Error on setup RTL-SDR (Error code -12)

I found this error when i try to setup my RTL-SDR on my PC. I use this same RTL-SDR on a laptop and works properly, indeed, i can use SDRsharp on this same PC and works.

When i try to setup on Matlab Hardware Setup, if fails on search ad connect and that error code -12 is displayed in the command window. I dont know what to do.

Thank you

[shakthivel s saravanan]

Friend,did you find a solution??.. Share it please. Thanks

Answer 1

[Edwin Wilson]

I found the fix after hours of scouring the Internet!

Install zadig -> Run it as administrator

In Options Check List All Devices >> Uncheck Ignore Hubs or Composite Devices

In drop down menu select the device saying RTL2838UHIDIR >> Click Replace Driver

Voila!

For reference : https://www.rtl-sdr.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1797

[DANIEL BURZEK]

Hi Edwin,

I tried the method you mentioned and it didn't seem to fix my error code -12 issue. Did you happen to come across any other tips? I'm coming up blank right now. I can get my RTL to run using the SDRSharp software, but Matlab doesn't seem to want to communicate with it.

[Ziv Glaser]

I've got the same problem ):

[shakthivel s saravanan]

Can anyone help me with this problem??.. If anyone found a working solution... Thanks and regards

[Kevin Epson]

This solution works! Thanks for posting

[RUI]

very useful solution! really works. Great appreciated

Answer 2

[John]

If you're using an RTL-SDR v4, what worked for me is updating the dongle driver inside the files for Mathworks's Communications Toolbox Support Package for RTL-SDR Radio after having already gone through the RTL-SDR v4 Quick Start Guide. In particular, I'm on Windows 11 x64, and I just replaced rtlsdr.dll at the following locations with the x64 version of the new driver:

1. C:\ProgramData\MATLAB\SupportPackages\R2025a\toolbox\shared\sdr\sdrr\bin\win64\rtlsdr.dll
2. C:\ProgramData\MATLAB\SupportPackages\R2025a\3P.instrset\rtlsdrradio.instrset\rtl-sdr\lib\win64\rtlsdr.dll
3. C:\ProgramData\MATLAB\SupportPackages\R2025a\3P.instrset\rtlsdrprecompiledlib.instrset\lib\rtlsdr.dll

I got my copy of the new driver from the SDR# x64 installation; note that I had to run "install-rtlsdr.bat" for the installer to download the driver first. You can also download the new driver for Windows/Linux/Mac at https://github.com/rtlsdrblog/rtl-sdr-blog.

Answer 3

[sadeq ebrahimi]

I have the same problem.

I can work with sdr sharp and ... but in matlab in "Test radio connection" it fail to find SDR.