DTF Printer Stops or Disconnects During Printing on Windows

Supported Operating Systems: Windows 10 / 11

Note: The screenshots in this guide are from Windows 10 and Windows 11. Menu names and screen locations may vary by Windows version, device, or driver. The goal of each step is the same. Follow the options shown on your screen.

1. Symptoms

Use this guide if any of the following happens:

  • A DTF print job stops before it is finished.
  • The control software or RIP software reports that the printer is disconnected or communication has failed.
  • Short print jobs finish normally. The printer disconnects during longer print jobs.

Why These Settings Are Needed

DTF print jobs may take a long time, and the computer may remain unattended. If Windows enters sleep mode during printing or turns off the USB network adapter connected to the printer, print data transmission will be interrupted.

The current print job usually cannot resume and must be printed again. This wastes DTF film and ink.

This guide only changes settings related to computer sleep and the printer’s USB network adapter. It does not change other system settings.

Applies To

LINKO DTF printers connected through a USB-to-Gigabit Ethernet adapter.

PrintExp is used with HOSON control boards. PM is used with BYHX control boards. Both are called the control software in this guide.

This guide uses PrintFactory RIP as the example. The same Windows settings apply to other RIP software.

2. Turn Off Windows Sleep Mode

2.1 Open the Power Settings

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Click System.
  3. Click Power.

(See Fig. 2.1-1 and Fig. 2.1-2)

Fig.2.1-1 Click System

2.1-1-Click-System
Fig.2.1-2 Click Power

2.1-2-Click-Power

2.2 Open Screen, sleep & hibernate time-outs

On the Power page, click Screen, sleep & hibernate time-outs.

(See Fig. 2.2)

Fig.2.2 Click Screen sleep & hibernate time outs

2.2-Click-Screen-sleep-&-hibernate-time-outs

2.3 Set the Sleep and Hibernate Times

Under Screen, sleep, & hibernate time-outs, set the following options to Never:

  • Make my device sleep after
  • Make my device hibernate after

You can keep the current setting for Turn my screen off after. Turning off the screen does not put the computer to sleep.

Keep this page open.

Note: The available options may vary by Windows version and device. If an option is not shown, skip that option.

(See Fig. 2.3)

Fig.2.3 Set Sleep And Hibernate To Never

2.3-Set-Sleep-And-Hibernate-To-Never

2.4 Turn Off Energy saver (If Shown)

  1. On the Power page, click Energy saver.
  2. Set Always use energy saver to Off.

(See Fig. 2.4)

Fig.2.4 Set Always use energy saver To Off

2.4-Set-Always-use-energy-saver-To-Off

Note: If Energy saver or Always use energy saver is not shown, skip this section.

3. Optimize Power Management for the USB Network Adapter (If Supported)

3.1 Open Device Manager

  1. Press Windows + X.
  2. Click Device Manager.
  3. Expand Network adapters.

(See Fig. 3.1-1 and Fig. 3.1-2)

Fig.3.1-1 Click Device Manager

3.1-1-Click-Device-Manager
Fig.3.1-2 Expand Network adapters

3.1-2-Expand-Network-adapters

3.2 Turn Off Power Saving for the USB Network Adapter

  1. Find the USB network adapter used to connect the printer. The example name in the figure is Realtek USB GbE Family Controller. The actual name may be different.

Note: Do not change the Wi-Fi adapter used for the internet. Do not change the built-in Ethernet adapter.

  1. Right-click the device and select Properties.
  2. Click the Power Management tab.
  3. Clear the Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power check box.
  4. Click OK.

(See Fig. 3.2-1 and Fig. 3.2-2)

Fig.3.2-1 Select Properties In Device Manager

3.2-1-Select-Properties-In-Device-Manager
Fig.3.2-2 Clear the Power Saving Check Box in Power Management

3.2-2-Clear-the-Power-Saving-Check-Box-in-Power-Management

Note:

  • Whether the Power Management tab is shown depends on the USB network adapter and its driver.
  • If the Power Management tab is not shown, you cannot change this setting here. Skip this section. Continue to Section 4.

4. Test Printing

After completing Sections 2 and 3, perform a test print.

  1. Close and reopen the control software. Confirm that it detects and connects to the printer.
  2. Print a job with a duration similar to the job that previously disconnected. A very short test job cannot verify the result.

Result

5. Set the Interface metric (Special Cases Only)

When to use this section: Use this section only when both of the following are true.

  1. The computer has more than one network connection enabled. For example, Wi-Fi or the built-in Ethernet adapter is used for the internet. A USB network adapter is used for the printer.
  2. LINKO Technical Support has confirmed that the network interface priority may affect printer communication.

Skip this section in normal cases.

5.1 Open Network Connections

  1. Press Windows + R.
  2. Enter ncpa.cpl. Click OK.

(See Fig. 5.1)

Fig.5.1 Enter ncpa.cpl and Click OK

5.1-Enter-ncpa.cpl-and-Click-OK

5.2 Open the USB Network Adapter Properties

  1. Find the USB network adapter used to connect the printer.

Note: Do not change the Wi-Fi adapter used for the internet. Do not change the built-in Ethernet adapter.

  1. Right-click the USB network adapter and select Properties.
  2. Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
  3. Click Advanced.

(See Fig. 5.2-1, Fig. 5.2-2, and Fig. 5.2-3)

Fig.5.2-1 Select Properties In Network Connections

5.2-1-Select-Properties-In-Network-Connections
Fig.5.2-2 Double click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP-IPv4)

5.2-2-Double-click-Internet-Protocol-Version-4-(TCP-IPv4)
Fig.5.2-3 Click Advanced

5.2-3-Click-Advanced

5.3 Set the Interface metric

  1. In the Advanced TCP/IP Settings window, clear the Automatic metric check box.
  2. Enter 5 in Interface metric.
  3. Click OK to save the setting.

(See Fig. 5.3-1 and Fig. 5.3-2)

Fig.5.3-1 Clear Automatic metric

5.3-1-Clear-Automatic-metric
Fig.5.3-2 Enter 5 and Click OK

5.3-2-Enter-5-and-Click-OK

Note: A lower Interface metric value gives the network interface a higher priority. If LINKO Technical Support gives you a different value, use that value.

5.4 Finish the Setup

  1. Close and reopen the control software. Confirm that the printer is connected. Then perform another test print.
  2. If the setting has no effect, restart the computer and test again.

If the problem continues, contact LINKO Technical Support.

LINKO Technical Support
Email: support@dtflinko.com
Website: www.dtflinko.com

© 2026 LINKO Technical Team. All rights reserved.
Reproduction or modification of this document without permission is prohibited.