Neptune 4 TL4970 and Neptune 4 Pro TL4972 - how to update firmware – Jaycar Electronics

This guide details firmware updates for Elegoo Neptune 4 TL4970 and Neptune 4 Pro TL4972 printers, which come with either Ribbon-cable or Type-C hardware, requiring different firmware.

You would not normally need to update the firmware, unless directed to by support staff, or if your printer does not start after an update.

Which printer version do I have?

The Neptune 4 TL4970 and Neptune 4 Pro TL4972 printers have two hardware versions identifiable by different print head cable types and serial numbers. The firmware update process and files are different for each version, so using a wrong firmware may stop the printer from working. Identify your printer below.

Ribbon-cable version - Serial number will be like NEP 4 .xxxxx.xxxx / NEP 4 Pro .xxxxx.xxx:

Type-C version - Serial number will be like NEP 4+.xxxxx.xxx / NEP 4 PRO+.xxxxx.xxx:

Updating firmware for Ribbon-cable Neptune printers

Neptune printers with ribbon cables update via USB stick.

Visit the Elegoo download page here

Select Neptune 3D Printer and your model Neptune 4 / Neptune 4 Pro in the dropdowns

Download the latest Ribbon-cable firmware

Unzip the firmware package and drill down via 1.2A/Firmware pack until you see the “ELEGOO_UPDATE_DIR” folder.

Copy this entire folder to a USB Type-A stick

Insert the stick into the printer's Type-A USB port and power it on

On the touchscreen, tap Settings > About Printer, then tap the arrow at the bottom

(If your printer boots to a Klipper error screen, press the exit arrow on the top-right)

Press the button to start the process and wait till it completes and reboots the printer.

Type-C Neptune firmware updates

Elegoo have made it possible to update recent Type-C Neptune firmwares via the over-the-air updates.

Please visit this page on how to do this: https://wiki.elegoo.com/neptune/neptune-4-pro/type-c-version-how-to-update-frimware

Type-C printers with firmware below 1.3.1.3 must update via USB stick. Firmware 1.3.1.4 can only be applied after upgrading to 1.3.1.3 first.

If you have a Type-C printer which is not able to work with the above instructions, read on below.

How to recover Type-C Neptunes by flashing the EMMC board

You will need to do this process if your Type-C printer can not get to the About Machine screen to upload a firmware as described above, or it fails to upload the firmware from the USB stick or OTA.

The O/S for Type-C 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
Open Settings, About Machine & check the model name (Neptune 4 or 4 Pro)
If the printer shows the correct model, you can do Factory Reset, Z-offset and level it

If the printer model name is wrong after the EMMC flash

Use a USB stick & matching model firmware from here:

https://wiki.elegoo.com/neptune/neptune-4-pro/type-c-version-how-to-update-frimware