The panel says it cannot connect, or it connects and the buttons do nothing. Two different faults; start by working out which.
It will not connect at all
Work through these in order — the first one catches most cases.
1. Is the remote connection on, and has the program restarted since?
Settings → General → Remote control → Allow remote control. A change here only takes effect at the next start of the program. Switching it on and trying immediately is the single most common cause.
2. Does the port match on both sides?
3. Does the password match?
Use the Copy button in the settings and paste it into the panel. Passwords typed by hand are where l and 1 go wrong.
4. Can the panel reach the machine at all?
Same network, no firewall in between. If the panel runs on another computer, check that first — it is a network question, not a program question.
It connects but the buttons do nothing
Which playout is the button aimed at? A button set to “the active playout” drives whichever panel was last clicked in the program, which may not be the one you are watching.
Aim the button at a fixed playout and try again. On a two-playout desk, fixed buttons are the right arrangement anyway.
Is the cue number still right? A button that fires a numbered cue uses the number as it was when the button was built, and numbers move when the rundown changes shape.
Rebuild those buttons from the program’s status — the panel can ask for the current cue list rather than being told — see requests.
It worked last week
- The password was changed.
- The machine’s address changed, because it is on DHCP.
- The program was reinstalled and the remote connection is off again.
- Companion was updated.
The quickest test
Put GO on one button, aimed at a fixed playout. If that works, the connection is fine and everything else is button configuration. If it does not, you are still in the list above.