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# Why does my Bambu Lab printer show as "Not connected"?

# Why does my Bambu Lab printer show as "Not connected"?

If your Bambu Lab printer shows as "Not connected" in SimplyPrint, it means the **SimplyPrint Bambu Lab Client** (the application running on a PC, Raspberry Pi, or always-on device that SimplyPrint uses to talk to your Bambu printer) is reachable, but the client itself can't reach the printer.

This is rarer than the OctoPrint not-connected state, but it does happen. Most often it's a network or printer-side configuration issue, not a SimplyPrint issue.

> If the entire Bambu Lab Client is unreachable (not just one printer), you'll see "Offline" instead - see [Why is my Bambu Lab printer offline?](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/why-is-my-bambu-lab-printer-offline-zo4a4h/), specifically the "Online in client but offline in SimplyPrint" section.

## Quick checklist

1. Is the printer powered on?
2. Is the printer on the same network as the device running the SimplyPrint Bambu Lab Client?
3. Are **LAN-only Mode** and **Developer Mode** enabled on the printer?
4. Does the access code in SimplyPrint match the one on the printer screen?

## 1. Printer is powered off or on a different network

Bambu printers need to be on the **same local network** as the device running the SimplyPrint Bambu Lab Client. They will not connect over the public internet.

**Common gotchas:**

| Setup issue | Fix |
| --- | --- |
| Printer on guest WiFi | Move printer to main network |
| Printer on a separate VLAN | Move to same VLAN as the client |
| Printer on 5 GHz, client on 2.4 GHz (or vice versa) on a network that isolates bands | Connect both to the same band, or unify the SSID |
| Client running on a sleeping laptop | Use an always-on device (Pi, mini PC) instead |

**Quick test:** From the device running the client, try to ping the printer's IP (`ping <printer-ip>` in a terminal). If that fails, fix the network first - SimplyPrint can't help here.

## 2. Access code mismatch

The **access code** is what lets the SimplyPrint Bambu Lab Client talk to your printer. It must match exactly.

**Find it on your printer:**

| Model | Location |
| --- | --- |
| A1 / A1 Mini | Settings > WLAN/Network > LAN-only Mode |
| P1P / P1S | Settings > WLAN/Network |
| X1 / X1C / X1E | Settings > LAN Mode |
| H2D / P2 | Settings > LAN Mode |

If the access code changed (some firmware updates rotate it), update it in SimplyPrint or re-add the printer.

> On A1 / A1 Mini, you need to **enable LAN-only Mode first** to see the code. If the code is all zeros, toggle LAN-only Mode off and back on.

## 3. LAN-only Mode + Developer Mode

For full SimplyPrint functionality, **both** modes need to be enabled on the printer:

- **LAN-only Mode** - enabled
- **Developer Mode** - enabled

Without Developer Mode you may see the printer but can't actually start prints. Full instructions: [LAN-only Mode and Developer Mode - how to enable](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/bambu-lab-lan-only-mode-and-developer-mode-how-to-enable-xa0hch/).

> After enabling LAN-only Mode for the first time, power-cycle the printer.

## 4. Was it working before?

If your Bambu printer was connecting fine and then stopped:

- **Did the printer firmware update recently?** Some updates reset LAN-only Mode or rotate the access code. Re-enable Developer Mode and re-check the code.
- **Did the SimplyPrint Bambu Lab Client update?** Restart the client. On Windows, end all SimplyPrint processes in Task Manager and start it again.
- **Did your router or network change?** The printer may have a new IP. Check the printer screen for the current IP.

For more on post-firmware-update issues: [Printer stopped working after firmware upgrade](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/bambu-lab-printer-stopped-working-after-firmware-upgrade-cant-start-prints-anymore-pjmcrt/).

## 5. Test with BambuStudio

Not sure if it's a SimplyPrint issue or a network/printer issue?

1. Install BambuStudio on the **same device** running the SimplyPrint Bambu Lab Client.
2. Add the printer using the same IP, access code, and serial number.
3. Try to connect.

| BambuStudio | SimplyPrint | Problem is |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Works | Doesn't work | SimplyPrint client (gather logs, post on Discord) |
| Doesn't work | Doesn't work | Network, printer, or firmware |
| Can see, can't print | Can see, can't print | Developer Mode not enabled |

## Still stuck?

Get your client logs ([Where to find logs](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/bambu-lab-integration-where-to-find-your-logs-18vmobp/)) and post on:

- **SimplyPrint Discord:** [simplyprint.io/discord](https://simplyprint.io/discord)

---

## Related articles

- [Why does my printer show as "Not connected"?](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/why-does-my-printer-show-as-not-connected-m5gdmh/)
- [Why is my Bambu Lab printer offline?](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/why-is-my-bambu-lab-printer-offline-zo4a4h/)
- [Connecting Bambu Lab printers to SimplyPrint](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/connecting-bambu-lab-printers-to-simplyprint-xqlhtd/)
- [LAN-only mode and Developer Mode - how to enable](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/bambu-lab-lan-only-mode-and-developer-mode-how-to-enable-xa0hch/)
- [Bambu Lab integration: where to find your logs](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/bambu-lab-integration-where-to-find-your-logs-18vmobp/)