<p>Send <code>M115</code> to the printer. This command is </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Request the Firmware Version and Capabilities of the current microcontroller.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Response example:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>ok PROTOCOL_VERSION:0.1 FIRMWARE_NAME:FiveD FIRMWARE_URL:http%3A//reprap.org MACHINE_TYPE:Mendel EXTRUDER_COUNT:1</p>
</blockquote>

<p>For more info see here, <a href="https://reprap.org/wiki/G-code#M115:_Get_Firmware_Version_and_Capabilities" rel="noreferrer">RepRapWiki- G-code - M115: Get Firmware Version and Capabilities</a>.</p>

<hr>

<p><em>Of course, this isn't guaranteed to tell the truth, just whatever your generic clone firmware had in its source code.</em></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-04T15:56:02.430Z
@Gord It is very unlikely your printer needs a printer-specific driver. Take a look at the mainboard to see if you can identify the USB-to-Serial converter, and install the driver for that. It's usually either an FTDI (clone), CH340 or AtMega32u4-based one.
Tom van der Zanden
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-31T21:43:40.827Z
After much research I am still with no answer.  The printer is stand alone. I cannot connect it via marlin or repetier as I believe that requires connecting by USB.  USB connect fails with Device Descriptor Request Failed.  How do I identify the printer in order to get a drive for it? or am I barking up the wrong tree.
Gord
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-29T21:01:18.357Z
Another option to send gcode to your printer is the "Terminal" tab in OctoPrint. In general OctoPrint is very convenient, worth the $20 for a RaspberryPI.
Chaulky
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-07-18T01:04:07.860Z
Sending G-code commands to a printer is described in this question: [What is a printer console/terminal?](/q/10573).
0scar
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-30T21:31:59.493Z
Please excuse my beginner state.  I have the printer assembled and turned on.  It has an SD card. I was hoping to learn how to 'send' it anything. How does one send an `M115` to the printer. Create a .bat file for the SD card?
Gord
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-30T22:27:40.720Z
Your board probably talks serial. Use Marlin or Repetier host to send the G-codes to your printer
Luis Diaz
CC BY-SA 4.0
2017-08-30T12:07:32.253Z
2018-11-20T15:08:17.150Z
2018-11-20T15:08:17.150Z
Luis Diaz
<h1>Startup</h1>
<p>Usually, when a printer starts up, the screen shows a boot-screen. This contains usually the firmware version, but not who or what the settings are.</p>
<h1>LCD: About Printer</h1>
<p>Some printers have an LCD main menu item that is &quot;About Printer&quot; or similar. It would one of the last items if enabled.</p>
<p>In Marlin it is disabled by default, and you'd need to uncomment <code>#define LCD_INFO_MENU</code> in <code>Configuration_adv.h</code>.</p>
<h1>Terminal</h1>
<p>Connect a <a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/10573/what-is-a-printer-console-terminal">terminal</a> and send <a href="https://reprap.org/wiki/G-code#M115:_Get_Firmware_Version_and_Capabilities" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><code>M115</code></a>. In most cases, this will tell you the current Firmware and version, as it is annotated in the firmware. This doesn't mean that those lines always were updated by who changed the files, but it is a good indication what was the basis for the installed firmware.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-28T12:09:45.340Z
2021-01-29T09:59:39.970Z
2021-01-29T09:59:39.970Z
Trish
<p>I have a generic printer with no support documentation. </p>

<p>How do I determine what firmware is in use so that I can research how to make the print run?</p>

<firmware><knowledgebase>
How may I identify the firmware in use on my 3D printer?
Gord
# How may I identify the firmware in use on my 3D printer?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-08-30)

I have a generic printer with no support documentation.

How do I determine what firmware is in use so that I can research how to make the print run?

**Tags:** firmware, knowledgebase

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-08-30. Score: 19

Send `M115` to the printer. This command is

> Request the Firmware Version and Capabilities of the current microcontroller.

Response example:

> ok PROTOCOL\_VERSION:0.1 FIRMWARE\_NAME:FiveD FIRMWARE\_URL:http%3A//reprap.org MACHINE\_TYPE:Mendel EXTRUDER\_COUNT:1

For more info see here, [RepRapWiki- G-code - M115: Get Firmware Version and Capabilities](https://reprap.org/wiki/G-code#M115:_Get_Firmware_Version_and_Capabilities).

---

*Of course, this isn't guaranteed to tell the truth, just whatever your generic clone firmware had in its source code.*

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Please excuse my beginner state.  I have the printer assembled and turned on.  It has an SD card. I was hoping to learn how to 'send' it anything. How does one send an `M115` to the printer. Create a .bat file for the SD card?  
> **username_1**: Your board probably talks serial. Use Marlin or Repetier host to send the G-codes to your printer  
> **username_0**: After much research I am still with no answer.  The printer is stand alone. I cannot connect it via marlin or repetier as I believe that requires connecting by USB.  USB connect fails with Device Descriptor Request Failed.  How do I identify the printer in order to get a drive for it? or am I barking up the wrong tree.  
> **username_2**: @Gord It is very unlikely your printer needs a printer-specific driver. Take a look at the mainboard to see if you can identify the USB-to-Serial converter, and install the driver for that. It's usually either an FTDI (clone), CH340 or AtMega32u4-based one.  
> **username_3**: Another option to send gcode to your printer is the "Terminal" tab in OctoPrint. In general OctoPrint is very convenient, worth the $20 for a RaspberryPI.  
> **username_4**: Sending G-code commands to a printer is described in this question: [What is a printer console/terminal?](/q/10573).  

---

### Answer by username_5 on 2021-01-28. Score: 4

# Startup

Usually, when a printer starts up, the screen shows a boot-screen. This contains usually the firmware version, but not who or what the settings are.

# LCD: About Printer

Some printers have an LCD main menu item that is "About Printer" or similar. It would one of the last items if enabled.

In Marlin it is disabled by default, and you'd need to uncomment `#define LCD_INFO_MENU` in `Configuration_adv.h`.

# Terminal

Connect a [terminal](https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/10573/what-is-a-printer-console-terminal) and send [`M115`](https://reprap.org/wiki/G-code#M115:_Get_Firmware_Version_and_Capabilities). In most cases, this will tell you the current Firmware and version, as it is annotated in the firmware. This doesn't mean that those lines always were updated by who changed the files, but it is a good indication what was the basis for the installed firmware.


---

