~2 min read
Desktop & Mobile App User Guide

Connecting & Discovering Network Printers

MakerSpell leverages zero-configuration local network discovery to automatically find your 3D printers without tedious manual setup.

1. Automatic Discovery

Network Printers Screen

  1. Ensure your 3D printer is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi or Ethernet network as your computer or smartphone.
  2. In MakerSpell, open the "Network Printers" screen from the navigation menu.
  3. Click the "Scan / Refresh" button in the top-right corner.
  4. MakerSpell scans local mDNS (Zeroconf), CrealityOS, and Moonraker ports across your subnet.
  5. Within seconds, your printer (e.g. Creality K1, Snapmaker U1, Klipper/Moonraker) will appear in the fleet list.
  6. When the connection indicator turns green, the printer is online and ready to operate.

2. Adding a Printer Manually via IP

If your router blocks multicast traffic (mDNS) or your printer is on a different subnet:

  1. Click the "Add Printer" (+) button on the Network Printers screen.
  2. Enter the device parameters:
  • Display Name: A friendly label (e.g., Workshop K1 Max).
  • IP Address: The local IPv4 address shown on your printer display (e.g., 192.168.1.105).
  • Port:
  • Klipper / Moonraker default: 7125
  • CrealityOS (K1, Ender-3 V3, Hi): 80
  • OctoPrint: 80 or 5000
  • Driver / Protocol: Select the matching driver (e.g. Creality Local v2, Moonraker, OctoPrint).
  1. Click "Test Connection & Save". Once confirmed, your printer is saved permanently.

3. Dynamic IP Changes (DHCP Stability)

If your router reassigns IP addresses after a reboot, MakerSpell’s Stable Hardware ID architecture retains your printer configuration. The app tracks the hardware identity (MAC/UUID) in the background and transparently reconnects as soon as the printer appears on its new IP address.

← PreviousApp Overview & Features