# Setting Up Your Flashforge AD5X ## About Your Printer Your **Flashforge AD5X** has good potential, but there's an extra step before we can connect it. **The situation:** The manufacturer has shipped this printer with restrictive software that doesn't allow third-party integrations like SimplyPrint. However, the 3D printing community has created alternative firmware that removes these restrictions. **What this means:** Before SimplyPrint can be installed, you'll need to install community-made or unofficial firmware that "opens up" the printer. This is sometimes called "rooting" the printer. **Why is this needed?** This isn't a SimplyPrint limitation - it's a restriction imposed by the manufacturer. They chose not to be open and easy to integrate with. We do our best to make SimplyPrint as easy to install as humanly possible, but in this case, the manufacturer's choices require an extra step. **Is it safe?** Community firmware is generally well-tested and often adds useful features beyond just enabling SimplyPrint. However, it may void your manufacturer warranty. The choice is yours. **After rooting:** Once the community firmware is installed, SimplyPrint can be installed directly on the printer just like any other Klipper-based printer. **Need help with rooting?** Check our guides or community forums for your specific printer model. --- ## Setup Options ### Recommended: AD5X We have a specific setup guide for your Flashforge AD5X. Follow these steps for the best experience. **Note:** This setup requires flashing custom firmware ### Alternative Options - **[Standard setup (OctoPrint-powered)](/setup-guide/methods/octoprint-powered.md)**: If you prefer using a Raspberry Pi with OctoPrint instead of the printer's built-in web interface ### Need Help Deciding? - Your printer needs custom firmware installed before SimplyPrint can be set up - Follow the rooting/firmware guide first, then come back here - After rooting, your printer will run Klipper and can connect directly --- ## AD5X Setup Guide ### Step 1: AD5X ZMOD firmware ## Before You Start: Custom Firmware **This printer requires custom firmware to work with SimplyPrint.** We know that sounds technical — and it is one of the more involved setups — but we've worked hard to make it as straightforward as possible. **Why is custom firmware needed?** Some printer manufacturers don't provide an easy way for platforms like SimplyPrint to communicate with their printers. The community has developed alternative firmware that unlocks these capabilities. **Is this safe?** Yes. The firmware we guide you through: - Is developed and tested by active communities - Can typically be removed to restore your original firmware - Preserves your printer's core functionality In most cases, you can always roll back to stock firmware or factory reset your printer if needed. **A note about warranty** Some manufacturers may consider custom firmware a warranty modification. The risk is low — to date, we haven't had a single known case of a SimplyPrint user damaging their printer or being denied warranty repair because of this setup. That said, it's ultimately your choice to proceed. **Estimated time:** 15–30 minutes **We'll guide you through every step.** > ℹ️ **Experimental support:** SimplyPrint support for the AD5X via ZMOD is **experimental**: it's been confirmed by a couple of users but is not tested in-house. Some features like material mapping may not work or are unknown. Welcome to the **Flashforge AD5X** setup guide for SimplyPrint (via **ZMOD**). This guide walks you through installing **ZMOD**, a community firmware modification that brings **Fluidd/Mainsail + Moonraker** to your AD5X. Once ZMOD is running, SimplyPrint can connect to the printer through the standard Moonraker flow. The ZMOD wiki is always the source of truth, the links below are kept up to date there. - **AD5X wiki page:** [https://wiki.zmod.link/AD5X/#ad5x](https://wiki.zmod.link/AD5X/#ad5x) - **ZMOD GitHub:** [https://github.com/ghzserg/zmod](https://github.com/ghzserg/zmod) - **SimplyPrint discussion for AD5X:** [https://github.com/ghzserg/zmod/discussions/196](https://github.com/ghzserg/zmod/discussions/196) --- ### Before you begin **What you'll need:** - A USB flash drive formatted as **FAT / FAT16 / FAT32** - An AD5X running a compatible stock firmware (**1.0.2 to 1.1.7**, with **1.1.7 recommended**) **Important:** ZMOD installation on the AD5X can take up to **40 minutes**. Do **not** remove the USB drive or power off the printer while it's running, you'll see an "Installation in progress" screen, followed by "Installation is complete" when it's done. --- ### 1. Install ZMOD Follow the official **Installing the mod** instructions on the ZMOD wiki, the wiki is the source of truth and has screenshots for each step: [https://wiki.zmod.link/Setup/#installing-the-mod](https://wiki.zmod.link/Setup/#installing-the-mod) Short version: 1. If your AD5X isn't already on a compatible stock firmware, restore it first using the Native Firmware `.tgz` linked on the wiki. 2. Download the latest **AD5X ZMOD release** (`AD5X-zmod-*.tgz`) from [https://github.com/ghzserg/zmod/releases/](https://github.com/ghzserg/zmod/releases/). 3. **Verify the MD5 checksum** against the value listed on the ZMOD release page. 4. Copy the `.tgz` file to the **root** of your FAT32 USB drive. 5. Power off the printer, insert the USB drive, then power it back on. 6. Wait for the install to complete (up to 40 minutes). Do not interrupt it. 7. When the "Installation is complete" screen appears, remove the USB drive and power-cycle the printer. After install, ZMOD exposes a **Fluidd/Mainsail** web UI and a **Moonraker** API on your printer. --- ### 2. Open the web interface Find your printer's IP address directly on the touchscreen: **Home** → **info (i)** button → look for **IP Address**. Then open the web interface in a browser: - **Fluidd / Mainsail:** `http://[printer-ip]/` (port 80) - **Moonraker API:** `http://[printer-ip]:7125` Replace `[printer-ip]` with your AD5X's IP address. If the web interface does not open, the stock firmware may have disabled the mod. Re-enable it by copying `AD5X-ENABLE-zmod.tgz` to a USB drive and booting from it, see the ZMOD wiki for details. --- ### 3. Update ZMOD components Once you're inside Fluidd/Mainsail: 1. Go to **Settings** → **Software Updates**. 2. Click **Check for Updates**, then **Update All**, this brings Fluidd, Mainsail, Klipper, Moonraker and ZMOD to their latest versions. 3. If some plugins show as **Invalid / "Repo is corrupt"**, click **Recover** on each. This is expected on a fresh install, plugins are downloaded separately from the firmware. **Version compatibility:** the printer's OS version (**System** → **Distribution**) must match the first two digits of the ZMOD version (**Settings** → **Updates** → `ffm5/zmod`). Mismatched versions can cause instability. --- ### Camera fix (recommended) If the stock camera doesn't stream reliably, or doesn't show up in SimplyPrint, switch to ZMOD's alternative camera implementation: - Run the `CAMERA_ON` macro from the Fluidd/Mainsail console. - Full details: [https://wiki.zmod.link/Zmod/#camera_on](https://wiki.zmod.link/Zmod/#camera_on) The alternative camera uses fewer resources and allows resolution changes. --- ### Notes & limitations - **UI language:** change it via the `LANG` macro (e.g. `LANG LANG=en` for English, also `DE`, `IT`, `FR`, `ES`, `ZH`, `JA`, `KO`). - **Material mapping** support in SimplyPrint for the AD5X via ZMOD is **currently unknown**, it hasn't been verified in-house. - If you run into trouble, check the ZMOD wiki and the SimplyPrint discussion linked at the top of this page. --- Now, **proceed to the next step** to enable SimplyPrint on your AD5X. The next step will ask you to add `[simplyprint]` to **`/mod_data/user.moonraker.conf`**, not to `moonraker.conf`, ZMOD manages the latter itself. ### Step 2: Enable SimplyPrint Your printer runs Klipper firmware with a web interface (Mainsail or Fluidd). Here's how to connect it to SimplyPrint. #### Find Your Printer's IP Address You need to access your printer's web interface using its IP address (looks like `192.168.1.XXX`). **How to find it:** - **Printer's touchscreen:** Check Settings → Network or WiFi section (location varies by printer) - **Router admin page:** Look for connected devices and find your printer's name - **Network scanner app:** Use an app like "Fing" on your phone to scan your network - **mDNS hostname:** Some printers respond to hostnames like `http://mainsail.local` or `http://fluidd.local` Once you have the IP, type it in any web browser: `http://192.168.1.XXX` You'll see your printer's web interface - either **Mainsail** (dark theme, sidebar on left) or **Fluidd** (lighter theme, gear icon for settings). **Note:** Some printers run their interface on a specific port (e.g., `http://192.168.1.XXX:4408`). If the default doesn't work, check your printer's documentation. --- #### Add `[simplyprint]` to Your Configuration **If you use Mainsail:** 1. Click **Machine** in the left sidebar 2. Under **Config Files**, click `moonraker.conf` - NOTE: If you have a custom config file or one called `moonraker.generated.config`, edit that instead 3. Add this to the bottom of the file (with an empty line above): ``` [simplyprint] ``` 4. Click **Save & Restart** **If you use Fluidd:** 1. Click the **gear icon** (Configuration) 2. Under **Configuration Files**, click `moonraker.conf` - NOTE: If you have a custom config file or one called `moonraker.generated.config`, edit that instead 3. Add this to the bottom of the file (with an empty line above): ``` [simplyprint] ``` 4. Click **Save & Restart** --- #### Link Your Printer to SimplyPrint After saving and restarting, your printer should appear automatically in SimplyPrint! 1. Go to [SimplyPrint.io](https://simplyprint.io) and log in 2. Click **Add Printer** 3. Check **Pending Printers** - your printer will likely appear there automatically 4. Click to add it and you're done! 🎉 **If your printer doesn't appear in Pending Printers:** This can happen if you're not on the same network as your printer (different outgoing IP). In this case, use the setup code: 1. In your printer's web interface, click the **bell icon** (🔔) in the top bar 2. Find the "SimplyPrint Setup Request" notification 3. Copy the setup code and paste it in SimplyPrint under **Add Printer** **Still having trouble?** See our troubleshooting guide: [Printer in setup isn't detected / can't find setup code](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/printer-in-setup-isnt-detected-cant-find-setup-code-3jyftm/). This also helps if you can't find Mainsail/Fluidd or the web interface isn't working. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is ZMOD and why do I need it for my AD5X? ZMOD is a community firmware modification for the Flashforge AD5X that replaces the stock web stack with Fluidd/Mainsail and Moonraker. The AD5X stock firmware does not expose Moonraker, so SimplyPrint cannot connect to it without ZMOD. Once ZMOD is installed, your printer behaves like any other Klipper/Moonraker printer. ### Is SimplyPrint support for the AD5X via ZMOD officially supported? It is currently **experimental**. A couple of users have confirmed it works end-to-end, but we do not test it in-house. Some features such as material mapping are unknown. If you run into trouble, please share details in the SimplyPrint discussion linked from the setup guide. ### Where exactly do I add [simplyprint] - moonraker.conf or user.moonraker.conf? On ZMOD you must add the `[simplyprint]` section to `user.moonraker.conf`, **not** to `moonraker.conf`. ZMOD manages `moonraker.conf` itself and will overwrite any changes you make there. The file lives at `/mod_data/user.moonraker.conf` on the printer, and shows up as `user.moonraker.conf` in the Fluidd/Mainsail Config Files view, the next setup step already points you at the right file. ### Which stock firmware do I need before installing ZMOD? ZMOD supports AD5X stock firmware versions **1.0.2 to 1.1.7**, with **1.1.7 recommended**. If your printer is on a different version, restore it to a compatible one using the Native Firmware `.tgz` linked from the ZMOD wiki first. ### How long does the ZMOD install take? Up to about 40 minutes. The screen will show "Installation in progress" followed by "Installation is complete" when it is done. Do not power off the printer or remove the USB drive while the install is running. ### The Fluidd/Mainsail web interface won't open after install, what now? First confirm the printer's IP on the touchscreen (Home → info (i) button → IP Address) and try `http://[printer-ip]/`. If it still does not load, the stock firmware may have disabled the mod. Re-enable it by copying `AD5X-ENABLE-zmod.tgz` to a FAT32 USB drive and booting from it, see the [AD5X wiki page](https://wiki.zmod.link/AD5X/#ad5x) for the exact steps. ### The AD5X camera doesn't show up in SimplyPrint or doesn't stream reliably. Switch to ZMOD's alternative camera implementation by running the `CAMERA_ON` macro from the Fluidd/Mainsail console. It uses fewer resources and lets you change resolution. Full details: [https://wiki.zmod.link/Zmod/#camera_on](https://wiki.zmod.link/Zmod/#camera_on). ### Does material mapping work on the AD5X via ZMOD? Currently **unknown**. It has not been verified in-house. Multi-material features may or may not behave correctly, please share your experience in the [SimplyPrint discussion](https://github.com/ghzserg/zmod/discussions/196) if you try it.