Printer Network Connection and USB 3.0 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter Troubleshooting Guide

1. Scope

1.1 What This Guide Covers

This guide applies to:

• Connecting the printer with an Ethernet cable and a USB Ethernet Adapter.
• The control software cannot connect to the printer.
• Windows does not detect the USB Ethernet Adapter.
• The USB Ethernet Adapter’s LED indicator does not light up.
• The computer’s IP address is set incorrectly.
• The printer’s IP address in the control software is set incorrectly.
• The print job pauses randomly.
• The network connection is unstable.

1.2 What This Guide Does Not Cover

2. Check the Physical Connection

2.1 Connection Requirements

These requirements apply to every step in this guide:

• Use the LINKO USB Ethernet Adapter, or another USB 3.0 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter with the same specifications.
• Plug the USB Ethernet Adapter into a USB 3.0 port on the computer.
• Use the original LINKO Ethernet cable.
• Do not use a USB hub.
• Do not use a USB extension cable.
• Do not connect through a router or network switch.
• If you use a laptop, keep the power adapter connected.

(See Fig.2.1)

If you skip any requirement, the printer may fail to connect. The connection may also become unstable. The print job may pause.

2.1-USB-3.0-Gigabit-Ethernet-Adapter

2.2 Check the Adapter and Cable

Check the following:

1. The computer and the printer are turned on.
2. The USB Ethernet Adapter is fully plugged in.
3. Both ends of the Ethernet cable are fully plugged in.
4. The LED indicator lights up.
5. The LED lights up or flashes after the Ethernet cable is connected.
6. The network port is not loose or damaged.
7. The LED remains on or flashes during printing.

(See Fig.2.2-1/Fig.2.2-2 )

2.2-1-USB-Ethernet-Adapter-Connected-Correctly

2.2-2-USB-Ethernet-Adapter-Connected-Incorrectly

2.3 If the Adapter Is Not Detected

If the LED indicator does not light up, or Windows does not detect the USB Ethernet Adapter, follow these steps in order:

1. Confirm that no print job is running.
2. Unplug and reconnect the USB Ethernet Adapter.
3. Try a different USB 3.0 port on the computer.
4. If you use a desktop computer, use a USB 3.0 port on the back of the case first.
5. Press Windows + R.
6. Type ncpa.cpl.
7. Click OK.
8. In Network Connections, find the network adapter for the USB Ethernet Adapter.

Important: Do not change the settings of your Wi-Fi adapter, your computer’s built-in Ethernet adapter, or any other network adapter. Changing the wrong adapter may disconnect the computer from the internet.

How to find the correct network adapter:

• Keep the Network Connections window open.
• Unplug the USB Ethernet Adapter.
• Note which network adapter disappears.
• Plug the USB Ethernet Adapter back in.
• Note which network adapter reappears.

The network adapter that disappears and reappears is the one for your USB Ethernet Adapter.

Its name usually includes:

• USB Ethernet
• Realtek USB GbE
• ASIX

It may also appear as Unidentified Network.
Use this only as a reference. Confirm the correct adapter by unplugging and reconnecting the USB Ethernet Adapter. (See Fig. 2.3)

2.3-Identify-the-USB-Ethernet-Adapter-in-Network-Connections

9. If Windows still does not detect the USB Ethernet Adapter, test another USB Ethernet Adapter with the same specifications.

If the replacement works, the original USB Ethernet Adapter may be faulty. Continue to Section 3.

If the replacement does not work, stop here. Do not continue to the IP settings. Go to Section 6.

3. Set a Static IP Address for the Computer

3.1 Why You Need a Static IP Address

The control software needs to know: “Which device should receive the print data?”

Check the IP address in these three locations:

Common mistakes:

• A static IP address is not set for the computer’s network adapter.
• The first three number groups of the computer IP and the printer IP do not match.
• The computer IP address and the printer IP address are identical.
• The IP address in the control software does not match the printer’s actual IP address.

IP Address Note: The computer network adapter IP address shown in this guide is an example only. When setting the IP address for the computer’s network adapter, keep the first three segments the same as the printer IP address, and set the last segment to any unused number between 100 and 250. It must not be the same as the printer IP address. In this example, 192.168.127.100 is used.

3.2 Set a Static IP Address for the Computer

The first three number groups of the computer IP and the printer IP must match. The last number group must be different.

Example:

Check the following:

• The first three number groups of the computer IP address match the printer IP address.
• The last number group is different.
• Do not assign the same IP address to two devices.

3.3 Full Step-by-Step Guide

Section 2.3 already opened the Windows Network Connections list.

If you do not know how to find the correct network adapter, or how to set the IPv4 address, see:

Configure USB Ethernet Adapter and Static IP

This guide shows you how to:

• Find the USB Ethernet Adapter connected to the printer.
• Open the IPv4 settings.
• Enter a static IP address for the computer.
• Enter the subnet mask.
• Save the settings.

When finished, return to this guide and continue to Section 4.

4. Check the Printer IP Address in the Control Software

Section 3 sets the computer’s IP address.

This section checks the printer’s IP address in the control software.

Do not mix up the two addresses:

4.1 Check the Communication Settings in the Control Software

Steps:

1. Open PrintExp.
2. Open the network or connection settings.
3. Find the field for the printer’s IP address.
4. Check that this address matches the printer’s actual IP address.
5. If the printer’s IP address is 192.168.127.10, enter 192.168.127.10 in the control software too.
6. Do not enter the computer’s IP address in this field.
7. Save the settings.
8. Restart PrintExp.
9. Reconnect the printer.

4.1-PrintExp-Printer-IP-Settings

4.2 Choose Your Next Step

If the printer still does not connect after these checks, go to Section 6.1.

4.3 Send a Small Test Job

1. Send a small test print job from the RIP software.
2. Confirm PrintExp receives the job.
3. Start printing.
4. Confirm the job prints completely.
5. Confirm the control software stays connected.

If the connection and the print job are both normal, you are done.

If printing starts but pauses randomly, continue to Section 5.

5. Troubleshoot Unstable Connections and Random Pauses

This section applies to:

• The print job pauses randomly.
• The print job stops without an error message.
• Large images or long jobs stop more often.
• The control software disconnects occasionally.

5.1 Disable Sleep and Adapter Power Saving

For detailed illustrated steps, see:
Disable Windows Sleep & Network Adapter Power Saving

Do this before you test a large or long print job again.

Disable computer sleep mode:

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type powercfg.cpl.
3. Click OK.
4. Click Change plan settings next to your current power plan.
5. Set “Put the computer to sleep” to Never.
6. Save the settings.

Disable USB Ethernet Adapter power saving:

1. Right-click Start.
2. Open Device Manager.
3. Expand Network adapters.
4. Find the USB Ethernet Adapter connected to the printer.
5. Right-click the USB Ethernet Adapter.
6. Click Properties.
7. Open the Power Management tab.
8. Clear the checkbox: “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”
9. Click OK.

If you do not see a Power Management tab, skip this step.

If you use a laptop, keep the power adapter connected.

When finished, restart PrintExp.

5.2 Send a Test Job

1. Send a small test print job.
2. Confirm it prints completely.
3. Send the original large or long print job.
4. Watch for pauses during printing.
5. Check if the LED indicator turns off during a pause.

5.3 Choose Your Next Step

6. Final Check & Minimum Information to Provide

6.1 Final Quick Check

Before you contact support, confirm these 5 items:

1. The USB Ethernet Adapter is plugged into a USB 3.0 port.
2. Windows shows the USB Ethernet Adapter in the Network Connections list.
3. The first three number groups of the computer IP address and the printer IP address match. The last number group is different.
4. The printer’s IP address in the control software matches the printer’s actual IP address.
5. You saved the settings and restarted PrintExp.

If any item is incorrect, fix it. Then test the connection again.

If all 5 items are correct, but the printer still does not connect, provide the minimum information below.

6.2 Cannot Connect: Information to Provide

• One photo showing the computer, the USB Ethernet Adapter, the cable, and the printer.
• One screenshot of the computer’s IP settings.
• One screenshot of the printer IP setting in PrintExp.
• A short description of the problem, for example: “Cannot connect” or the exact error message.

6.3 Random Pauses: Information to Provide

• One short video showing the print job and the LED indicator.
• A short note on how long the print job runs before it pauses.

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

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