Easily upgrade the Marlin firmware on your kit 3D printer! 

I have never seen anyone make something so simple as complicated as this, you go so fast that I have had to skip back about 30 times and I haven't even downloaded Marlin yet.

Just some additional info: A third issue you might run into uploading new firmware is if your printer uses the MKS TFT family of display screens (ie: JGAurora A5 & A3S). These 'intelligent' controller screens constantly communicate with the mainboard and have been shown to interfere and even corrupt the upload of firmware. So its recommended that you disconnect the MKS TFT board from the mainboard before uploading new firmware. Also, if you are uploaded a different version of the firmware (not just newer), you MUST reset EEPROM to factory defaults or it Will Indeed be all wrong and very strange things will occur when printing (homing the wrong direction, over-temperature faults, wrong acceleration/movement settings, etc) Thanks for the great video!

Important before uploading the firmware: Disconnect all other serial connections to the printer. Close Simplify3d or Pronterface and disonnect the TFT32 (in case you have one). If either of these are connected to the board when uploading the firmware you will get a generic error message. That took me wayyy too long to find out.

Superb info as always. Looking forward to your 'from scratch' video, it may show me something I missed as I just finished upgrading my CR-10 S4 from scratch to Marlin 1.1.9. Loads of new features and fixes.

Appreciate the video! I had just bought the 1.1.5 silent board for my Ender 3 Pro and accidentally bought one with the Ender 5 firmware. Your video was the easiest to understand and simplest solution for me since the board already had a bootloader. I just downloaded the source code from Creality, followed the tutorial and was immediately able to start printing. Thank you!

Thanks for making this Thomas, looking forward to the part where you show us Configuration options separately!

Hello Thomas I have the following error, for compiling it was ok however I cant upload it onto the board, any idea? Sketch uses 122088 bytes (93%) of program storage space. Maximum is 130048 bytes. Global variables use 4629 bytes (28%) of dynamic memory, leaving 11755 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 16384 bytes. avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x65 avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 2 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x63 avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 3 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x68 avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 4 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x6f avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 5 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x3a avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 6 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x53 avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 7 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x44 avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 8 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x20 avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 9 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x69 avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 10 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x6e An error occurred while uploading the sketch

I "know" Arduino and thought I understand the steps you took. I suspect most people who are not programmers won't. I'll be honest. I don't know how you could make it any easier as you did do a great job explaining it. But the word "easy" is a bit of a stretch. ☺

Thank you for instructions! I did the upgrade for my Creality Ender-4. There are some differences comparing to Ender-3: the processor is ATmega2650 and its support is included to Arduino AVR Boards by default, so no need to set up Sanguino board and steps associated with setting up the board may be skipped (I set it up first and then just removed:-) Also, I made some more configuration 'cause I have extra gears attached to the printer: auto-leveling and filament sensor. So, went through the config files and un-commented lines to activate corresponding features. Configs are well commented and it is easy to find proper lines responsible for certain features...

ARRGGG Was following along with my new Ender3 and then at the end "it'll be in another video" and I can't finish. THANKS. NOT COOL!

Sketch uses 97374 bytes (74%) of program storage space. Maximum is 130048 bytes. Global variables use 6193 bytes (37%) of dynamic memory, leaving 10191 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 16384 bytes.

5 years in with my Ender 3, nothing substantial other than basic upgrades that are must have from the get go, there is little to no point in upgrading the firmware, but 80% chance that one might brick their only 3d printer and leave a sour experience. Mine is still having no thermal runaway protection and there's no mention of it here, like the tutorial or someone could've made it simpler to test exactly that, and do a first update project where that project is the first to go and make it so they're not burning their house down accidentally. I am happy with what it could do, it hold bed level for years, accurate to

Hi Tom, Kudos for a great tut. It makes my day seeing how open source and community based projects' work, reaches the level of world class commercial setups (there effectiveness, efficiency and reliability are second to none) Marlin and Arduino are 2 great software and hardware examples (I know there are many others out there); great times.

Very thankful for the video, I can't help but mention though -it would have been nice to mention _at the beginning_ that even though you are demonstrating on the Ender 3, you can't actually complete the process on that printer using this video alone. -as I sit here with a USB sticking out of my laptop...

You did forget the M503 before uploading your firmware to get a copy of your old EEPROM settings if you fiddled with any.

Nice video! Especially like the part about showing how to install the Sanguino option to the Boards Manager and the u8glib. I had just used the TH3D unified software to run Arduino and then pointed that to the Marlin 1.1.x folder to get around it before seeing this video. The TH3D is a good option for those wanting a simpler option, but I like to know what each setting does (or at least the main ones). Looking forward to your video where you go through all the options in Marlin.

Thanks, very informative. But _"Easily"_ is a bit of a stretch.

Thomas, great job. After downloading the files and updating the boards manager, using the correct processor and adding the custom library it compiled on first try.

It wasn't really easy, but you walked me through most of the hard stuff. I still had two errors (very similar) where they put something in comments AFTER the command and apparently my board wanted the comments BEFORE the command on a separate line. Fixed both of those errors and everything else went smooth as butter.

this works! after following other vids online, this is the only vid that works for my Ender 3. thank you soooo much!

Don't have a problem myself, but some printers have separate enable jumper for firmware programming (safety feature, so that you can prevent ANYONE from flashing your printer). Just another thing to check, if your firmware flashing attempts are failing. At least my Megatronics 2.0 has one.

Thanks for the step by step. Worked great. I could not have done it with your instructions keep up the good work. Needed to upgrade the firmware to eliminate the extruder stopping with the quiet main board when using Simplify 3D

As I was trying to upload the firmware to my Ender 3, I was given the error "avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x65 avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 2 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x63 avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 3 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x68 avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 4 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x6f avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 5 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x3a avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 6 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x54 avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 7 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x46 avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 8 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x20 avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 9 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x69 avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 10 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x6e An error occurred while uploading the sketch " Does anyone know how to fix this?

Thanks Thomas! I had to get the U8Glib 1.1.7 somewhere else, but you got me through it!

Wow this is much easier now. My BLTouch came with a usb with a ribbon cable and adapter to update the ender 3 firmware. I’ve flashed mine several times when I was figuring out the BLTouch.

You said it will apply to any future 1.1.x version. But the developers have stated there won't be any more of those 🤔🤔🤔🤔. Regardless I can personally attest to 2.0.x being the exact same process.

If you want to compile and upload de last version of Marlin bugfix 2.0 for ender 3 (in my case: Ender 3 Pro with 1.1.4 board ) the u8glib must be the 1.18.1 or later. Your guide is the best guide on youtube for Marlin and Ender 3.

Great video. But have a problem with my printer . It's a sainsmart 300 . Out of nowhere something when wrong . It's like the print head is lost . What ever I print it starts ok for the first 2 or 3 lines then it goes sync and wondering all over the print plate . I dont know if it's the firmware or a hardware problem all the step motor are good . . Can you help . Can I send you a video of what it's doing.

Hey Thomas, great video as usual. I own a Creality CP-01 and was curious ho to update to Marlin 2.0? There is no files inside Marlin for CP-01. Please help

you said you were going to explain the issue with Ender 3 and other required hardware then have us sit through the video but at the very end you say oh wait no it's going to be in another video. I do enjoy your content but this bait-and-switch is frustrating.

Will you lose the Ender-3's ability to resume prints after a power outage by upgrading Marlin following these steps?

Thanks, Thomas, I was able to burn bootloader and Marlin firmware on my Ender 3.

Holy balls, this is too much for me to even try right now.

I just upgraded my ender 3 with the TH3D firmware and getting the bootloader working was the hardest part.

Bro very nice video very nice absolutely amazing just wanted to confirm one thing that i have ender 3 pro with 4.2.2 board does that need a bootloader or will it just work the way you did thankyou so much waiting for reply

As others have said, the work you put into this is greatly appreciated, but for those of us who aren't technically-minded, it's like falling down a very deep rabbit hole with pointy bits along the way. But that's a heck of a shirt, Tom.

I recommend to buy a second Arduino (Clone) board to keep the old (working) configuration until the new one really works out.

How do you convert an old configuration to the new Marlin 2.0 when there is no manufacturers version available. I only can get hold of Marlin 1.0.4 for my Geetech and i'm havin g problems, I would like to upgrade to either 1.1.9 or 2.0. but don;y know how Thanks

Awesome video at just the right time. Was going to spend the evening configuring newest marlin, to upgrade my cr-10. Just got a lot easier.

Great video and very informative. Thanks for this. I have a CR20 Pro and when I hit "About the Printer", I get ver. 1.1.6BL_ver3.1. All I find on Internet never mention the CR20 Pro... Is the procedure the same as the one you describe here?

when i try to do this i get an error that you didnt talk about

Hey Thomas, I got a new motherboard for my Ender 3 and now I was updating the firmware but in the end when I was uploading it says that an error occurred while uploading the sketch

Great video explaining how to, but I am having trouble with configuration.h file. I did not find another video that you may have done pertaining to this exercise (you mentioned you would). But I am hoping you can help. I keep getting "Multiple libraries were found for "U8glib.h"" Do you have a video for this?

a couple things that I found need to be changed in config.h are the minimum y set to -8 and set the bed to 232 mm. now you will print more in line with the center of the bed and take advantage of the larger build surface

Thanks for the excellent info as always, do you have some info on changing the code for the printer knowing where the center of your bed is? My Ender 3 is 4mm left and 11mm back from what the slicer thinks is center.

Thanks very much Tom! How can we update the firmware if we do not have any support or file from the manufacturer? How do we only have the firmware loaded on the Mega board and no other data? How do we adjust the values for the different types of extruders, rods of the Z axis, etc? Thanks for your kind support.

Lot to keep up with when you're a noob. Saved this video because I'm going to watch it 100000000 times till it all clicks. I got issues just like loading firmware for my bl touch I just got for my ender 3. Great video btw and I will be trying to catch up.

You forgot about one very important mod for ender 3 that everyone does: remove that dumb "Facebook QR Code" sticker xD

Thanks for sharing Tom. very informative as always!

Your videos are awesome. Much appreciated. I am trying to update my CR-10S. I have watched several video’s for this. I have worked through all the issues, clean compile, and I am getting what looks like comms timing out. The link between my laptop and printer is timing out. Could you help? I want to ensure my temp safety features are activated properly. Much appreciated.

Great video! I have seen that other "3d printing gurus" have installed the TH3D firmware instead, the installation procedure seems more or less the same, so what is the difference?

Great info Tom!! I do have one question. I build a dolly back when you did that build series. Does this work for upgrading the firmware on it as well or will I have alot to fix since its not a "production" kit??

thank you ... is it possible to resume print with and other printer , and which one ? ... all .... thank you your video is clearly ....

Glad you posted this, I was just talking the other day about updating the firmware on my Ender 3. However, I'm getting multiple errors saying that there are "too many decimal points in number" in places that say 1.0.0, 1.0.1, 1.0.2, 1.0.2-2, and so forth. How should I go about fixing this. I have no prior knowledge of Arduino programming, so forgive me if this is a dumb problem to have. Thanks!

Great video, Tom. I'm pretty much a newbie and not real computer smart, but I followed your directions step by step and successfully replaced the original Ender 3 firmware with the current version of Marlin. It added some nice functionality (like being able to move the Z-axis up and down from the LCD screen) and I'm enjoying it a lot. Thanks!

Thomas, how about a review of Marlin 2.0? I know it is still late beta, but a review of the features and the 32-bit boards that it will run on would be very useful.

Thx Thomas! What if your company pushed a version of Marlin with closed source necessary modifications (I know they *should not*) wouldn't this just brick the printer?

Thanks, just followed your instructions for the Ender 1.1.5 board for an ender 5. Worked fine once I found ender5 config.h files and I had to use 1.18 of the U8glib but it compiled ok and I guess the board had the bootloader as it loaded fine. Now to put the board in the printer and test.

@Thomas Sanladerer HUGE THANK YOU! This made me finally reflash Marlin on my CR10s. Was thinking about it for months, but was too afraid from complexity. Done it, and it worked.

Hi Tom, thank you very much for this video, it saves me money to buy a new board!

hi Tom, thanks for the video! I followed these instructions but when i get to the point where i want to burn my bootloader (with the USBTinyISP) I get the error below, can you help? avrdude: verification error, first mismatch at byte 0x1fc00 0xff != 0x1f avrdude: verification error; content mismatch Error while burning bootloader. thanks, Mike

Thanks for the vid. It was a very helpful walkthru to getting the correct versions of everything and getting the Arduino IDE all set up and able to compile the project. Thanks to your vid I was able to confidently get Marlin compiled and ready to load on my ENder 3 pro. I lost my USBASP board during a move, and so I'm waiting for a new one to talk to my board. (I prefer this to using my UNO which I also can't find, LOL. It's been a few years since I did a lot of microcontroller and Arduino work.) But your video was a confidence builder.

What about printers with a touch screen lcd? Are those not open source? Example would be the Snapmaker printer that says they will be open source eventually but would the firmware update not work great with the fancy touch screen?

there are no file to download for u8glib!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looking forward to the Marlin from Scratch Video since my first self designed printer is almost ready to be powered on.

Hello Thomas, this is the error when I try to upload the Marlin: stk500_getsync() attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x65 Can you help me? Thanks

SO, as of Sep 18, 2018, the config files on GitHub for the Ender 3 are requiring the board to be set to an Arduino Mega, not a Sanguino board. Is that an error? I know Creality has a 1.1.4 board out now ... does it refer to this? Just asking because the onboard MOFSET for the bed heater went out on mine. I've got a 1.1.3 board from Comgrow coming in tomorrow and figured flashing to Marlin before installing the new board may be the way to go. I've never gone through the process before and figured I'd ask some questions FIRST. I plan on getting the "silent 1.1.4" board from Creality, but the lead time is much more than a direct replacement board and I really hate running with the bed heater disconnected - even with PLA.

As long as you are discussing upgrades. How about a review doing a comparison of the current offerings of 32bit controllers on the market?

Hi butty.Can I follow this step without having to buy arduino etc. Just use my usb to my pc. I have a board that shows 1.1.3 on the board. Appreciate a reply.

Extremely helpful material even in 2021. Five five bro ;)

Help Please. my printer doesnt have an example config. would it be wise to just copy my old config files over OR is it better to take a similar example config and just change the values?

Hey buddy great video as always :) I have a question how hard would it be for a Cr10 s4 with a touch screen

Creality publishes their Marlin sources on their website. You can compare their config files to the examples.

Tom,Is there. Link somewhere for dual extruders ( 2 nozzles)

Hi, can you directly connect the printer to the pc on the Ender 3 or do your need to get the USB device

How long does the Marlin verification step usually take? I've been waiting 20 minutes with no change in the progress bar.

Thank you Thomas, you got me the furthest I have ever gotten to succeeding, except these errors popped up! Is there somewhere I could send you my error messages..... not quite sure what they are referring to. All I did was take my ender 3 example, placed the right motherboard upgrade, and changed the max temp settings cause I have all metal hotend. and crazy errors pop up.

What about printers that aren’t included in the example machines folder?

What version of marlin is this and what version of Arduino? I get error cant compile all you show on your side is nothing like my side i don't see the Jason link that your referring too .

Two questions: 1) How do you make a backup of the current firmware just in case all of this does not work and you need to go back to it? 2) Is there any way of doing this on the Ender-5?

Great Video, Tom. Super easy to follow. The following is an error message I received in Arduino. Marlin-2.0.x\Marlin\src\HAL\AVR\u8g_com_HAL_AVR_sw_spi.cpp:65:10: fatal error: U8glib-HAL.h: No such file or directory #include Not sure where to find this in the latest Marlin Website layout. If you could assist would be great. Thank you.

Please link in the description or pinned comment to the "other video" you mention. You didn't even give a hint as to what it's called which will make it hard for people looking to do this on their ender 3 (like me).

I tried to verify my build on the Anet A6 but it failed because it's 40 bytes too big with the BL Touch sensor enabled. Had to enable Linear auto bed leveling to reduce the size. Thanks!

This may be off topic.Keep doing the unboxing and assembly and first prints as you have. With no mods. Its the most honest way for the consumer,to determine if its a good manufacturer. Continue to show box stock with all the flaws. Let the machine either stand on its own,or embarrass the manufacturer into trying harder.

very useful, thanks Thomas! I'll see if I can update my Geeetech A20T

Please some help I do everything as on video and get error Creality ender 3 Board :1.1.4 I tested on 2 different computers 2 different versions of Arduino, 1.8.5 and 1.8.9 Sketch uses 126004 bytes (96%) of program storage space. Maximum is 130048 bytes. Global variables use 6279 bytes (38%) of dynamic memory, leaving 10105 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 16384 bytes. avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x65 avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 2 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x63 avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 3 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x68 avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 4 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x6f avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 5 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x3a An error occurred while uploading the sketch avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 6 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x54 avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 7 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x46 avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 8 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x20 avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 9 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x69 avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 10 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x6e

Great videos Thomas, very informative and helpful for windowers. How about a few for us Mac.ers??? I have my Anet for a couple of years now and I still haven't managed to flash Marlin from my MacBook! Great work! keep it up!

I flashed 1.1.9 last week on my older RepRap with a mega / ramps combo. Never had any problems with the older versions and my endstops but when I flashed 1.1.9 I couldn't get it to G28 without running the command like 3 times. Eventually had to turn on the ENDSTOP_NOISE_FILTER in config. I have some .1uf ceramic caps on the way to attach to the endstops so hopefully I can turn that feature off again.

Arduino 1.8.6 has currently bugs that makes it impossible to compile marlin 1.8.4 works fine just sayin maybe jump that one

Hello Thomas I am trying to update the firmware on my board v1.1.2 from creality cr 10 following the steps in your video but when I click on check I get an error "Error resolving FQBN: missing. Error compiling for card sanguinow / ATmega1284 or ATmega1284P (16MHz The card currently selected needs the Arduino core: Arduino that is not installed. " How can I solve? Can you help me please? And one more question can I buy a v1.1.5 card and install it on creality cr10? because i see some sites that recommend it for ender 3 / 3pro or ender 5 but there are also sites that claim to be compatible with cr 10. Thanks

I have 2 Delta minis that I haven't ever gotten to work correctly, is this version more friendly for deltas than versions past?

Thanks for the video. i did get a issue with my memory. not enough with my ender 5 pro. any suggestions?

Will I need a bootloader when trying this with an Ender 3 pro with the updated 4.2.7 board? There is nothing showing up under my ports tab.

Hey come on Tom I wanna got to Hollyday`s and always remember and thinking of flash my board with marlin firmware. And now your coming up with this video. Thanks for al the great vids out there and your share of all that knowleage. Schöne grüsse aus München ;)

I ran it again and it worked. Did you say that I will need another board to flash the board for an Ender 3?

Ok... I searched your videos hoping you had posted something on my current problem. Either I missed it or you haven't experienced it. So I'm going to ask here. I just updated to Marlin @t. Before this, I used the factory settings for about a week and marlin 1.9 for a couple days. I didn't have this issue until 2.0.4. Every time I print the calibration squares (I have been using the mesh bed level feature) but now, when gantry returns home after print, I get "thermal runaway bed printer halted: reset machine" But only after the print every time. I used an IR probe to measure temps and the bed never goes above my setting. So i'm worried something is programmed wrong in Marlin, but I never changed any thermal settings. please help.

Thanks Thomas; as always clear, engaging and useful. Worked great for me.

Hi Tom, can this way help to edit the bed size limits ? I want to increase the bed on my small printer

I have a Sain Smart Ender 3. should this be the same? is there anything that may be different or that I need to worry about?

So just to confirm, we cannot use this video if we have an ender 3 until you upload a new video for ender 3?