The issue

You have completed the machine setup as outlined in the manual, but upon restarting, you notice that Roasting Intelligence (RI) displays "No sources connected" in the bottom right corner.

The solution

The two most common reasons for a failed connection:

1. The physical connection itself.
2. The incorrectly set preferences.

• Cropster Connector or Phidgets
• Network connection
• USB connection

Cropster Connector or Phidgets

If your roast machine is connected by the help of a Cropster Connector (Phidgets), one of the following reasons might apply: 

• Incorrect or outdated Phidgets driver
• The Phidgets driver is blocked by the system (macOS only)
• Another temperature logging system is running

Incorrect or outdated Phidgets driver

The Cropster Connector (Phidgets) requires a driver to work. 
Make sure you run the latest driver available for your operating system.

1. Navigate here and download the latest driver for your operating system. 
2. Follow the installation steps. 
3. Disconnect the Phidgets from the computer and reconnect them. 
4. Open the Roasting Intelligence (RI).

The Phidgets driver is blocked by the system (macOS)

1. Close the Roasting Intelligence and other temperature logging programs (e.g., Phidgets control panel) that might access the Phidgets.
2. Navigate to > System Settings > Privacy & Security
3. You will see a message: System software from developer "Phidgets Inc." was blocked from loading at this point. You need to click Allow.
   You may need to click the Lock symbol in the bottom left corner of your Security & Privacy menu to make this change.
4. Disconnect the Phidgets from the computer and reconnect them. 
5. Open the Roasting Intelligence (RI).

Another temperature logging program is running

The Phidgets can only communicate with one software at a time. 

1. Check if there is another temperature logging program running that accesses the Phidgets such as Artisan or Phidgets Control Panel. 
2. Close all programs and restart Roasting Intelligence (RI) only. 

Network Connection

When your roast machine is linked to your computer using a network cable, Roasting Intelligence (RI) establishes communication with the roast machine through its designated IP address.

Connection issues may arise for one or more of the following reasons:

• No static IP address set up
• An incorrectly configured Static IP address 
• Roaster's IP address is not the default
• Network conflict

No static IP address set up
 

• If your roast machine is connected directly to your computer, it's essential to configure a static IP address in the network settings of your computer.
• A static IP address is essential for your computer to locate the roast machine, particularly when the roaster is connected directly to the PC.
• To set up a static IP address, please refer to the Network setup section of your machine manual.
   

An incorrectly configured static IP address 

The configuration of static IP settings should adhere to a specific format:

• The first three number blocks of the static IP address need to match the roast machine's IP. 
• The last number block must not match the roast machine's IP. We usually use 42.
• The subnet mask is always 255.255.255.0

1. Open the Roasting Intelligence (RI).
2. Navigate to Preferences > Machine > Configuration.
3. Click the Gear icon located beside the measurements to access the IP settings.
   

   

4. Make a note of the IP address displayed in this section for future reference.
5. Open the Network settings where you set the static IP address.
6. Check if the static IP address and the subnet mask match the pattern outlined above. 
7. If not, revise the static IP address settings and restart RI. 

Roaster's IP address is not the default

Depending on the machine manufacturer, your roast machine has a default IP address assigned. This is usually the IP address outlined in the machine setup manual. 

In some cases, the roast machine's IP address differs from the default.

To find out the IP address assigned to your roaster (which differs depending on the machine model): 

• Look for an IP address in the network settings on your roast machine's display
• Closely watch the boot-up screen when you switch on the roast machine (the IP address might appear shortly)
• Reach out to the machine manufacturer or seller

If you confirmed the IP address of your roaster is not the same as we outline in our manuals, follow the steps below:

1. Open the Roasting Intelligence (RI).
2. Navigate to Preferences > Machine > Configuration.
3. Click the Gear icon located beside the Bean temperature measurement to access the IP settings.
4. Replace the IP address with the specific IP address for your roast machine.
5. If the roast machine is connected to the PC directly, you need to adjust the static IP address according to the pattern outlined below:
   
   • The first three number blocks of the static IP address need to match the roast machine's IP. 
   • The last number block must not match the roast machine's IP. We usually use 42.
   • The subnet mask is always 255.255.255.0

Network conflict

If there is another device on the local network, such as a Wi-Fi connection, that operates within the same IP subnet as your roast machine, Roasting Intelligence (RI) may struggle to read temperature data from the roaster, resulting in inconsistent or flashing temperature readings.

To determine if there is an IP conflict, it's important to inspect the IP subnet of your WiFi connection.

Windows 

1. Type Control in the search and open the Control Panel.
2. Click on Network and Internet. 
3. Click Network and Sharing Center. 
4. Select the Network Connection you would like to check. 
5. Click "Details..."
6. Your Subnet Mask will be listed under the Network Connection Details section. 

MacOS

1. Navigate to > System Settings > Network.
2. Click your network and select "Details..."
3. Navigate to TCP/IP on the left side of the screen. 

To illustrate this more clearly, consider the following examples:

Example 1:

• Your roaster's IP: 192.168.2.180
• Wifi: 192.168.3.130

✅: Not IP conflict

Example 2:

• Your roaster's IP: 192.168.2.180
• Wifi: 192.168.2.130

❌: IP conflict, as the first three blocks are matching.
💡To resolve the conflict, contact your network administrator and request a change to the IP address that is causing the issue.

Here are a few alternative solutions you can consider:

• Connect your roast machine to the DHCP-capable router and remove the static IP address.
• Eliminate the conflicting IP address by, e.g., temporarily turning off the wifi connection, changing to a different network, or connecting via a mobile hotspot.

USB Connection (serial converter)

If your roast machine is connected to your computer via a USB cable, the connection issue can be caused by the following reasons:

• The wrong serial port was selected in the RI settings
• USB to serial converter not recognized

The wrong serial port was selected in the RI settings

When you connect the machine, the Roasting Intelligence (RI) settings will display a list of all available serial ports.

If you are unsure which serial port option is referring to your roast machine, follow the steps below: 

1. Open Roasting Intelligence (RI). 
2. Navigate to Preferences > Machine > Configuration.
3. Click the Gear icon located beside the Bean temperature measurement to open the connector settings. 
4. If you are unsure which serial port corresponds to your roast machine, first disconnect the machine.
5. Then, click the Update button to refresh the list of available ports.
6. Afterward, reconnect the roast machine and click the Update button again to see which port is now associated with it. If a new option appears, this is the one referring to the roast machine.
7. Select the correct serial port and save your changes. 

If you're still encountering issues, please try each of the available options before proceeding to the next section of this article. 

USB to serial converter not recognized

To find out what driver is required, try the following: 

• Check the roast machine's manual or reach out to the manufacturer for the recommended driver. 
• Open the control tower of your roast machine and try to get to the backside of the USB port.
  Look for the serial converter and check if there is a label that provides a reference number. Look for the "reference number + serial driver" on the internet.
• Take a picture of the backside of the USB port inside the control tower and reach out to our Support team for help. We are here for you. 

Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to resolve connection issues in Roasting Intelligence (RI). 

Your opinion matters. If you have further questions, feedback, or concerns, please submit a support ticket directly from support.cropster.com.