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Full system refresh Original Prusa i3

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MK2.5
MK2.5S
MK3
MK3S
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While troubleshooting your printer, you should always try to fix the isolated issue by either replacing the damaged component or flashing a new firmware, which fixes the bug. However, sometimes it is not enough and you might need to perform a full system refresh, which will delete all stored values, settings and effectively revert the system back to the factory defaults. This article is an abridged explanation of a full factory reset, flashing the firmware then recalibrate from scratch, followed by two additional calibrations. 

Doing the whole procedure not only assure your system is clean and up to date, but also gives us the best outset for efficient troubleshooting. 

Step 1 - Factory reset

First, the full factory reset. This clears old calibration and voltage data not wiped by a Firmware update. Between firmware versions, there can be leftover calibration data no longer supported, or values that have changed index. 

This procedure will remove all calibration data, settings, and statistics from your machine!
  1. Hit the reset button, the X on your LCD module, immediately followed by pressing and holding the selector knob.
  2. After a few seconds, you will hear a beep and get a new screen that says "Factory RESET". Now, release the knob and a menu will appear.
  3. Scroll down the menu and select "All data". Let it do its thing and the system is now cleared. 

Once back in the system it will prompt you to run the wizard. Ignore this for now.

Step 2 - Flashing FW

If you skipped the previous step, stop now, go back and do the factory reset. You must do this whole procedure!
Tip: If you are flashing firmware for the first time, use our comprehensive step-by-step guide with pictures How to update firmware (MK3S+/MK3S/MK3)
  1. Download the latest firmware for your printer, from the left column, at prusa3d.com/drivers/
  2. Unzip the file, connect your printer to your computer with the supplied USB cable, and open PrusaSlicer.
  3. Navigate to Configuration -> Flash printer firmware, on the top-bar in PrusaSlicer.
  4. Browse to the HEX file, extracted from the file you downloaded, and click "Open".
  5. Select the COM port of your printer or hit Autodetect/Rescan. 
  6. Hit "Flash!" and let it complete its magic. You will have an indicator in the flasher and on the LCD screen.

Step 3 - Calibration Wizard

Now you can proceed with the Calibration wizard, which will guide you until you have finally completed the First Layer Calibration (i3).
 

Step 4 - PID- and Temp. calibration (Original Prusa MK3S/MK2.5S)

Almost there, two more optional, but highly recommended steps to be sure absolutely everything is in order. To make sure everything is tip-top, we will run PID tuning of the hotend, and Temperature Calibration of the P.I.N.D.A. sensor.
Since the superPINDA does not have a thermistor, temperature calibration is not available or necessary for the MK3S+.
  1. Navigate the LCD menu to Calibration -> PID calibration, and select. It will ask you what temperature to use. If you print mostly with PLA, leave it as is. If you print mostly PETG or ABS, adjust it to 240, but this will not really matter much. Let it run and finish before moving to the next step.
  2. On the same Calibration-menu, you will find Temperature Calibration. Initiate and let this run through its steps according to the on-screen instructions. This can take 15-20 min. This is especially important if you are having any leveling issues.

After this, run the First Layer Calibration (i3) again, making sure it is set correctly, with the P.I.N.D.A. sensor calibrated.

Success! Your printers system is now sparkling clean. This will rule out any firmware-issue, should there be something you are troubleshooting.

 

5 comments

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Derek
Tip: when the printer asks you to clean the nozzle, take a razor blade and shave off any filament on the very tip of the nozzle. A tiny protrusion (typically left after cutting the filament with side cutters) can cause the paper to move and require a power off and calibration restart.
thedoctor916
For anyone having trouble doing the factory reset: 1. press and RELEASE the reset button 2. Immediately press the select button after releasing the reset button
vosslab
What do you do when the printer is unresponsive with the dreaded 2 rows black squares and won't respond to factory reset? Factory-built MK3S+ Printer was working for a few months now it's unresponsive. Unplugging for a few days made it responsive, but only for a few minutes. Now it's black squares again. Checked all cables, no luck.
Shane, Prusa Product department

You would contact customer support via either the chat now button in the lower right of the window, or via email at [email protected] and they can assist you further with this isuse. 

gt7599a
In step two, I had to remove my SDcard from the Prusa before it would flash.  After flashing, it gave an error message but seems to have successfully flashed.avrdude-slic3r: prusa_init_external_flash(): MK3 printer did not boot up on time or serial communication failedavrdude-slic3r: arduino_open(): Failed to initialize MK3 external flash programming modeavrdude-slic3r: Could not open port: COM5
Daniel
Step 4.2 says "With the steel-sheet on, initiate and let this run through its steps" but the Temperature Calibration manual says "Start by taking off the Flexible steel sheet" and the "wizard" also indicates the steel-sheet needs to be removed. So... What is it?... on or off?
William H. - Official Prusa
Hello. This has changed a little with fw updates. Please just follow the on-screen instructions when initiating the Temperature Calibration.