Connection Issues

MetaGrid Pro connects to MetaServer over USB, Wi-Fi/LAN, or Local connection on the same Mac. If something does not connect, start with the symptom you see.

Find Your Symptom

Connections

• My computer does not appear
• My computer appears, but tapping it does not connect
• USB charges the iPad, but does not connect
• USB stops working after sleep, restart, or hibernation
• Wi-Fi, LAN, VPN, or router isolation problems
• PC Wi-Fi is off, but Ethernet is connected
• Transport button is dimmed
• One iPad connects but another does not
• Black screen or sleep/wake recovery

MetaServer and Reporting

• Mac Local Network permission
• Windows USB requirements
• TCP, UDP, and IPv6
• MetaServer was blocked or removed
• When to send logs

Start Here

My Computer Does Not Appear

If the computer is missing from Available Computers, MetaGrid Pro has not discovered MetaServer yet.

Check these first:

• Make sure MetaServer is running on your Mac or Windows PC.
• Make sure MetaGrid Pro and MetaServer are compatible versions.
• If you use Wi-Fi/LAN, make sure the iPad and computer are on the same network.
• If you use USB, make sure the cable supports data, not only charging.
• Tap Refresh on the Connection Screen and wait a few seconds.

On Mac, also check System Settings > Privacy & Security > Local Network and make sure MetaServer is enabled. See System Access & Permissions.

On Windows, check that the firewall allows MetaServer and that security software has not blocked it.

My Computer Appears, But Tapping It Does Not Connect

If the computer appears, discovery is working. The problem is later in the connection process.

Try this:

• Tap Refresh, then try again.
• If both USB and Wi-Fi are available, try the other transport.
• Open MetaServer and check its Status page for alerts.
• If MetaServer asks before accepting network connections, confirm the prompt on the computer.
• If the issue repeats, send MetaServer logs. See MetaServer Logs.

This symptom is different from "computer not found." It usually means MetaGrid Pro found MetaServer, but the final connection handshake did not complete.

USB Problems

USB Charges the iPad, But Does Not Connect

Charging does not guarantee a data connection. Some cables and hubs provide power but do not create a stable data path.

Check these:

• Use an Apple or MFi-certified USB cable.
• Avoid long or damaged cables.
• If you use a hub, use a powered hub.
• Try a direct port on the computer.
• Unplug and replug the iPad, then wait a few seconds.

USB Stops Working After Sleep, Restart, or Hibernation

After sleep or restart, macOS or Windows may not recreate the iPad USB data interface correctly. The iPad can still charge while the data connection is missing.

Try this sequence:

1. Quit MetaGrid Pro on the iPad.
2. Unplug the USB cable.
3. Plug the cable back in.
4. Open MetaGrid Pro again.
5. If needed, restart MetaServer.

If this happens often, send logs and mention that the problem happens after sleep, restart, or hibernation.

Windows USB Requirements

On Windows, USB communication depends on Apple's iOS device services.

Check that:

• Apple iTunes or Apple Devices support is installed.
• Apple Mobile Device Service is running.
• Bonjour Service is running.
• Windows Device Manager sees the iPad when it is connected.
• Windows Defender or another antivirus has not blocked MetaServer.

If Apple Mobile Device Service is stopped, restart it or reinstall Apple's device support, then reconnect the iPad.

Wi-Fi and LAN Problems

Same Network

The iPad and computer must be on the same local network. Guest networks, isolated Wi-Fi networks, VPNs, and some studio routers can block device discovery.

Check these:

• The iPad is not on a guest network.
• The computer and iPad can reach each other on the local network.
• VPN software is disabled while testing.
• Router client isolation is disabled.

Mac Local Network Permission

On macOS, MetaServer needs Local Network permission for Wi-Fi/LAN discovery.

Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Local Network and make sure MetaServer is enabled. If the entry is missing or stuck, use the permission troubleshooting tools in MetaServer. See System Access & Permissions.

Firewall or Security Software

Firewalls can allow MetaServer to run while still blocking incoming connections.

Check:

• macOS Firewall allows incoming connections for MetaServer.
• Windows Firewall allows MetaServer on private networks.
• Antivirus or anti-malware software has not quarantined MetaServer.
• After a MetaServer update, re-check firewall rules because the executable may have changed.

PC Wi-Fi Is Off, But Ethernet Is Connected

On Windows, the PC does not need its own Wi-Fi adapter enabled if it is connected by Ethernet to the same local network as the iPad's Wi-Fi.

If MetaServer says Wi-Fi is disabled but the PC is on Ethernet, treat it as a LAN setup:

• Confirm the iPad Wi-Fi and PC Ethernet are on the same router/network.
• Confirm Windows Firewall allows MetaServer on the active Ethernet network profile.
• Use the IP address shown in MetaServer's Network tab if automatic discovery does not work.

TCP, UDP, and IPv6

MetaServer normally uses fast local-network discovery and communication. Some networks handle UDP or IPv6 poorly.

If discovery or connection is unreliable:

• Try Enable TCP in MetaServer Network settings.
• Try Disable IPv6 if your network has IPv6 routing issues.
• After changing network settings, reconnect MetaGrid Pro.

See Network Settings for details.

Multiple iPads

If one iPad connects but another does not, troubleshoot each iPad separately.

Try this:

• Connect one iPad first and confirm it is stable.
• Add the second iPad after the first is connected.
• Use a powered USB hub if both iPads use USB.
• Try separate USB ports on the computer.
• Check MetaServer Status for each device row.
• If only one iPad fails, send logs and include which iPad connected and which one failed.

Multi-iPad problems often look random because each iPad has its own discovery, USB, and connection state.

Sleep, Wake, and Black Screen States

If MetaGrid Pro does not recover after the computer wakes, or the iPad stays on a dark screen, first unlock or wake the computer fully.

Then try:

• Tap the iPad screen once.
• Wait a few seconds for reconnect.
• If the iPad still does not reconnect, tap Refresh on the Connection Screen.
• If USB is involved, unplug and replug the cable.
• If the screen remains dark, quit and reopen MetaGrid Pro and send logs.

Mention whether the computer was asleep, display sleeping, locked, or showing a screen saver. These are different states and help support diagnose the issue.

Transport Button Is Dimmed

Each computer in Available Computers can show USB and Wi-Fi/LAN transport buttons. A dimmed button means MetaGrid Pro cannot reach the computer over that transport right now.

• USB dimmed: No USB data connection is available, the cable is power-only, the OS has not enumerated the iPad, or the USB handshake has not completed yet.
• Wi-Fi dimmed: The devices are not reachable over LAN, USB-only mode is enabled, Local Network permission is missing, or the router/firewall blocks discovery.

If both buttons stay dimmed, tap Refresh and check MetaServer Status.

MetaServer Was Blocked or Removed

On Windows, Defender or another antivirus may quarantine MetaServer after an update.

If MetaServer will not start or disappears after installation:

• Open Windows Security and check Protection History.
• Allow MetaServer if it was blocked.
• Add MetaServer's install folder as an exclusion if needed.
• Download MetaServer again from the official MetaGrid website.

If MetaServer starts but crashes, send the crash details and logs to support.

When to Send Logs

Send logs if:

• The computer appears but cannot connect.
• USB disconnects repeatedly.
• A problem happens after sleep or wake.
• One iPad connects and another does not.
• MetaServer crashes or shows an error.
• The same issue returns after trying the steps above.

Include:

• Mac or Windows version.
• MetaGrid Pro version.
• MetaServer version.
• USB, Wi-Fi/LAN, or both.
• Whether the computer appeared in Available Computers.
• What changed recently: app update, MetaServer update, OS update, router change, new hub, or new cable.

See MetaServer Logs for where to find and send logs.