MK4 Network Issues
I've had my MK4 for 4 days now (and for two of them I wasn't home to work with the printer and I have the following comments/issues with the networking software (both slicer software and printer firmware).
I am running a wired network connection because I read how slow the WiFi connection is.
1. Setting of a static ip address doesn't work.
2. Trying to upload gcode to the printer when not on the home screen causes issues.
3. Every time I upload I get a 404 error even if the file is ok and prints correctly.
4. If you reslice a file and re-upload it from Prusa Slicer I get a file exists error. We need the option to overwrite the existing file to keep from having many copies of nearly the same thing on the USB stick.
5, Selecting upload and start from Prusa Slicer doesn't always start the print.
6. Sending a file to the printer without a USB stick in the printer puts the files in a place were they cannot be found from the on screen interface. At least I can't find them.
7. What/where/how/when for webcam or cell phone hook up?
The MK3 w/RPI Zero 2 W is a much better implementation of networking features than the new firmware.
I'm a bit disappointed in the network implementation in the firmware. Sneaker net (moving the usb stick from computer to printer and back again) is just not acceptable in a machine that costs more than $1000 assembled.
I fully understand Prusa's limitation in resources but the networking part of the firmware could use more polish.
Let's hope they hear what the users are saying and make improvements.
RE:
I have received a *variety* of errors when uploading. Not sure if the problem is on the PrusaSlicer side or the Mk4 firmware side. I get the 404 error you mentioned regularly, but have also gotten a couple with no specific error message (just "error"), and my favorite was the "Infernal Server Error" (with an "f", which I attribute to a developer's typo or sense of humor). I also got a "URL too long" error, which was resolved by making the file name shorter (I haven't experimented yet to find the precise filename length limit).
The upload is pretty slow (I am using ethernet, not wireless); not sure if that is because the controller has slow ethernet or slow usb-stick-writing. It is tolerable I suppose, like maybe 10-15s for most files, but still annoying since I was using Octoprint on my last printer and transfers are nearly instantaneous.
RE: MK4 Network Issues
I’m also stuck. For Lan access, I get the user name and password from the printer, (after following the steps in the manual) connect to the printer and prusalink, but can sign in - it just prompts me again for the password.
RE: MK4 Network Issues
I’m also stuck. For Lan access, I get the user name and password from the printer, (after following the steps in the manual) connect to the printer and prusalink, but can sign in - it just prompts me again for the password.
Are you using the userid of "maker" in all lower-case letters? That tripped me up the first time, as I typed it with a capital M. And of course the password is case-specific as well. But I can connect successfully from both PrusaSlicer and via the web interface (just http://<ip_address>).
I'm using only PrusaLink, not PrusaConnect, by the way, and using an ethernet cable (I disabled the wireless).
RE: MK4 Network Issues
Yup lower case. I also tried generating a new password, restarted via reset, cold boot, same result. I can get the Prusalink dashboard web page to come up, but then get into the endless loop promoting me to long in
RE: MK4 Network Issues
Yup lower case. I also tried generating a new password, restarted via reset, cold boot, same result. I can get the Prusalink dashboard web page to come up, but then get into the endless loop promoting me to long in
Strange... Could it be a browser issue? What browser, and do you have an alternative browser you can try?
RE: MK4 Network Issues
Bingo! I was using safari on a Mac, switched to Firefox and logged in no fuss no muss. Thanks very much
RE:
Great - at least using Firefox is a workaround for you!
I don't have a Mac, but I just now tried Safari from my iPad -- and saw the same behavior as you did: It just re-prompts for userid/password every time it is entered. I tried disabling the ad-blocker and changing some security/cookie/popup settings, but still had the repeating prompt. What's weird is that the Edge browser on iPad also has the same problem -- so something on the PrusaLink page must cause a problem that is common to both iOS-Safari and iOS-Edge (perhaps in the underlying Apple Webkit browser engine, since they both use that).
I normally use Windows with MS-Edge, and the login there works fine. But the dev console does show a few errors, so those might be a clue to someone who really understands what they mean (I don't, lol). Hopefully someone with more browser/html experience can investigate and log a bug on PrusaLink github, so Prusa can get it working for everyone.
Bingo! I was using safari on a Mac, switched to Firefox and logged in no fuss no muss. Thanks very much
RE: MK4 Network Issues
Ahh, good to know. I was having the same problem. Chrome it is, then…
RE:
so all of these were posted 5-6 months ago. I received my MK4 upgrade kit a couple of months ago and finally got around to do the upgrade a couple of weeks ago. I was looking forward to be able to send a print to the printer without using USB/Flash drive.
However, the Wifi is so unreliable. I get it working and it works for a day or two then goes away. Everything says the printer is off line. When I look at the printer it does not have an IP address. I have turned off the printer and then turned it on again and 99% of the time it still does not connect. Even though I can see the Mac address hitting my router (using the mac address the router ill assign the same ip address to it each time). this is true for both the Slicer and the connect.prusa3d.com.
Over all so far I'm not thrilled with the MK4. While I waited for months and months and months (I ordered new MK 4 when it was announced, and then changed to a Upgrade In April). I purchased 2 bambu labs printers. I have to say I have not had any issues with them. The A1 I ordered on the day it came out and I had it in my hands 2 days later. Looks like Bambu Labs printers are what PRUSA use to be. Printers that just work!
RE: MK4 Network Issues
Are you using Wifi or Ethernet?
Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: MK4 Network Issues
if you have issues with WiFi networking with MINI+/MK4 just replace ESP01s module to the other one... difference is few times faster connection, or for example random 404 and other weird behavior, like for example printer pausing print during receiving file from prusa slicer... i wrote about it on MINI forum https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/hardware-firmware-and-software-help/wifi-network-performance-dependent-on-the-esp01s-module-used/ and learned that it's known issue, but before i raised a bug report on github... i tested it on two MINIs and one MK4
RE: MK4 Network Issues
Wifi. At some point I will try wired.
RE: MK4 Network Issues
Wired is more secure...
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: MK4 Network Issues
mixer3d - so you are saying I need to go purchase a different wifi board due to the inefficiancy of the one that came with the MK4 kit? Its not a big deal they are under $10.00.
RE: MK4 Network Issues
I Am using the original Wifi board and it seems ok. but My printer is only 3Metres from the router
If you are further from the Router, you may be better with wired connectivity.
Walls, furniture, distance, interference, Plants & trees and weather can all diminish WIFI functionality
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE:
Hi, my two printers are 60cm from the router, the one with prusa provided ESP01s didn't work... after i changed the module no issues with network connection at all, there is big community file already with compatibility: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ql2TmS8O5Bkuf9SRhfP67RRD1isdThyN96f9M2KdSg4/edit#gid=0
but there are no specific parameters there, only sellers, i just took photo of the modules i got with my printers, you can compare, and if you have others just try, board will just reflash new ESP01s after you switch on again the printer... on the from prusa there is Z letter in the top left part of eeprom
RE: MK4 Network Issues
I have a new MK4 running the latest firmware. I'm using a wired connection. I don't have any issues with the Slicer Program that all seems to work very well. My problem is with Prusa Connect. I can set up the slicer program to send a file to connect and the progress bar in connect show's that it received the file but when connect try's to send the file to the USB stick it only shows around 5% complete then crashes. It happens the moment it starts to pass the file from Connect to the Printer every time. I always need to reboot the printer to get connected again.
RE: MK4 Network Issues
wifi is useless lucky i do not use it
RE: MK4 Network Issues
I received my MK4 over the summer of 2023. I have the latest firmware and slicer software. I am running a wired internet with pseudo static IP address (set by the DHCP server).
Network speed is better than it was originally. Unfortunately due to design decisions it will never be as fast as my MK3 with a Raspberry Pie Zero 2 Plus. Wired is faster than wireless because the wired interface is on the buddy board and WiFi is on a separate board.
With the new improvement in network speed and the implementation of binary gcode the download speed is tolerable.
Hopefully, Prusa will get their act together and work in bringing network speeds up to where they should be and fix some of the network related issues.
The MK4 firmware has some major issues with network functionality but fortunately the printing part of the firmware is quite good.
As a software development manager I would love for their engineering team to read my linkedin article on writing more user friendly software ( https://lnkd.in/d2i99Tdp). Maybe they would realize a few things.
Network Items that should be fixed:
- Network Speed
- Set a static ip address from the printer (without having to edit a file off line and load it into the printer) for both WiFi and Wired.
- Allow for user settable user names (not just maker). Settable on the printer or web interface.
- Allow for user settable passwords (not just some 16 character "randomly" created password.). Settable on the printer or web interface.