Prusa i3 MK2 LCD display is 3/4 blank
My printer is about 18 months old, and yesterday when I went to use it, I noticed the display was mostly blank except for the first 8 characters of the top two lines (see photo). Other than the display issue, the printer seems to function just fine. If I use my muscle memory to navigate to the Print from SD menu and select a file, it prints just fine. To me, this suggests that the problem is limited to the display board itself, rather than anything more sinister within the controller. So far, I have only tried to unplug and reconnect the ribbon cables on the back of the LCD, and of course, that didn't help. Can anyone suggest anything else I should try? If my LCD board has gone bad, can I order a replacement? Where? I checked the Prusa store's replacement parts page, and it was quite limited and didn't have a MK2 LCD board. Any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance!
--Kris
Re: Prusa i3 MK2 LCD display is 3/4 blank
Hi Kris...
longshot... shouldn't make a difference, but easy to try... WITH THE POWER OFF!
reseat the two ribbon cables, at each end... oxidation on these contacts normally causes corruption of the display, rather than missing areas... (Make sure you put the plugs back where they came from...
I believe Prusa Printers normally have a two year warranty, have a chat with the helpdesk, via the eShop page!
were you logged in, to the eShop when you looked for the display... if not, you don't see all of the stock!
I looked a moment ago, and nearly fell off my seat!
they are in stock. but not cheap...
if your soldering skills are reasonable, you could consider buying an LCD from china and replacing the module https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-20x4-Character-LCD-Display-Module-HD44780-Controller-Blue-Green-Blacklight/192639227770?hash=item2cda31577a:m:ml7VcaH6Dr14g3Hc6B6BSCA
or you could consider buying a RepRap 2004 smart controller... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1pc-3D-printer-reprap-smart-controller-Reprap-Ramps-1-4-2004-LCD-control/253646394031?hash=item3b0e80d2af:g:k4UAAOSw12pbh2eu
but check the plastic part of the connectors, I seen to recall that Prusa's polarised connectors are back to front... you can usually take the plastic off, and turn it round...
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: Prusa i3 MK2 LCD display is 3/4 blank
Thank you, Joan, for the helpful suggestions. I will check on the warranty. I did try removing both ribbon cables from the display and from the controller, and re-seating them, but no luck. And I was not logged in before when I checked the parts page, so I tried again, and this time I saw the display.While the $55 replacement display isn't cheap, it's a lot cheaper than buying a whole new printer, which is about my only alternative. I've sort of been hoping for a reason to upgrade to the MK3, but I think it's too soon to seriously consider that, so I'll have to try the new display and keep my fingers crossed. Thanks again for your help!
--Kris