I haven’t used my mini for a long time. I have a new Mac, downloaded most recent Cura from Lulzbot, then connect to and updated the firmware on my Mini. I reloaded filament and tested extrusion without issue. First print attempt as a test I get the auto level error and aborts. My extruder is dirty, slowly cleaning. My multimeter won’t power on. Of course. LOL. Mini touches the first washer, cleans, tries again, cleans then gives error. I’ll get a new multimeter to check voltages. Wires to bed look intact. I’ve read all of the support here and at lulzbot without other ideas. Could it just be the new Gcode from a firmware update?? I can post a video or the Console data output if requested.
Video would be the most helpful, but if your nozzle is dirty, it’s never going to level. Even a fraction of a millimeter can insulate against the electrical contact needed to properly level.
Other than that, fix your multimeter and check connections on the bed washers, nozzle to zero wire on the toolhead, zero wire on the toolhead harness, and wires from the bed to ground.
Does this link to video work? https://photos.app.goo.gl/m8DC51QtKXuFQb2U6
Thanks for the initial feedback. I’ll get that nozzle pristine next, as you can see I only had paper towel and a toothbrush handy initially and scrubbed at 160 degrees. I changed the cleaning pad too. I’m not sure the nozzle touches in the video though?
Nozzle is now pristine. Same error. It appears to me the nozzle isn’t quite touching the washer with this new firmware? M114 help me here?
It’s definitely not touching.
Some of the newer firmware seems to be problematic for the Mini 1.
Try loading the firmware that shipped with it, from download.lulzbot.com/Mini/1.04/software/firmware:
Looks like I should have stuck with the old firmware. I did update manually to the old firmware .hex. Now this error: I see I’ll need to change my Cura version too? I think I’m getting close. Is this reddit correct? Reddit - Please wait for verification
I went back to Cura 3.6.40 and installed. Opened, added mini 1 printer, tried test print but got error “cannot connect to printer”
Is there a better Cura for the firmware you sent?
The version that shipped is very old, but definitely works with that firmware.
Index of /Mini/1.04/software/cura
I’m pretty sure the firmware that was included with 3.6.40 might be good for the Mini1. I think around the 4.13 versions of CuraLE are when everybody having issues with the Mini 1 started.
Hello,
This could be something very simple.
Have you checked, or adjusted the limit switch at the top of the Z-axis. To me it looks like the head’s not low enough to reach down into the cleaning pad along with not reaching the washer. Remember, the Mini 1 “zeros” at the top.
Another thought is that your Z-offset needs to be reset, especially if you’ve just upgraded the firmware as this info gets wiped on new firmware install.
Hoping this helps,
Todd.
Here’s another, previous thread that provides an alternate solution, in essence “bumping” the head down during the print startup GCode.
Enjoy,
Todd.
I get “can’t connect to printer” with 3.6.40
Link?
And I’ll need to read up on how to adjust the limit on Z-axis, or reset, but I agree this makes sense. I think I saw the Gcode addition. Now I have to get back to being able to connect to the printer! It’s amazing we think AI is going to replace humans when we can’t even get this stuff to work reliably over time!
If your Mini doesn’t calibrate and touches only one level that happened to me too. I read a lot and I couldn’t find anything. Finally I saw that my bed and the needle were not align. Here they told you to put a level and also measure with a tape, but I discover you start the calibration and look at the needle will touch only one or two plates, most of the time one side, that means the other side is off. To solve that.
Manually lower the needle to the first plate that touches to calibrate, then use the arrows in the computer and move to the second and that will be aligned touching, then move to the third plate and you will see the space between the needle and plate is bigger, that is why the calibration does not complete, because the gap is to big and the Mini can not calibrate.
Manually turn the tower on the side that the gap is bigger and put down as close as you can. Thank will give the necessary gap for your Mini to complete the calibration. I hope that will work in yours.
It shouldn’t need to connect to the printer for firmware updates. It’s a different protocol than the printer control uses.
Sorry, to be clear once I have updated the printer to the firmware update you linked, I’ve been trying to get a Cura version that will use it without error. The most recent Cura software versions I’ve tried said “can’t connect to printer” to print. Then, an older version won’t open when installed on my macbook…It’s like I need the firmware to match a Cura version that is functional…on Sequoia 15.7.4…
Tried all Gcode solutions, multimeter, neither work. I can give details if anyone wants. I think it’s firmware, but can’t find Cura version that works with the old firmware on my new macbook…