Set Up a LINKO Printer USB Connection and Install the USB Driver

Operating System: Windows

Note: This guide uses the PM printer control software on the LINKO K605 as an example. For other printer control software, follow the actual software interface and use the USB driver folder for that printer model.

Before You Start: Confirm the Connection Type

Check the connection between the computer and the printer.

Use a USB cable: Computer USB port → USB cable → Printer USB port. Continue with this guide.

Use a USB 3.0 Gigabit Ethernet adapter and Ethernet cable: Stop using this guide. See Troubleshoot Printer Ethernet Connection and USB 3.0 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter.

0-1 Ethernet Connector And USB Cable Connector Comparison

0-1-Ethernet-Connector-And-USB-Cable-Connector-Comparison

Workflow:

Printer control software cannot connect to the printer → Confirm the USB cable connection → Check the physical connection→ Confirm that Windows detects the device → Install and confirm the driver → Check the printer control software connection status → Submit a small test job

Operation Requirement: Follow the steps in order. Do not skip earlier checks.

1. Troubleshooting Scope

1.1 Problems Covered by This Guide

Use this guide for a printer connected directly to a Windows computer with a USB cable in the following situations:

  • The printer control software cannot connect to the printer.
  • Windows cannot detect the printer, or the USB driver does not work correctly.
  • The printer USB driver installation fails, or the driver does not work correctly.
  • You need to reinstall the USB driver after replacing the computer or reinstalling Windows.

1.2 Problems Not Covered by This Guide

If the current problem matches one of the following situations, see the applicable guide:

Current Situation See
The printer is connected to the computer through a USB 3.0 Gigabit Ethernet adapter and Ethernet cable. Troubleshoot Printer Ethernet Connection and USB 3.0 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter
Windows detects the device and the printer control software shows a normal connection, but the RIP job cannot be sent or output. See the applicable print output mode or output path guide.
The computer is slow overall and several software applications are slow at the same time. Prepare the Printing Computer
PrintFactory has a cache, disk space, or Output Folder problem. Clear RIP Cache and Change the PrintFactory Output Folder

2. Check the Physical Connection and Windows Detection

2.1 Standard Connection Requirements

Follow these requirements throughout this guide:

  • Connect the computer directly to the printer with a USB cable. Do not use a USB hub or USB extension cable.
  • Fully insert both USB connectors. Make sure the connection is secure.
  • If you use a desktop computer, use a rear USB port first.

Note: If any requirement above is not met, the printer may fail to connect. Data transfer may also be unstable, or printing may stop.

2.2 Check the USB Connection

  1. Make sure the computer and printer are powered on.
  2. Make sure both ends of the USB cable are fully inserted and secure.
  3. If there is no response, unplug and reconnect the USB cable.
  4. If there is still no response, use another USB port on the computer and test again.

See Fig. 2.2 for a connection example.

2.2 USB Cable Connected Correctly

2.2-USB-Cable-Connected-Correctly

2.3 Check Whether Windows Detects the Printer

If the printer control software still cannot connect to the printer, confirm that Windows detects the printer USB device.

  1. Make sure no print job is running.
  2. Open Device Manager. Keep the window open.
  3. Expand Other devices and Universal Serial Bus controllers. The printer can appear in either category.
  4. Unplug the printer USB cable. Watch for a device to disappear.
  5. Reconnect the USB cable. Watch for the same device to reappear.

Pass Criteria: The device disappears when you unplug the USB cable. The same device reappears when you reconnect the cable. This is the USB device for the current printer.

Device names can vary by printer model. In this example, the device name is Cypress USB StreamerExample.

See Fig. 2.3-1 for the device categories. See Fig. 2.3-2 for the device identification example.

2.3-1 Check Other Devices And Universal Serial Bus Controllers

2.3-1-Check-Other-Devices-And-Universal-Serial-Bus-Controllers
2.3-2 Identify The Printer USB Device By Unplugging And Reconnecting The USB Cable

2.3-2-Identify-The-Printer-USB-Device-By-Unplugging-And-Reconnecting-The-USB-Cable

If Device Manager shows no device change after you unplug and reconnect the USB cable:

  1. Make sure the printer is powered on. Make sure the USB cable is connected directly and securely.
  2. Use another USB port on the computer and test again. For a desktop computer, use a rear USB port first.
  3. Unplug and reconnect the USB cable again. Watch Device Manager for a device change.

If there is still no device change, stop the driver installation and go to Section 5.

3. Install and Confirm the Printer USB Driver

3.1 Why the Driver Is Required

Windows uses the driver to identify the printer and establish communication.

If the driver is missing or does not work correctly, the printer control software may not connect to the printer.

3.2 Install the Driver

  1. In Device Manager, right-click the printer USB device confirmed in Section 2.3.
  2. Select Update driver.（See Fig. 3.2-1）
3.2-1 Select Update Driver

3.2-1-Select-Update-Driver
  1. Select Browse my computer for drivers. （See Fig. 3.2-2）
3.2-2 Select Browse My Computer For Drivers

3.2-2-Select-Browse-My-Computer-For-Drivers
  1. Confirm the printer USB driver folder.

The screenshots in this guide use PM as an example. In this example, use the PM installation folder as the driver search location. If you use PM, find the folder as follows:

  • Find the PM shortcut on the desktop.
  • Right-click the shortcut. Select Open file location. （See Fig. 3.2-3）
  • Check the address bar in File Explorer. Record the PM installation folder path. （See Fig. 3.2-4）

The PM installation folder name varies by software version. Do not copy the date or version number from the example.

If you use other printer control software, use the USB driver folder for that printer model. Do not use the PM example path.

3.2-3 Open The PM Software Location

3.2-3-Open-The-PM-Software-Location
3.2-4 View The PM Software Installation Folder Path

3.2-4-View-The-PM-Software-Installation-Folder-Path
  1. Return to the driver installation window. Click Browse. Select the USB driver folder. In the PM example, select the PM installation folder.
  2. Make sure Include subfolders is selected. Click Next. （See Fig. 3.2-5）
3.2-5 Select The Driver Search Location And Click Next

3.2-5-Select-The-Driver-Search-Location-And-Click-Next

3.3 Choose the Next Step Based on the Windows Message

Windows Message Meaning Next Step
Windows has successfully updated your drivers Windows completed this driver installation or update. Click Close. Then go to Section 4 and confirm the printer connection status in the printer control software.
The best drivers for your device are already installed Windows considers the current driver suitable. This message alone does not confirm that the required printer driver is correct. Click Close. Then go to Section 4 and confirm the printer connection status in the printer control software.
An error appears, Windows cannot find the driver, or the process cannot continue The driver installation did not complete. Record the message. Then go to Section 5.

See Fig. 3.3 for an example of “The best drivers for your device are already installed.”

3.3 Windows Did Not Replace The Current Driver

3.3-Windows-Did-Not-Replace-The-Current-Driver

4. Test the Connection and Complete the Verification

4.1 Confirm the USB Connection Status in the Printer Control Software

After the driver steps, open the printer control software.

Confirm that the printer control software detects the printer. The screenshots below use PM as an example:

  • The USB Connection Status in PM shows a green check mark: The printer is detected. Continue to Section 4.2.
  • The USB Connection Status in PM shows a red X: The printer is not detected. Confirm the device detection result in Section 2.3. Check the driver result in Section 3.3. If the printer still cannot connect, go to Section 5.

For other printer control software, use the printer connection status shown in the actual software interface.

4.1-1 PM Detects The Printer And Shows A Green USB Status Check Mark

4.1-1-PM-Detects-The-Printer-And-Shows-A-Green-USB-Status-Check-Mark
4.1-2 PM Does Not Detect The Printer And Shows A Red USB Status X

4.1-2-PM-Does-Not-Detect-The-Printer-And-Shows-A-Red-USB-Status-X

4.2 Submit a Small Test Job

  1. Submit a small test job.
  2. Confirm that the printer control software receives the job.
  3. Confirm that the printer starts printing.
  4. Confirm that the test job finishes without a communication interruption.

Pass Criteria: The small test job is received, starts printing, and finishes printing.

After these results are confirmed, the printer USB connection and driver installation are complete.

If the job is not received, printing does not start, or communication is interrupted, go to Section 5.

5. Problem Not Resolved

Provide the following information:

  • One photo of the USB connection between the printer and the computer. Show the computer, USB cable, and printer USB port in the same photo.
  • One Device Manager screenshot. Expand Other devices and Universal Serial Bus controllers.
  • One screenshot of the printer control software main window. Include the printer connection status area. If you use PM, include the USB Connection Status icon.
  • If a message or error appears during driver installation, provide one screenshot of the message.
  • Briefly state the step where the process stopped and describe what you see.

Information Rule: Provide only the minimum information above first. The technician will review it and decide whether more information is needed.

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

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