diff --git a/drivers/tty/serial/sc16is7xx.c b/drivers/tty/serial/sc16is7xx.c
index 39f92eb1e6989b..9f83ba39a9cd1b 100644
--- a/drivers/tty/serial/sc16is7xx.c
+++ b/drivers/tty/serial/sc16is7xx.c
@@ -1173,6 +1173,10 @@ static int sc16is7xx_startup(struct uart_port *port)
 			      SC16IS7XX_EFR_ENABLE_BIT,
 			      SC16IS7XX_EFR_ENABLE_BIT);
 
+	/* Set word length to 8 bits. */
+	/* This also clears Divisor Latch bit, returning registers to normal mode. */
+	sc16is7xx_port_write(port, SC16IS7XX_LCR_REG, SC16IS7XX_LCR_WORD_LEN_8);
+
 	/* Enable TCR/TLR */
 	sc16is7xx_port_update(port, SC16IS7XX_MCR_REG,
 			      SC16IS7XX_MCR_TCRTLR_BIT,
@@ -1184,10 +1188,12 @@ static int sc16is7xx_startup(struct uart_port *port)
 			     SC16IS7XX_TCR_RX_RESUME(24) |
 			     SC16IS7XX_TCR_RX_HALT(48));
 
-	regcache_cache_bypass(s->regmap, false);
+	/* Disable TCR/TLR */
+	sc16is7xx_port_update(port, SC16IS7XX_MCR_REG,
+			      SC16IS7XX_MCR_TCRTLR_BIT,
+			      ~SC16IS7XX_MCR_TCRTLR_BIT);
 
-	/* Now, initialize the UART */
-	sc16is7xx_port_write(port, SC16IS7XX_LCR_REG, SC16IS7XX_LCR_WORD_LEN_8);
+	regcache_cache_bypass(s->regmap, false);
 
 	/* Enable IrDA mode if requested in DT */
 	/* This bit must be written with LCR[7] = 0 */