Getting stuck on the boot screen on your Ender 3 can be quite frustrating whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user. This usually indicates a problem in the boot process or firmware. I decided to write this article to discuss how you can fix this issue.
To fix an Ender 3 stuck on the boot screen, flash the firmware, use a different SD card, and loosen the screw holding the thermistor. If this fails, you should try to rename the firmware or unplug the power for a few seconds before turning it on.
This is just a basic explanation. I am going to provide more details, so continue reading to find out more.
How to Fix Ender 3 Stuck on Boot Screen
Here are some of the main ways you can fix an Ender 3 stuck on the boot screen:
Rename the firmware
Flash the firmware
Use a different SD Card
Loosen the screw holding the thermistor
1. Rename the Firmware
The first thing you can do to fix an Ender 3 stuck on the Boot screen is to rename the firmware. One of the reasons your Ender 3 might be stuck on the boot screen is due to incompatible or corrupted firmware files.
You should rename the firmware to a simple, single-word name without any special characters or spaces, for example, “firmware.bin”. The simplified file name helps the printer read the firmware and process it more effectively during the boot process.
One user stuck on the boot screen changed the name of the firmware to solve the issue. He further explained that the Ender 3 could only store one name. So, if the name of your new firmware matches that of the current one, the device fails to boot up.
Users said that one trick they used to fix Ender 3 stuck on the boot screen was to rename the firmware file from “Ender_3_V2_blahblah_more_numbers_blah.bin” to something short like “firmware.bin”.
In some cases, removing numbers or letters will enable the printer to recognize the file to boot.
2. Flash the Firmware
A more advanced method of fixing an Ender 3 stuck on the boot screen is to flash the firmware. This involves updating or reinstalling the printer’s firmware. Sometimes, outdated or corrupted firmware can cause boot screen issues.
By flashing the firmware, we overwrite the firmware with a new version. The updated firmware can get rid of compatibility issues and ensure smooth booting of the Ender 3.
Some users suggested flashing the firmware as a possible fix for Ender 3 getting stuck on the boot screen. Below is the process you can follow according to them:
Open the panel at the bottom of your Ender 3 and check your mainboard version. Close the panel after noting the version for your mainboard, for example, V4.2.2 or 4.2.7.
Go to the Creality homepage, choose your Ender 3 printer, and download the firmware file for the mainboard version you have on your printer from the download page.
Format a MicroSD card with a max capacity of 32GB or smaller and make sure its allocation size is 4096bytes and the file system “FAT32”.
Move the firmware file “Ender_3_V2_something_more_numbers_something.bin” to the SD card and rename it to something simpler like “Firmware123.bin”.
Turn off the printer and plug the SD card with the .bin file into the MicroSD card slot. Power on the printer; the system should flash the firmware and boot up normally.
Another user recommended using an 8GB SD card when flashing the firmware, as using a larger one like the 16 GB or 32GB might not work. However, some users reported successfully flashing their firmware with smaller cards like the 4 GB.
Check out this video on how to flash the firmware of an Ender 3 V2. One user who followed the video said he fixed his brand new 3D printer that stopped working.
3. Change the SD Card
A faulty or corrupted SD card can prevent the Ender 3 from booting properly, so you should try to use a different one as a potential solution. This method involves correctly formatting a new SD card, copying the firmware to the card, and loading it into the printer.
A different SD card with a cleaner file system can help to ensure that data is transferred smoothly during the boot process to resolve the boot screen problem.
One user said that his Ender 3 V2 Neo got stuck on the Creality screen when he booted it with the default SD card that came with the printer. However, the issue disappeared after switching to a new high-class SD card.
He added that he bought a class 10 card just to be sure since his old class 4 card didn’t work. Additionally, he recommended a “San Disk Ultra Micro SDXC UHS-I”. This also fixed it for another user who had the same issue.
Another user said they fixed their Ender 3 stuck on the boot screen by buying and using a new SD card they got from Amazon.
4. Adjust the Screw Holding the Thermistor in Place
Another way to fix boot screen issues is to check the screw holding the thermistor in place and ensure it is not too loose or tight. A loose screw can cause the printer to get inaccurate temperature readings or not get them at all, thus failing to proceed with the boot process.
On the other hand, if the thermistor screw is too tightened, it might short, thus preventing the printer from successfully booting. To fix this issue, you can follow the procedure below:
Turn off your Ender 3 by flipping the power switch or unplugging it from the power source.
Unplug the power cable from the printer and wait for about 30 seconds.
Locate the thermistor on the hot end assembly. It is usually attached to the heater block with a screw.
Using a suitable screwdriver, gently loosen or tighten the screw holding the thermistor in place. It shouldn’t be too tight or too loose. It should just keep the thermistor in place. Also, ensure the thermistor snugs against the heater block.
Plug in the power cable and power on your Ender 3.
Check if the printer boots up successfully. If the issue persists, you can try any of the other methods I’ve mentioned in this article.
A user said he had a booting issue with his Ender 3 V2 after buying it and trying to update the firmware. He later realized the thermistor was too loose to allow the printer to boot normally. To fix the issue, he tightened the screw.
Someone recommended checking the screw on your thermistor if your Ender 3 printer fails to start when booting. He said you should turn off your printer, take a Philips head screwdriver and loosen the thermistor. Once you’re done, turn on the printer again.
This fix worked perfectly for another user who said his thermistor screw was too tight, causing a short circuit that made the booting process impossible. Releasing the screw was the solution.
Here is a resourceful video by Matt Anderson that provides a trick you could use to ensure that your thermistor screw leaves the right gap.
Michael Dwamena is the founder of 3D Printerly, a platform dedicated to simplifying 3D printing for hobbyists and professionals alike. Owns over 20 3D printers (filament and resin) and has plenty experience 3D printing. Michael has authored over 900 articles, helping millions navigate the exciting world of 3D printing.
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