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?, specifically the "Online in client but offline in SimplyPrint" section.
Quick checklist
- Is the printer powered on?
- Is the printer on the same network as the device running the SimplyPrint Bambu Lab Client?
- Are LAN-only Mode and Developer Mode enabled on the printer?
- 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.
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.
5. Test with BambuStudio
Not sure if it's a SimplyPrint issue or a network/printer issue?
- Install BambuStudio on the same device running the SimplyPrint Bambu Lab Client.
- Add the printer using the same IP, access code, and serial number.
- 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) and post on:
- SimplyPrint Discord: simplyprint.io/discord
Related articles
- Why does my printer show as "Not connected"?
- Why is my Bambu Lab printer offline?
- Connecting Bambu Lab printers to SimplyPrint
- LAN-only mode and Developer Mode - how to enable
- Bambu Lab integration: where to find your logs
Updated on: 25/05/2026
Thank you!