Plover Connection Help Guide

Having trouble connecting your steno writer to Plover? This guide walks you through the most common setup and connection problems in plain language.

Start Here: How Does Your Writer Connect?

Most Plover connection problems come down to the cable, driver, machine setting, or port. The first step is figuring out which type of connection your writer uses.

Section A: Writers That Use Serial or Realtime Cables

Use this section for writers that connect through a serial-style realtime cable. This includes many older Stentura writers.

1. Check the Cable Setup

Make sure the writer is connected in this order:

1. Plug the realtime cable into the writer.
2. Connect the realtime cable to the USB-to-serial adapter.
3. Plug the USB-to-serial adapter into the computer.
4. Turn the writer on.
5. Open Plover.

For the Stentura 200SRT/400SRT, the setup guide recommends installing the correct USB-to-serial driver, connecting the USB-to-serial adapter to the Stentura realtime cable, and then connecting the writer before configuring Plover.

2. Install the USB-to-Serial Driver

A USB-to-serial adapter is not just a cable. It is a small device that helps your computer read the writer’s realtime signal. If the driver is missing or incorrect, Plover may not see the writer.

Check the following:

• Did you install the driver for your USB-to-serial adapter?
• Did you install the driver before connecting the adapter?
• Is the adapter plugged directly into the computer?
• If you changed USB ports, did the COM port change?

3. Select the Correct Machine in Plover

Open Plover and go to:

Configure → Machine

For many Stentura serial connections, the machine setting should be:

Stentura

The Stentura 200SRT/400SRT quick guide notes that Plover defaults to Stentura, which is the correct setting for that writer.

4. Scan for the COM Port

In the Machine tab:

1. Click Scan.
2. Wait for Plover to find the COM port.
3. Select the new COM port if needed.
4. Click Apply.
5. Click OK.

5. Test with Paper Tape

After setup, click the Paper Tape icon in Plover and write a few strokes on your machine. If everything is working, your steno notes should start scrolling on the screen.

6. If the Writer Disconnects

If the writer was connected but stopped working, try reconnecting it in Plover:

File → Reconnect Writer

You can also use the keyboard shortcut:

Ctrl + R

Section B: Writers That Use Stenograph USB Drivers

Use this section if your writer connects by USB and uses Stenograph USB drivers or the Plover Stenograph plugin. This may apply to some newer Stenograph writers, depending on the model and operating system.

1. Install the Stenograph USB Driver or Plugin

Before troubleshooting Plover, make sure the required Stenograph USB driver or Plover plugin is installed. Plover’s own writer setup resources explain that some Stenograph USB setups require the Plover Stenograph plugin and, on Windows, the Stenograph Writer USB Drivers.

After installing the driver or plugin:

1. Restart the computer if prompted.
2. Connect the writer with the USB cable.
3. Turn the writer on.
4. Open Plover.

2. Select the Correct Machine in Plover

In Plover, go to:

Configure → Machine

For Stenograph USB setups, select the machine option recommended by Plover’s setup instructions, such as:

Stenograph USB

Do not choose Stentura unless your writer is using a serial/realtime cable setup.

3. Check the Port or Connection Setting

If Plover does not connect automatically, open the machine configuration and check the selected port or connection option. Windows may assign a port to the writer. If Plover is looking at the wrong port, the writer may appear disconnected.

1. Open Configure → Machine.
2. Confirm the correct machine type is selected.
3. Check the selected port or connection setting.
4. Click Apply.
5. Click OK.
6. Test in Paper Tape.

4. Test the Writer

Open Paper Tape in Plover and write a few strokes. If the connection is working, your steno should appear in the Paper Tape window.

If nothing appears, check:

• Is the writer turned on?
• Is the USB cable fully connected?
• Is the correct driver or plugin installed?
• Is the correct machine type selected in Plover?
• Is the correct port or connection option selected?

Quick Troubleshooting Checklist

Plover Opens but Says Disconnected

• Make sure the writer is turned on.
• Check all cable connections.
• Confirm the correct driver is installed.
• Confirm the correct machine type is selected in Plover.
• Try File → Reconnect Writer.
• Try Ctrl + R.

Plover Connects but No Steno Appears

• Open Paper Tape.
• Write a few strokes on the writer.
• Confirm the correct machine type is selected.
• Confirm the correct port or connection setting is selected.
• Click Apply and OK after making changes.
• Restart Plover and try again.

No COM Port Appears

This usually means the computer is not seeing the adapter or writer correctly.

• Is the USB-to-serial adapter plugged in?
• Is the correct adapter driver installed?
• Are you using the correct realtime cable?
• Did you try a different USB port?
• Did Windows assign a new COM port?
• Is the writer turned on?

Still Not Sure Which Setup You Have?

When to Contact StenoWorks

Contact us if you are not sure which cable, driver, or Plover setting applies to your writer. The more information you can provide, the faster we can help.

Please include:

• Your writer model
• Your computer type
• Your Windows, macOS, or Linux version
• The cable or adapter you are using
• The machine selected in Plover
• Any error message you see
• Whether Paper Tape shows steno strokes