USB disconnection while Printing
Hello everyone,
My Prusa XL is driving me crazy. For several weeks now, the printer has been experiencing USB disconnects during prints. I know that this issue is already known, and I have tried several solutions, but unfortunately, none have worked.
I initially updated from the firmware version where the USB error first appeared (6.1.0) to the latest available version at the time (6.1.2). Unfortunately, this update did not resolve the error and introduced further problems. For example, after resuming a print following a USB disconnect, the extruders were swapped, and an element that was supposed to be printed in black according to Prusa Slicer was instead printed using the extruder with yellow filament. Additionally, there were other issues, such as the extruder stopping in the middle of a print job while remaining at temperature without pausing. When I attempted to pause the print in the hope that it would resume normally, the screen froze, and I was forced to restart the printer, losing the print job.
Before these issues, I had tried different USB sticks and reformatted the Prusa USB stick, but none of these attempts helped. As recommended by support, I rolled back to earlier firmware releases. I first tried version 6.0.4, but after experiencing another USB disconnect following a print, I downgraded to 6.0.0, again without success.
I would be grateful for any advice or ideas.
RE: USB disconnection while Printing
Hi Marvin.
I am getting these starting with my latest print last night. I KNOW that I pinched a ribbon cable for the LCD when I was building it - but have so far not noticed any issues. I would think that this could be my issue - I'm going to repair the pinch - you might want to check yours - since you've tried everything else. Me, I'm going to start with this repair because I know it exists already - then move on.
RE: USB disconnection while Printing
I’m having the same issue. I’ve tried all the same things but can’t get the print to resume. Very frustrating!
RE: USB disconnection while Printing
Known issues since Oct 2023 especially USB total fails, mine is not reliable either, wasted kilos of filament. Sick of being a beta tester for almost a year...Welcome to the club!
RE: USB disconnection while Printing
The alpha 6.2 seems to have fixed my problem. It's not a finished version - but it got me printing again.
RE: USB disconnection while Printing
I'm getting this with our I3 Mk3 and here's what I think is causing the problem: the hot-end cable is hitting the USB cable and causing it to (sometimes momentarily) disconnect from the computer, and the print stops. There's no recovery from this. On my printer the USB-B end is on the left hand side behind the upright frame, right beside where the hot-end cable comes out.
I know our connector is loose - sometimes we couldn't get the computer to recognize the printer and it took us forever to figure out that it was the USB connection on the printer. When we taped the cable to the back of the cardboard enclosure we made, and printed more on the right side of the bed, all the problems went away.
Can anyone else confirm they have this particular problem? And if so, how you went about fixing it?
RE: USB disconnection while Printing
Did you have any issues in flashing this version of firmware? It stops at finding .bbf file. From my understanding, you put the new firmware (XL_firmware_6.2.0-alpha2.bbf) on a usb, restart printer and it should flash. Is there anything I'm missing?
The alpha 6.2 seems to have fixed my problem. It's not a finished version - but it got me printing again.
RE:
Yes, I had that problem as well. I printed one of these clips for the extruder cable: https://www.printables.com/model/563688-extruder-cable-clip-enforced-for-prusa-i3-mk3s
I also got a usb cable with a 90 degree plug to get the usb cable away from the extruder cable. Another possibility is to fix the usb plug to the socket with some hot glue to take away the play. Hot glue does no damage and can be removed if necessary.
Note: this is a fix for the problem on the MK3S+, nothing to do with the XL.
RE: USB disconnection while Printing
I printed that clip and I don't think we've had a problem since! On another post, a user suggested applying some hot glue to keep the USB cable "pushed" over to the correct side. It's a quasi-permanent solution - you can still unplug - the hot melt won't aggressively stick to the plastic and should peel away with a bit of effort.
So, I think it's safe to say, one of the major causes of mid-print interruptions is caused by the head cable knocking the USB cable, which causes a USB disconnect. I believe this can also interrupt a print if you're printing from the SD card. Also, (while I don't have experience with a unit like this), I believe it's possible that if you knock a thumb drive plugged into the printer it could also disconnect. The key giveaway (that I've noticed) is that as soon as the print stops, the screen changes to "Prusa" and runs the "loading bar" underneath before flashing back to the "main" screen.