¶ Q2 Firmware Updates
Important Notes
- Do not downgrade firmware. Updating from a higher version to a lower version may cause abnormal operation or system errors. Always update to the same version or a newer version.
- Please perform an online firmware update after receiving the printer.
- Please keep the QIDIBOX powered on during the update.
- A multi-language UI is supported. If you find translation issues, please contact karl@qd3dprinter.com.
¶ Online Firmware Update (Recommended)
Online updating is the recommended method and ensures you receive the latest stable firmware automatically.
¶ Offline Firmware Update
Use this method only when an online update is unavailable.
Important: The offline procedure differs depending on your current firmware branch. Read Step 1 and Step 2 before copying anything to the USB drive.
¶ Step 1: Check Your Current Firmware Version
Q2 firmware is divided into two branches, and each uses a different offline package layout:
| Branch | Versions | Package layout |
|---|---|---|
| Old UI | 1.0.0 – 1.1.1 | Separate THR / SOC / MCU update files inside the QD_Update folder |
| New UI | 01.01.02.01 and later (UI ported from the MAX4) | The package is copied into QD_Update without extracting |
Check the version currently running on the printer before you start.
Updating a printer that is still on the image-burned 1.0.0 firmware
Update in this exact order: 1.0.0 → 1.1.1 → 01.01.02.01 → latest.
Skipping an intermediate version may damage the SOC (small mainboard). The probability is low, but it does happen.
¶ Step 2: Prepare the Firmware File
Case A — 1.1.1 (or earlier) → 01.01.02.01
An old-UI package is a bundle of three parts:
- THR — adapter board
- SOC — small mainboard (also called AP board / SOC board)
- MCU — mainboard
- Download the official package.
- Extract it, then copy the resulting
QD_Updatefolder to the root directory of the USB flash drive. - Make sure the final path is
USB:\QD_Update\with the THR / SOC / MCU files inside it.
Case B — 01.01.02.01 → a newer version (e.g. 01.01.02.03)
- Do not extract the downloaded package.
- Put the package directly into the
QD_Updatefolder in the root directory of the USB flash drive. - Make sure the final path is
USB:\QD_Update\<package>.zip— for example, updating 01.01.02.01 to 01.01.02.03.
Firmware file naming: CN vs. NA
A file name ending in CN flashes the Chinese firmware; a file name ending in NA flashes the international firmware.
The difference is which QIDI Maker APP the printer can connect to — the Chinese or the international version.
Firmware files: Please contact After-Sales Support to obtain the latest firmware version.
¶ Step 3: Start the Offline Update
Insert the USB flash drive into the printer. Keep the QIDIBOX powered on until the update is finished — do not remove the drive or power off the machine mid-update.
Flashing multiple printers in a row (old-UI firmware only)
If you need to flash old-UI firmware to several printers consecutively, create an empty file namedQD_factory_mode.txtin the root directory of the USB flash drive (the file content must be empty) before you start.
¶ Step 4: Post-Update Calibration
After the update is complete, perform the following calibrations:
- Auto Bed Leveling
- Input Shaping
These steps are required to ensure optimal print quality after a firmware update.
Note for Q2C
The Q2C is a feature-reduced version of the Q2 and shares most of the update procedure above, with two differences:
- The Q2C has no image of its own. It can only be reached from a Q2 image, and the earliest Q2C version is 1.1.0.
- When updating a Q2C, put the Q2C update file into the
QD_Updatefolder and renameQ2CtoQ2in the file name, so that the Q2 firmware recognises it. Then update as usual.
¶ After-Sales Support
If the firmware update fails or the printer does not function as expected, please contact our after-sales support team for assistance.