Offline Workflow with Prusa 3D Printers
Relevant for
HT90
MK4 family
XL family
MK3.9 family
MK3.5 family
+
Article is also available in following languages
Relevant for
One of the advantages of Prusa printers is their full-fledged functionality without an internet connection. This applies across the entire workflow - from designing your model, through slicing, to transferring the data to the printer. Everything can be done completely offline, without affecting print quality or the printer’s available settings.
We regularly update PrusaSlicer, for example, when introducing a new printer or providing additional improvements and bug fixes. If you want to use these updates on a computer that is not connected to the internet, you can download the full installer from GitHub or binaries in a ZIP file. It includes all settings for all printers, with no need to download anything else online. It is also possible to update only the settings and print profiles by downloading INI files from our GitHub.
If your goal is security and you prefer never connecting your printer to the internet, you still won’t miss out on firmware updates. We support our printers for many years after release, and as always, you can install new firmware via USB. Simply download the firmware from GitHub, insert the USB drive into the printer, and confirm the update by pressing the hardware button “Reset” and selecting “Flash” on the display.
Whatever the reason, the printer can be easily returned to factory settings. This option is found in the menu under System, where you can choose either a quick restore or a full hard reset. Note that a hard reset will also require a USB drive with firmware, as it will erase XFLASH memory in addition to EEPROM data.
Returning the printer to its original state erases the EEPROM, which includes user-stored data. One example is the print history, which can be useful for printer maintenance. A hard reset also clears XFLASH memory, some parts of which will be recreated from scratch when the USB firmware is inserted.
Even though you can disable network access via a software switch in the menu, this may not provide complete reassurance. Any software option is essentially just a promise, and the user cannot have 100% control over what happens in the background. For this reason, we offer the option to never connect the Wi-Fi module, ensuring the printer cannot communicate with the outside world under any circumstances.
As mentioned, the Wi-Fi module can be disconnected or left uninstalled, which alone provides a strong security measure. For critical infrastructure, we also support scenarios where no network components are installed at all, preventing any potential unauthorized connection attempts.
Similarly, the camera can be included for convenience, especially for remote print monitoring, but it is not permanently connected, so it does not pose a privacy risk unless you choose to use it.
Prusa printers may also include an NFC reader, which can be used for quick pairing or, in the future, reading data from a filament spool. The reader itself does not transmit any data, so it does not create network communication. The printer remains fully isolated from the outside world, giving users assurance that no unintended data exchange or tracking occurs.
When using the printer fully offline, this also includes disconnecting from verification servers, such as NTP servers that could potentially reveal the printer’s time zone. You can freely set the date and time manually, without sharing this information in any way.
Finally, all data stored on the printer (including G-Code files and various settings) is temporary. As described above, it can be deleted or overwritten, for example, during firmware updates. If you choose not to share your files, they cannot be misused, and the responsibility for security lies entirely outside the printer.