Here are Bernina’s instructions for initially setting up the Bernina E16 (the models that uses a dongle):
Additionally, do the following (Instructions for the original Bernina E16 software):
1) Turn off firewall (in your computer’s settings)
2) Turn off wifi (do not have it set to connect automatically).
3) Reboot computer (this is a must, as nothing would load after I turned off the firewall.)
4) Once your laptop/computer has rebooted, now start your machine as usual. (Connect ethernet cable to the laptop, insert dongle, open up E16 software, disengage e-Stop on machine by turning the red knob in the direction of the arrows, then last step is turn on the machine and wait for the machine to try to connect to the laptop.)
………. if the machine doesn’t connect, then do the next steps ……….
5) On your laptop, click on the setting icon in the E16 software on the bottom right (the gear looking thing).
6) Click on the setting icon on the next page (again the gear looking thing).
7) You should now be on the connection page. Choose the RealTek PCIe option. (If you have the newer software, you will also click the “Force Download” checkbox.) Click “Apply” and then “OK.”
8) Reboot the computer. Then reopen the Bernina Operating System (OS).
9) Ensure that the E-stop button is turned off and then power up the Bernina E16 embroidery machine.