Clava Connect: Windows Printing Guide
If you are using Clava POS on a Windows machine, Clava Connect is the essential bridge that allows the website to talk to your receipt printer. Because Chrome on Windows cannot access USB printers directly, this small background app handles the heavy lifting for you.
Note for Mac Users: You can skip this! Printing works natively in Chrome and Safari browsers on macOS without any additional software.
1. Installation & Setup
Setting up Clava Connect takes less than two minutes. Follow these steps to get started:
Download: Get the latest version here.
Extract & Run: Unzip the folder and run
ClavaConnect.exe.Security Bypass: If you see a "Windows protected your PC" popup, click More info and then Run anyway. This is a one-time requirement.
Check the Tray: Look for the Clava icon in your system tray (bottom-right, near the clock). It may be hidden under the ^ arrow.
Configure in Clava: Log into Clava and navigate to Settings → POS Hardware.
Enable receipt printing by switching it on via the toggle
Enable cash drawers if using either electronic cash drawers connected via the receipt printer, or manual cash drawers
Click the gear icon → Connect Printer.
Select your receipt printer from the dropdown list.
Verify: Click Test Print to ensure everything is communicating correctly.
2. Serial / COM Port Printers
If your printer uses a serial (RS-232) cable or a virtual COM port driver rather than a standard USB connection, follow these specific steps:
When to use: Use this if the standard USB connection fails or if your hardware specifically requires a COM port.
How to connect: If the normal connection fails, click "Try serial connection" in the error message.
Select Port: Chrome will prompt you with a list of available COM ports - select the one corresponding to your printer.
Baud Rate: The default speed is 9600 baud.
Pro Tip: If the printer spits out "garbage" text or random symbols, the baud rate is likely mismatched. Check your printer’s manual for the correct setting (e.g., 19200 or 38400).
3. Set it and Forget it (Auto-Start)
To ensure your printer is always ready when you open your shop, enable auto-start:
Right-click the Clava tray icon.
Toggle Start with Windows to ON.
Now, Clava Connect will launch automatically every time you log in to your PC.
4. Troubleshooting Common Issues
Issue | Potential Solution |
No printers found | Ensure the printer is powered on and connected via USB. Check if it appears in Windows Settings → Printers & Scanners. |
Tray icon is missing | Click the ^ arrow to show hidden icons. If it's still gone, try running the |
Nothing prints | Run a Test Print from the POS Hardware settings. Ensure the correct printer is selected and not a virtual one like "Microsoft Print to PDF." |
Drawer won't open | Confirm the drawer is plugged into the printer's DK port (not the PC) and ensure it isn't physically locked with the key. |
Stopped working | If you recently updated Windows, Clava Connect may have closed. Simply re-run the app from your downloads folder. |