1. Got a question or need help troubleshooting? Post to the troubleshooting forum or Search the forums!

Solved COM port communication problems

Discussion in 'Troubleshooting' started by allen33, Feb 1, 2017.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. allen33

    allen33 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2017
    Messages:
    64
    Likes Received:
    4
    So basically what is going on is that my robo 3d r1+ is connecting to my computer ok for a few minutes and then displays a communication error and disconnects. This printer has a little over 13 days of total print in case that has something to do with the problems I am having.. I am in need of major help..
     
    #1 allen33, Feb 1, 2017
  2. WheresWaldo

    WheresWaldo Volunteer ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2015
    Messages:
    5,905
    Likes Received:
    3,593
    Possible symptoms
    • Bad USB cable
    • Computer timing out USB port when going to sleep
    • Corrupted Arduino drivers
     
    #2 WheresWaldo, Feb 2, 2017
    mark tomlinson likes this.
  3. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    23,912
    Likes Received:
    7,338
    To expand on that just a bit...

    The cable is one that rears its head every so often. If you are like me you have a collection of USB cables laying around and grab one when needed you may want to just go buy a new (good quality) one.

    The printer uses a lot of USB bandwidth (a lot of high-speed talk) and if the cable is starting to show its age or if it is a cheaper one you can get dropped communications to the printer. It can sometimes recover from this (and just talk effectively slower due to dropped packets) but it can also cause a lot of printer issues.
     
    #3 mark tomlinson, Feb 2, 2017
  4. Rigmarol

    Rigmarol Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2016
    Messages:
    544
    Likes Received:
    280
    And to expand on the expansion...

    I also had the same issue in the beginning.
    My issue was I damaged the cable. I had turned the printer on its side to remove the bottom and didn't unplug the USB cable. cable was on the bottom (while the printer was on its side) and the pressure of the printer basically killed my USB cable. I bought a new one and life was good from then on.

    If it's only a few minutes printing each time though, I'd put my bets on it being a sleep or timeout setting on the PC. Turn off all powersaving, screen saver, security screen or anything that locks your PC if you step away for "a few minutes".
     
    #4 Rigmarol, Feb 2, 2017
  5. allen33

    allen33 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2017
    Messages:
    64
    Likes Received:
    4
    I don't have any sleep settings or timeout settings enabled on my computer for that very reason.. My best guess is it's probably a USB cable issue.
     
    #5 allen33, Feb 2, 2017
    Rigmarol likes this.
  6. allen33

    allen33 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2017
    Messages:
    64
    Likes Received:
    4
    How would I check to see if the Arduino drivers are corrupt and fix them?
     
    #6 allen33, Feb 3, 2017
  7. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    23,912
    Likes Received:
    7,338
    Just reinstall them.
     
    #7 mark tomlinson, Feb 3, 2017
  8. allen33

    allen33 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2017
    Messages:
    64
    Likes Received:
    4
    how do I reinstall them if I cannot communicate with my printer with the standard usb connection that I use all the time to print?
     
    #8 allen33, Feb 3, 2017
  9. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    23,912
    Likes Received:
    7,338
    Install the Arduino IDE or

    1. Click on the Start Menu, and open up the Control Panel.
    2. While in the Control Panel, navigate to System and Security. ...
    3. Look under Ports (COM & LPT). ...
    4. Right click on the "Arduino UNO (COmxx)" port and choose the "Update Driver Software" option.
     
    #9 mark tomlinson, Feb 3, 2017
  10. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    23,912
    Likes Received:
    7,338
    But in all honesty, my experience has been this is normally a bad cable (if the computer is not sleeping).
     
    #10 mark tomlinson, Feb 3, 2017
  11. allen33

    allen33 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2017
    Messages:
    64
    Likes Received:
    4
    when I tried to tell it to update using the com port it told me that the device was up to date. suggestions?
     
    #11 allen33, Feb 3, 2017
  12. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    23,912
    Likes Received:
    7,338
    Bad cable.
     
    #12 mark tomlinson, Feb 3, 2017
  13. allen33

    allen33 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2017
    Messages:
    64
    Likes Received:
    4
    I have tried several different usb cables and I don't think they are the problem
     
    #13 allen33, Feb 3, 2017
  14. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    23,912
    Likes Received:
    7,338
    It has to be the USB cable or the arduinio itself.
    Usually the cable for the reasons here and not the Arduino board.
    However if you are sure it is not the cable or the drivers that is what is left.
     
    #14 mark tomlinson, Feb 3, 2017
  15. allen33

    allen33 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2017
    Messages:
    64
    Likes Received:
    4
    I can go out and buy a new one but if that doesn't fix it I will be lost
     
    #15 allen33, Feb 3, 2017
  16. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    23,912
    Likes Received:
    7,338
    No, if you eliminate the cable and the software drivers all that is left is the electronics :)
    Fortunately those are cheap too,
     
    #16 mark tomlinson, Feb 3, 2017
  17. allen33

    allen33 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2017
    Messages:
    64
    Likes Received:
    4
    so I just got the new cord and tried it. I got as far as hitting go and then it disconnected due to a communication error. whats next??
     
    #17 allen33, Feb 3, 2017
  18. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    23,912
    Likes Received:
    7,338
    Is the fan on the bottom of the printer running all the time when it is turned on?

    If so then it is time to consider testing from another computer.

    If all else fails it will be time to look at the printer electronics. Under warranty you should already be talking to them about this. Out of warranty we can sort you out.
     
    #18 mark tomlinson, Feb 3, 2017
  19. allen33

    allen33 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2017
    Messages:
    64
    Likes Received:
    4
    the fan on the bottom is running. I'm going to try a different computer. I also can't get a email response from them
     
    #19 allen33, Feb 3, 2017
  20. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    23,912
    Likes Received:
    7,338
    Call them. Email takes longer. They have 24x7 tech support, although you may need to talk to a tier 2 person... Not sure what coverage those have.
     
    #20 mark tomlinson, Feb 3, 2017
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page