Firmware Updates: Keeping Marlin and Klipper Current

Danielle A.

Why Update?

Firmware updates aren't just about new features; they're often, more importantly, about safety fixes, performance improvements, and bug corrections that affect every print you make. Contributors worldwide regularly find and fix issues in the Marlin and Klipper projects, which are both actively developed. Running firmware from 2022 may mean missing critical thermal runaway protection improvements, motion quality fixes that affect your print quality, or new capabilities that save you hours of manual calibration work.

The prudent approach is to stay reasonably current, not necessarily on the leading edge of every development branch, but within 2–3 major release cycles of the current stable version. Check for updates quarterly or whenever you notice specific issues that a newer version might address.

Updating Marlin: The Compile-and-Flash Workflow

Marlin updates require compiling custom firmware because the code must be configured specifically for your printer's hardware, board type, bed size, thermistor type, endstop configuration, and enabled features. The process: download the latest Marlin release from the official Marlin GitHub repository. Copy your existing Configuration.h and Configuration_adv.h files into the new release (compare them against the new default configs to catch any new settings that didn't exist in your old version; these need manual decisions). Install PlatformIO in VS Code (the official build environment). Select your board in platformio.ini. Build and flash via USB. Verify temperature readings, motion, and basic function before printing.

The single most common update error: failing to update the configuration files alongside the firmware source. Updating only the firmware source without merging your configuration produces firmware with all default settings, including the wrong bed size, wrong thermistor, and wrong board. Always update configuration files as part of the process.

Updating Klipper: Much Simpler

Klipper's architecture makes updates dramatically easier than Marlin. The Python-based host software on the Raspberry Pi can be updated with: cd ~/klipper && git pull. The printer board firmware then needs recompiling and reflashing: make menuconfig (select your board), make (compile), and flash via the appropriate method for your board. The KIAUH (Klipper Installation and Update Helper) script automates this process considerably, as it handles updates for Klipper, Moonraker, Mainsail, and Fluidd simultaneously with menu driven selections.

Check the Klipper release notes (CHANGES.md on GitHub) before updating, as it occasionally changes to the configuration format, requiring corresponding changes to printer.cfg. Breaking changes are explicitly documented and typically include migration instructions. After updating, run FIRMWARE_RESTART in the Klipper interface and verify all functions: homing, temperature control, macros, and input shaping parameters. Print a test print to confirm performance is maintained or improved post-update.