If you are trying to connect to a ZKTeco biometric device and receive an Authentication Failure or connection-related error, the problem may be related to the device communication method, login credentials, network configuration, or the communication port.
This guide explains how to use the ConDev.exe utility to troubleshoot communication with supported ZKTeco devices through SSH or Telnet.
What You Need Before Starting
Before troubleshooting the device, make sure you have:
- Access to the ZKTeco device.
- The device's serial number.
- The device's IP address.
- A Windows computer on the same network or with network access to the device.
- The appropriate ConDev.exe utility.
- Administrator/technical access to the device where required.
You should also confirm that the device is powered on and communicating with the network.
Important: The procedures below are intended for authorized administrators and technicians working on ZKTeco devices they are responsible for managing.
Step 1: Open ConDev.exe
Locate and open:
ConDev.exe
The utility is used to establish a communication session with supported ZKTeco devices and display debugging information.
When the application opens, you should see fields relating to the connection type, serial number, IP address, and login user.
Step 2: Change the Input Method to English
Before entering information into ConDev.exe, switch your Windows input method to English.
This is important because an incorrect keyboard/input language can cause characters entered into the utility to be interpreted incorrectly.
Make sure the English keyboard/input method is active before continuing.
Step 3: Select the Connection Type
Important: The communication method depends on the specific ZKTeco hardware/platform. Do not assume that every ZKTeco device uses SSH.
The Connect Type determines how ConDev.exe communicates with the ZKTeco device.
According to the current device platform:
- ZAM170 platform machines support SSH.
- Atlas controllers support SSH.
- Newer platform devices should generally follow the SSH communication method.
- Other supported devices may still use Telnet.
Therefore, select the connection method appropriate for your particular ZKTeco device.
SSH
Use SSH for supported ZAM170-platform devices, Atlas controllers, and applicable newer platforms.
Telnet
Other supported devices may use Telnet.
