# Setting Up Your Qidi Tech X-Max 3 ## About Your Printer Great news! Your **Qidi Tech X-Max 3** is a "smart" printer that already runs Klipper firmware. This makes setup much easier. **What this means:** Your printer already has built-in networking and runs Klipper (advanced firmware). It has a web interface (usually "Mainsail" or "Fluidd") that SimplyPrint can connect to directly. We can install the SimplyPrint companion software directly **on** the printer itself. **No extra hardware needed!** You just need to enable SimplyPrint in your printer's web interface. **What you'll need:** - Your printer connected to your WiFi network - Access to the printer's web interface (usually at `http://your-printer-ip`) - A SimplyPrint account Let's get started with the setup! --- ## Makerbase-powered models Setup Guide ### Step 1: Set up SimplyPrint ## Before You Start: SSH **This setup involves connecting to your printer using SSH.** SSH is a way to communicate with your printer from your computer using text commands. You'll see a simple text window where you type (or paste) commands. **What will you do with SSH?** You'll run a few commands that we provide — mostly just copy and paste. SSH lets us configure settings on your printer that aren't accessible through its touchscreen. **New to SSH?** No problem! We have a beginner-friendly guide: [SSH: What is it and how to use it](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/ssh-what-is-it-and-how-to-use-it-1pb1aq0/) **We'll give you the exact commands to run.** > **What this guide does:** Your printer's Moonraker installation is outdated or uses a manufacturer-modified version > that doesn't include SimplyPrint support. This guide uses a script to install a fresh, up-to-date Moonraker instance > with SimplyPrint built in - alongside your existing setup. Your Klipper configuration is not modified. > > **Note:** If you can access Mainsail or Fluidd on your printer and cannot get in via SSH, > try the [regular Klipper setup](/setup-guide/methods/klipper-powered) instead - your printer may work with the standard setup. > We're not 100% sure every printer listed here has the Makerbase issue; some may work fine with the regular method. > > **Use at your own risk:** This script has been tested on many printers and installs a separate Moonraker instance > alongside your existing setup - it does not modify your Klipper configuration or firmware. However, any modification > to your printer's software carries some risk. We cannot guarantee compatibility with every printer or configuration, > and we are not responsible for any issues that may arise. If something goes wrong, you can typically remove the > installed files and restart your printer to revert to its original state. > ℹ️ **What this guide does:** Your printer's Moonraker installation is outdated or uses a manufacturer-modified version that doesn't include SimplyPrint support.** > This guide uses a script to install a fresh, up-to-date Moonraker instance** with SimplyPrint built in - alongside your existing setup. **Your Klipper configuration is not modified.** > ℹ️ **Can you access Mainsail or Fluidd?:** If you can access your printer's web interface (Mainsail or Fluidd) and **cannot get in via SSH**, try the [regular Klipper setup](/setup-guide/methods/klipper-powered) instead - your printer may work with the standard setup. We're not 100% sure every printer listed here has the Makerbase issue; some may work fine with the regular method. --- ### 1. Find your printer's IP address You need to know your printer's IP address to connect to it. - The IP address usually **shows on your printer's screen** or in its network settings - Can't find it? Check your **router settings** for connected devices - Or use a network scanner tool like [Angry IP Scanner](https://angryip.org/) --- ### 1. Find your printer's IP address You need to know your printer's IP address to connect to it. --- ### 2. Connect via SSH SSH lets you run commands on your printer's built-in computer. Open a terminal on your computer: - **Windows:** Press Win + X and select "Terminal" or "PowerShell" - **macOS:** Press Cmd + Space, search for "Terminal", and press Enter - **Linux:** Press Ctrl + Alt + T Once your terminal is open, connect to your printer: ``` ssh mks@YOUR_IP_ADDRESS ``` Replace `YOUR_IP_ADDRESS` with your printer's IP address, e.g. `ssh mks@192.168.1.42` When prompted for a password, type `makerbase` and press Enter. The password won't show as you type - that's normal. --- ### 2. Connect via SSH SSH lets you run commands on your printer's built-in computer. Once your terminal is open, connect to your printer: --- ### 3. Fix date if you encounter SSL errors Most Makerbase-powered printers - especially Qidi Tech models - have the system clock set incorrectly. This causes SSL certificate errors when downloading files. If you see an error like `ERROR: The certificate of 'download.simplyprint.io' is not trusted`, run this command first: ``` sudo date -s 'YYYY-MM-DD' ``` **Replace `YYYY-MM-DD` with today's date**, e.g. `sudo date -s '2026-04-09'`. You may be prompted for a password - use `makerbase`. --- ### 3. Fix date if you encounter SSL errors > ⚠️ **SSL certificate error?:** Most Makerbase-powered printers - especially Qidi Tech models - have the **system clock set incorrectly**. This causes SSL certificate errors when downloading files. > > If you see an error like ERROR: The certificate of 'download.simplyprint.io' is not trusted, run this command first: --- ### 4. Install SimplyPrint The script requires **bash**, **git**, and **Python 3.7+** on the printer. These are pre-installed on virtually all Klipper printers, so you shouldn't need to install anything extra. Now we'll download and run the installer script. **Step 1:** Download the installer script: ``` wget -O moonraker-sp.sh https://download.simplyprint.io/klipper/moonraker-sp.sh && chmod +x moonraker-sp.sh ``` **Step 2:** Run the installer: ``` ./moonraker-sp.sh --install ``` You may be prompted for a password - use `makerbase`. > **This can take a while - don't worry!** When the script says "Installing moonraker dependencies..." it can take **up to 10 minutes**. The printer's board is not very powerful, and it's upgrading Python packages in the background. Don't cancel or restart - just let it finish. --- ### 4. Install SimplyPrint Now we'll download and run the installer script. The script requires **bash**, **git**, and **Python 3.7+** on the printer. These are pre-installed on virtually all Klipper printers. > ℹ️ **This can take a while - don't worry!:** When the script says **"Installing moonraker dependencies..."**, it can take **up to 10 minutes**. The printer's board is not very powerful, and it's upgrading Python packages in the background. **Don't cancel or restart** - just let it finish. --- ### 5. Get your setup code Once the script finishes, it will display your printer's **setup code**. Use this code to link your printer in the [SimplyPrint panel](https://simplyprint.io/panel/printers?add_printer), or check if your printer shows up automatically under **Pending Printers**. **That's it!** Your printer is now running a fresh Moonraker instance with SimplyPrint enabled. You can continue using your printer's touchscreen and existing Klipper setup as normal. **What does this script do?** It installs a separate, up-to-date Moonraker instance with the SimplyPrint component alongside your existing printer setup. Your existing Klipper configuration and web interface (Mainsail/Fluidd) are not modified. The new Moonraker instance runs on a different port and only handles the SimplyPrint connection. --- ### 5. Get your setup code > ✅ **That's it!:** Your printer is now running a fresh Moonraker instance with SimplyPrint enabled. You can continue using your printer's touchscreen and existing Klipper setup as normal. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is a Makerbase mainboard? Makerbase (MKS) is a manufacturer of 3D printer control boards. Several printer brands - including Elegoo, Qidi Tech, and Comgrow - use Makerbase mainboards in their Klipper printers. These boards often ship with an outdated or modified version of Moonraker that doesn't include SimplyPrint support. ### Why can't I use the regular Klipper setup? Printers with Makerbase mainboards typically ship with a modified or outdated version of Moonraker that's missing the `[simplyprint]` component. The manufacturer's version often can't be easily updated through the web interface, so we use a script that installs a fresh, up-to-date Moonraker instance alongside your existing setup. ### What does the moonraker-sp.sh script do? The script installs a separate, up-to-date Moonraker instance with full SimplyPrint support. It runs alongside your existing Klipper setup without modifying your printer's configuration. Think of it as adding a new "bridge" between SimplyPrint and your printer. ### I get SSL certificate errors during installation This is common on Makerbase-powered printers, especially Qidi Tech models, because the system clock is often set incorrectly. Fix it by running: `sudo date -s 'YYYY-MM-DD'` (replace with today's date). Then retry the installation. ### The installation seems stuck on "Installing moonraker dependencies..." This is normal! The printer's board is not very powerful, and this step upgrades Python packages in the background. It can take **up to 10 minutes**. Don't cancel or restart - just wait for it to finish. ### Can I use Mainsail or Fluidd instead of SSH? If you can access Mainsail or Fluidd on your printer and the regular [Klipper setup](/setup-guide/methods/klipper-powered) works for you - great! This SSH-based guide is specifically for when the regular method doesn't work because Moonraker is outdated or the `[simplyprint]` component is missing.