<p>You have written in the comments that</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I did not do anything with to the wiring or firmware when it stopped working</p>
</blockquote>
<p>And that you tried</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Swapping the BLTouch out for the one that belongs to my other printer</p>
</blockquote>
<p>And</p>
<blockquote>
<p>testing the BLTouch with another printer</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It seems from these statements that the answer to your question is: something got damaged in the SKR board. Replacement is probably the only way.</p>
<p>There are however some home made optical/servo proves you can use instead of the BLTouch. They deploy a pin via a servo and use optical endstop for detection. They are reliable and require minimum wiring so that you can reuse the damaged SKR.</p>
<p>You can also try the <a href="https://github.com/Annex-Engineering/Quickdraw_Probe" rel="nofollow noreferrer">quickdraw probe</a> by Annex Engineering.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-01-10T20:32:43.377Z
2022-01-11T12:00:39.763Z
2022-01-11T12:00:39.763Z
FarO
<pre><code>M280 P0 S10   ; deploy
M280 P0 S60   ; alarm release
M280 P0 S90   ; stow
M280 P0 S120  ; test (continuous)
M280 P0 S160  ; alarm release and stow (test 1 cycle)
</code></pre>
<p>Get a serial terminal access (see <a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/q/10573/">What is a printer console/terminal?</a>) to enter G-code commands, issue <code>M280 P0 S120</code> which should start trying to deploy and stow the probe continuously (but in your case likely it won't) - the probe's LED should be blinking slowly. Then turn the small insert screw at the top of the BLTouch to regulate how deep the pin can go, until it deploys and stows correctly.</p>
<p>Also, triple-check the connection between the ribbon cable and the BLTouch, it tends to look seated well, but goes loose if you look at it bad. Make sure to zip-tie the ribbon somewhere to the print head firmly to isolate the plug from movement of the cable, because the cable bending, even very mildly, <em>will</em> loosen the plug.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-06-17T06:59:17.647Z
2024-06-17T07:47:18.010Z
2024-06-17T07:47:18.010Z
SF.
<p>I have 2 printers, an Artillery Sidewinder X1 and an Ender 3 that both have BLTouch sensors installed. This post is about the one (BLTouch clone, the probe is a Smart v3.1 sensor) installed on my Ender.</p>
<p><strong>My problem:</strong></p>
<p>I recently upgraded from Creality's original motherboard to the BigTreeTech SKR mini E3 and touchscreen. Once I had plugged everything in, I flashed the latest firmware with edits made only to suit my BLTouch. I am using the <code>Zmin</code> endstop pin rather than the dedicated BLTouch pin and I double-checked both my wiring and my firmware to make sure my changes were correct. I powered on the printer and everything worked. I even printed a test calibration cube. I was happy with myself for getting everything to work first go and screwed the lid back over the motherboard.</p>
<p>Upon restarting the printer, I tried homing it and the probe would not deploy, and if I did not switch the power off, the extruder assembly would drill into the bed. Using the 'Deploy', 'Stow', and 'Test' buttons do nothing. Running <code>G29</code> or tapping the ABL button on the touchscreen will return similar results to pressing home or running <code>G28</code>, where the probe will not deploy (or stow if I manually pull it down - note that it does not go into error mode when I do that) and crash into the bed.</p>
<p><strong>Things I have tried already:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><p>Running <code>M420 S1</code> - returns <code>failed to enable bed leveling, invalid mesh</code></p>
</li>
<li><p>Running <code>M500</code> and <code>M502</code> after it to clear EEPROM</p>
</li>
<li><p>Double checking that the servo pin is connected to the right socket on the motherboard</p>
</li>
<li><p>Swapping the BLTouch out for the one that belongs to my other printer</p>
</li>
<li><p>Using a multimeter to check the connection between the BLTouch and the servo pin</p>
</li>
<li><p>Enabling <code>BLTOUCH_DELAY 500</code> and <code>BLTOUCH_FORCE_SW_MODE</code></p>
</li>
<li><p>Flipping the servo connector</p>
</li>
<li><p>Using the whole BLTouch connector instead of plugging the Z wires of the BLTouch into the Z endstop port and changing the firmware accordingly.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Wiring Diagram</strong></p>
<p>I used this diagram to wire the sensor:</p>
<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/yvYmx.jpg" alt="Wiring diagram for BigTreeTech SKR mini E3 board" title="Wiring diagram for BigTreeTech SKR mini E3 board" /></p>
<hr />
<p><em>So I am just about at my wit's end with these BLTouch (clone) sensors - with 3 separate posts on this forum regarding them, my own posts even showing in the 'Similar questions' box at the time of writing this post, but amongst all the frustration I have experienced, I have learned a great deal along the way, from the core workings of the firmware to the design of the motherboard.</em></p>
<p><em>4 months later and I still never solved the problem. It seems likely that is a wiring fault or something wrong with the firmware but I have checked the wiring countless times with a multimeter, testing the BLTouch with another printer and using pre-compiled firmware sent to me by BTT support. I am writing to BTT to see if I can get a replacement board but if you have any other ideas I would love to try them.</em></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-02-10T12:24:20.817Z
I have 3 or 4 dead clones lying around here, the only genuine one is the only one that works and keeps working. The clones are of inferior quality w.r.t. the original. Don't be surprised the sensor is broken. I was wondering, `Swapping the BLTouch out for the one that belongs to my other printer`, did the one on the SKR work on the other printer? If so, the sensor is okay!
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-02-11T21:50:39.200Z
Yes I put the one connected to my SKR board on my other printer and it worked perfectly. I also tried putting the probe from my other printer on the SKR board and it wouldn't work.
Artichoke
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-06-17T06:49:50.333Z
Don't assume the pinout. I know there are at least some clones with some lines swapped.
SF.
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-08-09T09:06:19.467Z
Why are you're using the Zmin endstop when you have a "dedicated BLTouch" pin? Did the pin designed for this not work?
Kezat
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-08-09T10:13:19.323Z
You are right, I could use that pin but I would need to crimp a Molex connector to make it fit and nothing gets lost when using the Zmin pin so I may as well save my self the effort of crimping a new connector. Maybe I will though if I pass my local Jaycar to pick up a Molex connector.
Artichoke
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-08-09T21:11:31.360Z
Can you add information to your question on exactly how you wired all 5 wires of your BLTouch to your board.
Kezat
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-08-11T15:25:48.637Z
Is this a genuine BLTouch from Antclabs or a clone version? If it's a clone, it is possible the pinouts are not the same.
craftxbox
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-08-12T10:37:35.587Z
It's a clone, but I'm pretty sure the pinout is right. I will double check. What is weird though is that it was working before on the BTT board. I did not do anything with to the wiring or firmware when it stopped working. I have checked all cables as best as I can with as multimetre and the BLTouch does not work with the lid open either.
Artichoke
<creality-ender-3><bed-leveling><bltouch><z-probe><skr-mini-e3>
BLTouch clone will not deploy, stow, or deploy when homing or auto leveling
Artichoke
# BLTouch clone will not deploy, stow, or deploy when homing or auto leveling

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-08-09)

I have 2 printers, an Artillery Sidewinder X1 and an Ender 3 that both have BLTouch sensors installed. This post is about the one (BLTouch clone, the probe is a Smart v3.1 sensor) installed on my Ender.

**My problem:**

I recently upgraded from Creality's original motherboard to the BigTreeTech SKR mini E3 and touchscreen. Once I had plugged everything in, I flashed the latest firmware with edits made only to suit my BLTouch. I am using the `Zmin` endstop pin rather than the dedicated BLTouch pin and I double-checked both my wiring and my firmware to make sure my changes were correct. I powered on the printer and everything worked. I even printed a test calibration cube. I was happy with myself for getting everything to work first go and screwed the lid back over the motherboard.

Upon restarting the printer, I tried homing it and the probe would not deploy, and if I did not switch the power off, the extruder assembly would drill into the bed. Using the 'Deploy', 'Stow', and 'Test' buttons do nothing. Running `G29` or tapping the ABL button on the touchscreen will return similar results to pressing home or running `G28`, where the probe will not deploy (or stow if I manually pull it down - note that it does not go into error mode when I do that) and crash into the bed.

**Things I have tried already:**

* Running `M420 S1` - returns `failed to enable bed leveling, invalid mesh`
* Running `M500` and `M502` after it to clear EEPROM
* Double checking that the servo pin is connected to the right socket on the motherboard
* Swapping the BLTouch out for the one that belongs to my other printer
* Using a multimeter to check the connection between the BLTouch and the servo pin
* Enabling `BLTOUCH_DELAY 500` and `BLTOUCH_FORCE_SW_MODE`
* Flipping the servo connector
* Using the whole BLTouch connector instead of plugging the Z wires of the BLTouch into the Z endstop port and changing the firmware accordingly.

**Wiring Diagram**

I used this diagram to wire the sensor:

![Wiring diagram for BigTreeTech SKR mini E3 board](https://i.sstatic.net/yvYmx.jpg "Wiring diagram for BigTreeTech SKR mini E3 board")

---

*So I am just about at my wit's end with these BLTouch (clone) sensors - with 3 separate posts on this forum regarding them, my own posts even showing in the 'Similar questions' box at the time of writing this post, but amongst all the frustration I have experienced, I have learned a great deal along the way, from the core workings of the firmware to the design of the motherboard.*

*4 months later and I still never solved the problem. It seems likely that is a wiring fault or something wrong with the firmware but I have checked the wiring countless times with a multimeter, testing the BLTouch with another printer and using pre-compiled firmware sent to me by BTT support. I am writing to BTT to see if I can get a replacement board but if you have any other ideas I would love to try them.*

**Tags:** creality-ender-3, bed-leveling, bltouch, z-probe, skr-mini-e3
> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Why are you're using the Zmin endstop when you have a "dedicated BLTouch" pin? Did the pin designed for this not work?  
> **username_0**: You are right, I could use that pin but I would need to crimp a Molex connector to make it fit and nothing gets lost when using the Zmin pin so I may as well save my self the effort of crimping a new connector. Maybe I will though if I pass my local Jaycar to pick up a Molex connector.  
> **username_3**: Can you add information to your question on exactly how you wired all 5 wires of your BLTouch to your board.  
> **username_4**: Is this a genuine BLTouch from Antclabs or a clone version? If it's a clone, it is possible the pinouts are not the same.  
> **username_0**: It's a clone, but I'm pretty sure the pinout is right. I will double check. What is weird though is that it was working before on the BTT board. I did not do anything with to the wiring or firmware when it stopped working. I have checked all cables as best as I can with as multimetre and the BLTouch does not work with the lid open either.  
> **username_1**: I have 3 or 4 dead clones lying around here, the only genuine one is the only one that works and keeps working. The clones are of inferior quality w.r.t. the original. Don't be surprised the sensor is broken. I was wondering, `Swapping the BLTouch out for the one that belongs to my other printer`, did the one on the SKR work on the other printer? If so, the sensor is okay!  
> **username_0**: Yes I put the one connected to my SKR board on my other printer and it worked perfectly. I also tried putting the probe from my other printer on the SKR board and it wouldn't work.  
> **username_2**: Don't assume the pinout. I know there are at least some clones with some lines swapped.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_5 on 2022-01-10. Score: 1

You have written in the comments that

> I did not do anything with to the wiring or firmware when it stopped working

And that you tried

> Swapping the BLTouch out for the one that belongs to my other printer

And

> testing the BLTouch with another printer

It seems from these statements that the answer to your question is: something got damaged in the SKR board. Replacement is probably the only way.

There are however some home made optical/servo proves you can use instead of the BLTouch. They deploy a pin via a servo and use optical endstop for detection. They are reliable and require minimum wiring so that you can reuse the damaged SKR.

You can also try the [quickdraw probe](https://github.com/Annex-Engineering/Quickdraw_Probe) by Annex Engineering.


---

### Answer by username_2 on 2024-06-17. Score: 1

M280 P0 S10   ; deploy
M280 P0 S60   ; alarm release
M280 P0 S90   ; stow
M280 P0 S120  ; test (continuous)
M280 P0 S160  ; alarm release and stow (test 1 cycle)

Get a serial terminal access (see What is a printer console/terminal?) to enter G-code commands, issue M280 P0 S120 which should start trying to deploy and stow the probe continuously (but in your case likely it won't) - the probe's LED should be blinking slowly. Then turn the small insert screw at the top of the BLTouch to regulate how deep the pin can go, until it deploys and stows correctly.
Also, triple-check the connection between the ribbon cable and the BLTouch, it tends to look seated well, but goes loose if you look at it bad. Make sure to zip-tie the ribbon somewhere to the print head firmly to isolate the plug from movement of the cable, because the cable bending, even very mildly, will loosen the plug.


---

