Machine Won't Connect (MacOS)

This article explains how to connect a CNC machine to Easel on a Mac running macOS 13 (Ventura) or newer, and what to do if it won't connect.

Quick answer

• Easel connects to your machine straight from your browser using Web Serial, shown in Easel as Quick Connect. It's also called a driverless connection. There's nothing to install, so it's the fastest way to get connected.
• Web Serial works in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Opera. It doesn't work while the Easel Driver is installed.
• To connect, click Carve, click Connect machine, choose your machine from the list and click Connect.
• Only install the Easel Driver if your machine won't connect with Web Serial, or if you want it to reconnect automatically every time.

Before you connect

• Turn on your machine and release the emergency stop. Your Mac won't find your machine if it's off.
• Plug your machine straight into your Mac, not through a hub or a long extension cable. Use a USB data cable. Some cables only charge devices and can't carry data.
• Open Easel in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Opera.

Step 1: Allow Easel to find devices on your network

Easel needs your browser's permission to connect to your machine, with or without the Easel Driver. When your browser shows easel.com wants to look for and connect to any device on your local network, click Allow (1).

If you blocked or closed the prompt:

1. Click the icon to the left of the Easel address in your address bar (1).
2. Turn on Local network access (2).
3. Refresh Easel and try connecting again.

If the setting won't turn on, click Reset permission (3), refresh Easel and click Allow when the prompt appears again.

Step 2: Connect your machine with Web Serial

1. Open your project and click Carve. Easel shows You're ready to connect.
2. Under Quick Connect, click Connect machine (1).

3. Your browser shows easel.com wants to connect to a serial port. Choose your machine from the list (1). On a Mac, it's usually named something like cu.usbmodem or cu.usbserial.
4. Click Connect (2).

Easel walks you through homing and setup, and then you're ready to carve.

I chose the wrong device

Click Carve again to reopen the device list and choose your machine. If Easel keeps connecting to the wrong device, click the icon to the left of the Easel address in your address bar, remove the device from the list, then refresh Easel and try again.

My machine asks me to reconnect every time

Some machines reconnect on their own the next time you open Easel. Others ask you to choose them from the list each time you plug them in. If you'd rather connect automatically every time, use the Easel Driver. See If Web Serial doesn't work: connect with the Easel Driver.

Troubleshooting

My machine isn't in the device list

Check that your Mac can see your machine:

1. Hold the Option key, click the Apple menu and choose System Information.
2. Click USB in the sidebar (1).
3. Plug in your machine's USB cable. A new device, usually named something like USB Serial, should appear (2).

• Nothing appears: make sure your machine is on, then try a different USB port. If it still doesn't appear, try a different cable. Charge-only cables won't work.
• Your machine appears but still won't connect: an old driver may be blocking it. See An old driver is blocking the connection.

An old driver is blocking the connection

Older FTDI drivers, often installed with Wacom tablets, can stop Easel from connecting.

1. In Finder, choose Go > Go to Folder, type /Library/Extensions and press Return.
2. Look for files named like WacomTablet.kext, FTDIUSBSerialDriver.kext or FTDIKext.kext.
3. Drag them to the Trash, empty the Trash and restart your Mac.

There's no Connect machine button

Make sure you're using Chrome, Edge or Opera, and that the Easel Driver isn't installed.

My machine won't connect, or Easel says it can't find my machine

Only one tab or program can use your machine at a time. Close any other Easel tabs and software like UGS or Candle, then try again. Also turn your machine off and on, and make sure the emergency stop is released.

I have the Easel Driver, but Easel shows You're ready to connect

Click Install driver under Prefer the Easel Driver? This switches Easel to the Easel Driver connection. See If Web Serial doesn't work: connect with the Easel Driver.

The connection drops during a carve

Use a shorter, shielded USB cable, don't use an unpowered hub, and keep the cable away from spindle and motor wires.

If Web Serial doesn't work: connect with the Easel Driver

The Easel Driver is a small program that runs on your Mac. Use it only if your machine won't connect with Web Serial, or if you want your machine to reconnect automatically every time.

Already have the Easel Driver installed?

If the Easel Driver is installed but Easel still shows You're ready to connect when you click Carve, click Install driver (2). This switches Easel to the Easel Driver connection, so you don't need to install the driver again.

1. Install the Easel Driver

1. Click Carve, then click Install driver (2) under Prefer the Easel Driver? You can also download it from easel.com/downloads.
2. Open the installer and enter your Mac password when asked.
3. Quit your browser completely, open it again and sign in to Easel.

For more detail, see Download and Install New Easel Drivers.

2. Connect your machine

1. Click Carve. Easel should find your machine automatically.
2. If Easel still asks you to install the Easel Driver, restart your Mac.

If Easel keeps asking you to install the driver, see Network settings prevent Easel from communicating with the Easel Driver.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need the Easel Driver?

No. Most machines connect with Web Serial, which needs no download. Only install the Easel Driver if Web Serial doesn't work for your machine.

Which browsers work with Web Serial?

Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Opera.

Can I use Web Serial and the Easel Driver at the same time?

No. Web Serial doesn't work while the Easel Driver is installed. To switch back to Web Serial, uninstall the driver and restart your Mac.

Using Windows?

See Machine Won't Connect (Windows).

Still need help?

Submit a request and include:

• Your machine's make and model
• Your browser and macOS version
• Whether you're connecting with Web Serial or the Easel Driver
• A screenshot of System Information > USB with your machine plugged in