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Neptune 4 Plus TL4974 and Neptune 4 Max TL4976 - how to update firmware

Updated

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 Plus TL4974 and Neptune 4 Max TL4976 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.

  1. Visit their site

  2. Select Neptune 3D Printer, then Neptune 4 Plus (or Neptune 4 Max) depending on your printer model

  3. Click the top download link under Ribbon-Cable Version to get the latest firmware

  4. Extract the downloaded Zip file to a new folder on your PC.
  5. Navigate to the firmware folder, then drill down to Firmware pack-4xxx_V1.x.x.x

  6. Copy the folder ELEGOO_UPDATE_DIR and paste it to the USB stick

  7. Plug the USB stick into your printer and power it on

  8. Go to Settings, About Machine, press the light-blue up-arrow at the bottom

  9. Press Confirm, wait for the update to complete and the printer to restart 
  10. Go to Settings, press Factory Reset and wait for it to restart
  11. Go to Level, set your Z-offset and do Automatic Levelling
  12. 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 after a firmware update, 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

  1. Download the matching firmware for your printer model: Neptune 4 Plus - Neptune 4 Max
  2. Extract the Zip file to a new folder

  3. Copy the folder ELEGOO_UPDATE_DIR and paste it to the USB stick

  4. Plug the USB stick into your printer and power it on

  5. Go to Settings, About Machine, press the light-blue up-arrow at the bottom

  6. Press Confirm, wait for the update to complete and restart the printer
  7. Go to Settings, press Factory Reset and wait for it to restart
  8. Go to Level, set your Z-offset and do Automatic Levelling
  9. Press the floppy disk icon on the top-right to save

Option 2: How to recover the printer by flashing the EMMC board

You will need to do this process if your printer can not get to the About Machine screen to upload a firmware as described above. 

The O/S for Neptune 4 Plus & 4 Max is here - you'll need a PC & a Makerbase USB EMMC adapter.

  1. Download the file from the link above

  2. Extract the IMG file to a new folder on your PC

  3. Unplug the printer power cable & remove the bottom panel from under it (Philips screws)

  4. Disconnect the fan cable plug from the motherboard (note which socket it was in)

  5. Remove the two Philips screws from the EMMC board

  6. Gently pull the board upwards at the screw holes to remove it

  7. Plug the board into the EMMC adapter as shown below

  8. Plug the adapter into the PC's USB port
  9. Download the Raspberry Pi Imager here
  10. Install the RPi Imager and open it

  11. Click OS, then Use custom

  12. Navigate to the IMG file you extracted earlier, and open it

  13. Select Storage, choose the EMMC, and press Next

  14. Press Write

  15. Press I Understand, Erase and write

  16. Wait for the write to complete, then wait for it to verify
  17. Unplug the EMMC adapter from the PC and remove the board
  18. Reinstall the EMMC board into the printer and screw it down
  19. Plug the motherboard fan cable in, and reinstall the cover
  20. Connect the the printer power cable and turn it on
  21. Open Settings, About Machine & check the model name (Neptune 4 Plus  or 4 Max)
  22. If the printer shows the correct model, you can do Factory Reset, Z-offset and level it
  23. If the printer model is wrong, do Option 1 with a USB stick & matching model firmware

 

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