Ender 3 (V2/Pro) Screen Glitch: 4 Quick Fixes

If your Ender 3 V2 or Pro screen is glitching, you likely want a fix and fast. Here, the Ender 3 screen can flash, jumble text, switch pages, or show a “blue screen of death”.

When that happens, there are a few problems that could be the culprit. 

For example, you might have just upgraded the firmware or are having a firmware issue. You might also have issues with the screen wiring, the screen, or the mainboard itself. In either case, a bit of quick troubleshooting should help you figure out the issue. 

4 Reasons for Screen Glitch on Ender 3 (V2/Pro)

If your Creality touch screen is not working, it could be from a number of issues.

The most common include firmware issues, wiring problems, and malfunctioning or damaged hardware. 

1. Firmware Issue

Ender 3 V2 users very often report screen glitches after firmware updates.

While this could happen for a variety of reasons, many users think the issue has to do with memory updates. For example, the issue is extremely common with the 4.2.2 board. 

However, there are other reasons firmware could cause this issue. For example, if you didn’t properly follow instructions when upgrading your firmware, or if you have a firmware upgrade and a screen upgrade but only updated one of them.

Alternatively, your installation may simply be buggy. 

2. Wiring Problem

If you’ve recently set up your Ender 3, you may have mis-wired the screen.

For example, the LCD ribbon goes from the EXP1 on the board to one of the 3 EXP ports on the LCD. You need EXP3 or EXP1 depending on the build. Unfortunately, you’ll have to check your setup manual to see which is correct. 

In addition, you could be facing wiring damage, loose cables, etc. Even slight damage or corrosion to connectors could cause issues. 

Finally, some Creality 3 models have a wiring box that has to be unscrewed and pushed down in order to work. 

3. Malfunctioning Mainboard

Motherboards can go bad, corrupt, and become damaged. In addition, upgrading your mainboard, upgrading chips, etc., can all result in malfunctions.

Here, the issue is more likely to be a port. However, your mainboard might also be incompatible with other hardware you’re using. 

This problem is unlikely. However, the most likely issue here is that your Ender 3 Pro or V2 shipped with a faulty board. 

4. Damaged Screen

If your screen is physically damaged, it will glitch. However, in this case, you’re more likely to get bars and dead pixels than misplaced text or a blue screen.

On the other hand, if the damage is in the ports or the internal wiring, that may not be the case. 

Here, you can inspect the housing for damage. You can also look at the ports for corrosion and damage. Ultimately, the only real way to test it is to try a different screen. 

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How to Fix a Glitched Screen on Ender 3

Fixing an Ender 3 screen glitch can be simple. On the other hand, it might require replacing hardware. 

Reflash Firmware

The first step of troubleshooting your Ender 3 screen should almost always be to reflash the firmware. That’s especially true if you’ve recently upgraded the firmware and started to see issues.

In addition, if you have a blue screen of death on your Ender 3, it might mean the firmware has crashed. This screen issue is almost always a firmware problem. In addition, the only solution is to reflash the firmware.  

This guide uses a bootloader, as you’ll need it if you haven’t upgraded the mainboard on the Ender 3 Pro.

If you have a V4.2.2 or V4.2.7 mainboard, you can skip the bootloader. Make sure you have a laptop handy or move your printer near your computer before you get started. 

1. Download the latest Ender 3 firmware for your model. If you want a modded version, look that up. Make sure you double-check forums to ensure it’s working correctly. You can also choose an alternative like Marlin 2.0, Klipper, TH3D. etc.
2. Make sure the Arduino IDE is installed on your computer. Make sure you’ve added the UGglib library (File > Examples/Example Sketches > Arduino ISP > Manage Libraries). Then, connect your Arduino microcontroller (most Ender users prefer Uno or Nano), and download and install Sanguino or an alternative from the boards manager if you haven’t already.
3. Extract the download Zip file of your firmware update.
4. Connect your microcontroller to your laptop via USB.
5. From the IDE, select Tools. Then set a Port. It will either be Arduino (board) or COM.
6. Click Upload.
7. Make sure the Ender 3 is off. Then, use a hex key to remove the 3 screws from the control box under the bed. 
8. Connect the pins on the Ender 3 and the microcontroller using Dupont jumper wires. This should be “MISO/MISO, 5V/5V/, SCK/SCK, MOSI/MOSI, RESET/~10, GND/GND”. You need 5 female-to-female and 1 female-to-male jumper wires. 
9. Select your board from the Tools menu. If you’ve installed Sanguino, select that. Set the Programmer to Arduino as ISP. Click “Burn bootloader”. 

If you have an Ender 3 V2, it comes with a bootloader pre-installed. In this case, you can simply download the .bin file and load it onto a wiped microSD.

From there, you can insert it into the SD card slot on the machine and boot the upgrade from there. 

Replace Damaged Screen

If your screen is damaged, you’ll normally have to replace it.

There are dozens of third-party screens for Creality printers. In addition, you can always buy a replacement OEM screen. 

1. If you have a multimeter, check the voltage on the screen connection pins on the mainboard. It should be 5 volts. If not, the issue is likely the mainboard and not the screen.
2. Double-check that your new screen is compatible with your mainboard before you buy it.

Replace Mainboard 

There are dozens of mainboard upgrades and options for the Ender 3. Choosing one is often a matter of deciding what you want. Here, it’s almost always a good idea to choose a newer option with a bootloader. 

That will save you a lot of trouble when you go to upgrade the firmware. 

1. Make sure your Ender 3 is turned off, the filament is unloaded, and power is fully disconnected.
2. Open the electronics case using the top and three bottom screws.
3. Mark or label your cables as you take them out. Fan and sensor cables are not labeled. Labeling them as you pull them out and using a photo can help you.
4. Disconnect all of the cables. Some of them are screwed in.
5. Remove the four screws holding the mainboard in place.
6. Replace the power cables in the terminals.
7. Mount the mainboard.
8. Replace the cables.
9. Download the newest firmware for your Ender 3 and install it. If you’ve chosen a bootloader-enabled board, use a microSD card, otherwise, follow the instructions above for creating a bootloader. 

In some cases, you’ll have firmware pre-loaded onto a mainboard.

However, it’s always a good idea to ensure you have the latest firmware before you reboot your machine. 

Fix the Wiring 

If your screen is blank, there are black pixels, the knob doesn’t work, etc., it may be a case of wiring.

Here, it’s a good idea to click the knob and check for feedback. You can also take out and re-do the wiring connecting the screen to the printer.

If there is any sign of corrosion or damaged wires, replace them. 

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How to Avoid Ender 3 Screen Problems

Ender 3 screen glitch issues very often relate to firmware updates.

However, you can use the following maintenance tips to avoid future issues. 

Keep the Firmware Updated

Update your Ender 3 firmware regularly. In addition, you should ensure the layout works for your screen, board, and memory capacity.

If you start having issues, you can always reflash the firmware to an authentic Marlin version to see if it helps. 

Update the Screen Firmware 

Sometimes Ender 3 printers start having screen issues when the screen firmware is older than the board firmware. Check to ensure there are no updates to your screen firmware when updating the printer itself. 

That also holds true if you have separate levelers or additional screens. 

Keep Your Printer Clean Dry 

It’s important to store your Ender 3 printer in a dry and relatively temperature-controlled space.

High humidity or a damp room can cause corrosion. That will result in degradation of the wires and pins. 

That also holds true for dust and dirt buildup, which can cause your printer to overheat. Keeping the printer clean will prolong the lifespan of all of its parts. 

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Wrapping Up

The Ender 3 Pro and Ender 3 V2 often have similar screen glitches. In most cases, the issue will be a firmware problem. Here, you can update to an official version. In addition, you can try a specifically modified version to avoid the issue. 

However, your screen might also glitch because of hardware issues. Therefore, if your firmware update doesn’t fix the issue, you can troubleshoot the screen and the mainboard as well. 

Good luck fixing your printer.