Your Lightform device needs to be connected to the same network as your computer before it can operate.

Our preferred and recommended choices are Ethernet and Wi-Fi pairing, with Ethernet being our most robust option. Refer to the test card for information about your Lightform device's connectivity status.

Option 1: Wi-Fi (uses internet connection)

Pairing your Lightform device to a supported Wi-Fi network is the most convenient option as it does not require additional setup materials. Follow the instructions for the Wi-Fi pairing workflow or troubleshoot your pairing issues by using our step-by-step pairing guide. 

See our most common pairing issues explained here. 

Here is an example of what it looks like to be successfully connected via a Wi-Fi network:

Option 2: Ethernet (can be used with or without internet connection)

Connecting the Lightform device directly to your router makes the connection both reliable and fast. Thus, this option is the best for permanent installations. The wired network must be connected to a router, using a switch without a router is not supported directly.

To connect your Lightform device to a router using an ethernet cable:

1. Locate your router
2. Plug one end of the ethernet cable into the Lightform device and the other into the router. If you have a switch connected to your router, you can plug one end into the Lightform device and one end into the switch.
3. Power on your Lightform device
4. Connect your computer to the same network as your router, through Wi-Fi or an Ethernet connection directly to your computer.
5. Open Lightform Creator
6. Click "New Project" and locate your device on the 'Select a Lightform Device' page. 
   1. If you do not see your device appear, do not try to go through the Wi-Fi pairing steps (see why here), just make sure that your computer is on the same network that is associated to your ethernet router. 

Option 3: Mobile Hotspot (uses hotspot connection)

This option works well when you are on-the-go, when you need to set up a new connection often, or when you are in a new environment with unknown networking conditions.

To use a data connection from a cellphone (Wi-Fi or cellular):

1. Create a hotspot on your phone. See how: Apple, Android, Windows
2. (Android and Windows phones may vary)
3. Power on your Lightform device
4. Follow the Wi-Fi Pairing process to pair to the mobile hotspot network.

Note - If after you've successfully paired to your hotspot, your computer disconnects from the hotspot network or connects to a different network in range, you will lose connection in Lightform Creator.

Option 4: Lightform device's Wi-Fi (Pairing Mode) (does not use internet)

If you have no internet connection, you can connect to the Lightform device's network and remain connected to the device this way.

If you follow this method, your test card will stay purple (it will not be green). Green indicates there is an internet connection, whereas with Pairing Mode, there is no internet. 

This can be confusing, given you have to put your device into pairing mode to complete the wi-fi pairing process, however, if you've already updated your firmware, when your device is in Pairing Mode, you actually have two options: 

1. You can complete the Wi-Fi pairing workflow in Lightform Creator to pair your device to a Wi-Fi network
2. You can connect to your device and use it without the internet. 

To learn more about the difference between putting your device into pairing mode and using it as a connection type without the internet, check out this video. 

To connect to your Lightform device via pairing mode:

1. Power on your Lightform device
2. If it is not already, put your Lightform device into Pairing Mode
3. Change your computer's Wi-Fi network to the Lightform device's Wi-Fi (e.g., 'Lightform Dazzling Faerie')
4. You are now using the device in pairing mode without the internet. For this option to work, your computer must be connected to the Lightform Device's network. If your computer switches to another network, the device will no longer appear in Lightform Creator to connect to.

Here is an example of what it looks like to be successfully connected via Pairing Mode (without internet): 

You'll be able to scan, stream, and publish content to the Lightform device without an internet connection!

Option 5: Share Internet Connection From Your Computer (uses internet connection)

This option gives your computer direct ethernet access to the Lightform device for the fastest experience. It also provides the Lightform device internet access in situations where a captive portal guards your internet, such as the login screen at a hotel or coffee shop.

To directly connect to the Lightform device's ethernet port from your computer, you must have:

• Internet access over Wi-Fi from your computer
• An ethernet cable and ethernet adapter

Windows

To enable internet connection sharing in windows, follow the instructions below.

1. Turn on your Lightform device.
2. Make sure to connect your laptop/computer to the internet (either through Wi-Fi/mobile hotspot or through a secondary Ethernet port)
3. Attach an Ethernet cable from your Lightform device to your PC.
4. On your computer, in the bottom right-hand tray, right-click the network icon (either a Wi-Fi signal icon or Ethernet/PC icon, depending on which you connect to)
5. Select "Open Network & Internet settings."
6. From the window that opens, select "Change adapter options."
7. Determine the adapter that is providing Internet for you (either Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
8. Right-click the correct adapter and select "Properties."
9. Click the "Sharing" tab.
10. Check the first checkbox ("Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection"); this is how the Lightform device will connect.
11. Press OK to save these settings.
12. Within about 30 seconds, the device should make the connection, and show up as Online in Lightform Creator.
13. Open Lightform Creator
14. Click "New Project" and locate your device.
15. If you still do not see it, try unplugging and re-plugging in the Ethernet cable going from your computer to your LFC.

To undo network sharing:
Repeat the same steps as above, except that you should ensure the "Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection" checkbox is *unchecked*

Mac

To enable internet connection sharing on a Mac, follow the instructions below.

1. Open System Preferences and select Network
2. Identify the network interface with the direct ethernet connection to the Lightform device (we are using Linksys USB adapter in this example.)
3. Return to the System Preferences screen and select Sharing
4. Select Internet Sharing from the service list, but do not turn it on. Do this by only clicking on the Internet Sharing text (and not selecting the checkbox)
5. Select Wi-Fi from the Share your connection from the dropdown
6. Select the network interface connected to the Lightform device in the list of available network interfaces under To computers using: (e.g., 'Linksys USB')
7. Click the checkbox next to Internet Sharing.
8. A pop-up will appear, making sure that you want to share your internet connection. Select Start

Option 6: Direct Ethernet Connection (no internet sharing)

See how to enable this on mac or windows via the following articles: 

• Direct Ethernet Connection on PC (not Internet Sharing)
• Direct Ethernet Connection on MacOS (not Internet Sharing)