I’ve managed to connect my four Bambu Lab 3D printers to Studio. Though I ended up having to download the Handy app to do this, via my Bambu Lab account. All is now set up, but this means I must go through Bambu’s Cloud to send files to the printers. I don’t want to do this. I prefer to send files directly to the printers, by passing the Cloud.
Yes, I know that I will not be able to use the Handy app. That’s fine because I don’t want to use it in the first place.
So, I know about changing the printers to LAN only mode, but I’ve encountered problems doing this. On my two X1Cs I switched them both to LAN only mode. Both disappeared from Studio, and the Handy app. On Studio I entered the IP address and Access code of one of the X1C. I was able to see this printer. The other two printers, a X1E and a H2S, were still there. As an experiment I closed Studio and then reopened it. The X1C disappeared.
Both the X1E and H2S are new and were set up last week. At first, I could not connect the X1E to Studio, until I used the Handy app. As for the H2S, that was not a problem. I set it to LAN only mode initially and it connected to Studio automatically. Though, I did notice the two X1C were missing at the time (the X1Cs I purchase used earlier in the year).
As mentioned all four printers are visible in Studio and I can send files to any of the four. But, as I said, I don’t want to go through Bambu’s Cloud.
Can someone reply with step-by-step instructions as to how to switch to LAN only mode on all four printers without losing them in Studio? Do I need to logout of my account? Do I need an account on Studio to run all four printers, especially in LAN only mode?
For now I’ll keep the set up as it is. If necessary I can always to go sneaker net mode. That is use the SD cards (USB memory stick in the case of the H2S) to transfer files. Not ideal, but better than having to upload my files to Bambu’s Cloud.
Yes, I followed the Wiki post, but I still encountered losing the X1C printers.
I’m not sure if I need to bind the printers to Studio when I’m not logged into my Bambu Lab account. I’ve not tried this but if I loose the printers, then I’ll need to go through the app again, and try something else. I’m on Windows 11.
Studio’s inability to automatically restore my LAN-only X1C connection is one of many reasons I prefer to use OrcaSlicer.
Every time I start Studio, and sometimes just between prints, the Device tab shows “No Printer”, and I have to reselect it from the dropdown. Studio does usually remember the access code.
OrcaSlicer just automatically connects, so I can send a print without first visiting the device tab to renew the connection.
OrcaSlicer solved the lost connection issue last January. Bambu has not been reluctant to take other fixes and features from open-source OrcaSlicer, so I can only assume that Bambu is intentionally making LAN mode difficult to use.
When I connected the two X1Cs I did encounter some problems after setting to LAN only mode but I did manage to get connection and was able to send files from Studio, on my pc, to the printers via wifi. I did not have the Handy app at the time. Now, after setting up the other two printers, X1E and H2S, via the Handy app I can no longer switch to LAN mode without losing the printers in Studio, except for the H2S. I’m now considering downloading a copy of OrcaSlicers, as you’ve suggested.
Well, I’ve given up in trying to run my printers in LAN mode only. Though, I did download OrcaSlicer and installed it. I also installed Network Plugin when asked.
Opened OrcaSlicer and connected to one of my X1C printers, after setting the printer to LAN mode only.
I entered the IP address and access code and I was able to see it in OrcaSlicer. I imported a file and set it up to print. I proceeded to send to the printer but nothing happened. No dialog box popped up, no warnings, nothing. I checked the printer but nothing came through. I tried it a second time but got the same result.
Did I miss a step when setting OrcaSlicer up?
If I can’t get this to work I guess I’ll default to sneaker net. I’ve just tried this on both my X1C and the H2S. Working well so far, but a bit of a pain.
You also need to select Developer mode on the X1C. Otherwise, the printer still requires “authorization” from Bambu before it will receive any commands. That authorization is only available from Studio or Bambu Connect.
On the one X1C I set it to Developer mode, as well as LAN mode. On Bambu Studio I was able to see it, after entering the IP address and access code. I then closed Studio, reopened it and the X1C was gone from the list.
On OrcaSlicer it had the X1C listed when it opened, as well as the other printers. The X1C was still set with LAN mode and Developer on. I set up a print and sent it to the printer. It transferred and started the print process. This is working now. I’m now going to set my other printers to LAN mode and Developer mode on. Hopefully I’ll have all four printers able to receive print files from OrcaSlicer.
Hi all, or those reading this.
This is my latest discovery.
First, I’ll explain my PC set up at home.
I have two laptop workstations. A Dell M6600 running Windows 7, and a newer Dell (forgot model number) running Windows 11. Both have Bambu Studio. New laptop has Studio 2.3.1.51. The old PC has Studio 2.2.1.60.
I set all of my printers to LAN mode and Developer mode. After starting up the old PC and Bambu Studio I noticed I was not logged into my Bambu account. Yet I was able see both my X1C printers. I also noticed the X1E and H2S, but I had to enter the access code before I could use the. After doing this I loaded a test file in Studio, then sent it to the H2S. File received and started printing. I then switched to the X1E and sent the same file, after changing filament, and it too started printing. I did the same with my 2 X1Cs, switching filaments - both X1Cs have different filament on the AMS, and both printed the parts.
It seems to me that if you set your printer(s) to LAN mode and don’t login to your Bambu account, you can connect to your printer and send files.
On my newer laptop with the newer version of Bambu Studio I can’t do this, while logged into my Bambu account. I’ve not tried logging off Studio but I’ll do this next.
I find this a bit frustrating given that the tech guy, where I purchased both the H2S and X1E, told me you have to be logged into Studio before you can send files to the printers. This is not true, though you may need to have an older version of Studio, like 2.2.1.60.
I am also using my printer (X1C) without being logged in to my slicers.
Be aware that this does change the storage location of your user presets and those presets will not sync.
Logged in, your Studio presets are in subfolders of C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\BambuStudio\user\##########
where ########## is a number.
Without logging in, they will be in C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\BambuStudio\user\default
User presets created while logged in will not be available when logged out, and vice versa.
User presets can be manually ‘synced’ by copying the .info and .json files from one folder to the other.
This may be a useful method of sharing a printer among family members or trusted users on the same LAN, without the need to share a password.
Thank you for your suggestions. So far I’ve not created any presets but I’ll follow your suggestions when I do.
Given that I live alone there is no one that needs to access my printers. Also, I have no desire to use Bambu Handy app, so I can now delete it off my phone.
I now feel secure in the thought that none of my print files will upload to Bambu’s Cloud. I’m sure my customers would like this too.
This is my last post on this subject since this problem has been resolved.
It seems Windows Defender Firewall was problem.
On my old Dell M6600 running Windows 7 the Windows Defender Firewall was turned off. I have ZoneAlarm installed. Since WDF is turned off Bambu Studio is able to list my printers and I can send files to them. And this is without being logged into my Bambu account. Again, all printers set to LAN mode only.
On my newer Dell laptop workstation Windows Defender Firewall was turned on. This PC also has ZoneAlarm. This is the reason I was not able to see my printers. Once I turned off Windows Defender Firewall, started Bambu Studio and, without logging onto my Bambu account, I was able to see the printers.
Problem solved.
Thank you to everyone who offered suggestions on this.