"Communication Error!" - First Thing To Check

[Doug Fisher]

If you are trying to send files or commands to your laser but you keep getting the "Communication Error!" box, before you start the common sense things of checking the USB cable, Ethernet port settings, rebooting to clear a conflict with LightBurn, etc., check to make sure your correct Ruida controller number is still the one checked in the "Model" drop down list within RDWorks software itself. Occasionally, this setting somehow just gets messed up for no apparent reason. If you see "Auto" checked in the list but no other actual model number also checked on the list, that is a good indication something is messed up. Tonight was the second or third time this has happened to me. I spent a great deal of time checking so many different things and could not solve the problem. Just before I gave up and shut down for the night, I finally remembered this "trick" that had solved my problem in the past. Luckily, it worked again tonight (once I remembered it!).

[Gene Uselman]

Doug, which version of RDw were you using, I have never had that happen in three years [ have used up to V.19].

[Doug Fisher]

Someone else on one of the forums posted about this solution/trick quite some time ago. I have used multiple versions of RDWorks starting at .18 but am now using .33 most of the time and it happened with the .33 version last night. I still have .18 installed as a backup on my main workstation although not on the laptop next to the laser. I can't specifically remember what version I was running the last time it happened but it was before .33.

[Willy Ivy]

Just a thought. You mentioned RDWorks and Lighburn. If I want to use RDWorks, I CAN NOT have Lightburn open at all or I get a communication error. I must close Lightburn to run RDworks to my laser.

[Doug Fisher]

True, Willy, I have experienced that too. This was different though. It occurred even after rebooting and only running RDWorks (never running LB at any time).