Neptune 4 TL4970 and Neptune 4 Pro TL4972 - how to update firmware – Electus Distribution

This page provides info for updating printer firmware, however you would not normally need to update the firmware, unless directed to by support staff.

Which printer version do I have?

The Neptune 4 TL4970 and Neptune 4 Pro TL4972 printers have two hardware versions. The firmware update process and files are different for each version.

Ribbon-cable version:

Type-C version:

How to do a firmware update for the Ribbon-cable version

The firmware file is available from Elegoo's website - you will need a PC & a FAT32-formatted USB stick.

Visit their site
Select Neptune 3D Printer, then Neptune 4 (or Neptune 4 Pro) depending on your printer model
Click the top download link under Ribbon-Cable Version to get the latest firmware
Extract the downloaded Zip file to a new folder on your PC.
Navigate to the firmware folder, then drill down to 1.2A\Firmware pack-NEPTUNE 4-APP_V1.1.x.x
Copy the entire folder ELEGOO_UPDATE_DIR and paste it to the USB stick
Plug the USB stick into your printer and power it on
Go to Settings, About Machine, press the light-blue up-arrow at the bottom
Press Confirm, wait for the update to complete and the printer to restart
Go to Settings, press Factory Reset and wait for it to restart
Go to Level, set your Z-offset and do Automatic Levelling
Press the floppy disk icon on the top-right to save

How to do a firmware update for the Type-C version

There are two ways to update:

1: When the printer is working normally

2: When you can not get the screen to open Settings, About Machine or it can't upload from a USB stick

You can do option 1 to update the firmware with just a PC & USB stick, if the printer is working OK.

If the printer is not booting, has been flashed with the wrong firmware, or won't accept the upload from the USB stick, you will need to do option 2, where you remove the EMMC board from the motherboard, and use a Makerbase USB EMMC adapter (sold separately) to flash it.

Option 1: How to update firmware when the Type-C printer is working OK

Download the firmware file here
Extract the Zip file to a new folder
Copy the entire folder ELEGOO_UPDATE_DIR and paste it to the USB stick
Plug the USB stick into your printer and power it on
Go to Settings, About Machine, press the light-blue up-arrow at the bottom
Press Confirm, wait for the update to complete and restart the printer
Go to Settings, press Factory Reset and wait for it to restart
Go to Level, set your Z-offset and do Automatic Levelling
Press the floppy disk icon on the top-right to save

Option 2: How to update the firmware by flashing the EMMC board

The firmware for Neptune 4 & 4 Pro is here - you'll need a PC & a Makerbase USB EMMC adapter.

Download the file from the link above
Extract the IMG file to a new folder on your PC
Unplug the printer power cable & remove the bottom panel from under it (Philips screws)
Disconnect the fan cable plug from the motherboard (note which socket it was in)
Remove the two Philips screws from the EMMC board
Gently pull the board upwards at the screw holes to remove it
Plug the board into the EMMC adapter as shown below
Plug the adapter into the PC's USB port
Download the Raspberry Pi Imager here
Install the RPi Imager and open it
Click OS, then Use custom
Navigate to the IMG file you extracted earlier, and open it
Select Storage, choose the EMMC, and press Next
Press Write
Press I Understand, Erase and write
Wait for the write to complete, then wait for it to verify
Unplug the EMMC adapter from the PC and remove the board
Reinstall the EMMC board into the printer and screw it down
Plug the motherboard fan cable in, and reinstall the cover
Connect the the printer power cable and turn it on
Go to Settings, press Factory Reset and wait for it to restart
Go to Level, set your Z-offset and do Automatic Levelling
Press the floppy disk icon on the top-right to save