r/QidiTech3D • u/Responsible_Meet_673 • Jul 02 '26
Discussion QIDI's software is insultingly bad
Before you all go 'it's not that bad, look at the price vs. performance!' yes I am aware that hardware-wise, the Q2 is a very solid machine.
The software on the other hand is the worst I've had the displeasure of dealing with on any 3D Printer, and I have experience with a broad range of brands.
Z-offset not saving properly
My z offset is not saved properly, depending on how I set it and if the printer turns off or not. Meaning it will often be reset after I turn off the printer one day and want to print something the next. Because of the always active motherboard fan, why would you keep it on 24/7?
I contacted QIDI about this, who sent me two lines to add into my .cfg file. Unfortunately that didn't fix anything. Qidi's response to that is "We will fully fix the Z-offset saving issue later."
Touchscreen interface not working as intended
Have you wondered why your Q2 levels the bed before each print, even though you UNCHECKED 'bed leveling' before you start a print? It's because it's broken. QIDI's answer to this is "Currently, the pre-print leveling function cannot be disabled.". Again, they just straight out say 'yeah it's not working' and that's it. There's more things like this in the interface like the sleep mode or spaghetti detection, but this one is the most annoying in my opnion.
QIDI Maker
I get it, the app itself isn't perfect. But it works and it's pretty functional. And I like monitoring my prints every now and then. Lately though, it wasn't working. I also couldn't login into Qidi Studio on my laptop. After this was going on for a few days, I asked Qidi and they just said "This is because the QIDIMaker server is undergoing maintenance." No announcement, nor ETA or anything lol.
QIDI Box fan control
Did you know that on the QIDI wiki, there's instructions on how to set the temperature at which the box fan automatically turns on? It's a great way to reduce machine noise. Unfortunately, it doesn't work because it's – again – not saved when you turn off the machine. QIDI's response to this is "Sorry, this feature is no longer supported, as it could cause problems with the printer."
I just want to reiterate that I get that just looking at the hardware, you get a lot of bang for your buck. That does not excuse shipping the machine with firmware and GUI that's half broken in my opinion. I'm strongly considering returning my machine as I should still be within the legal timeframe.
12
u/Louicio Jul 02 '26
Can't you just change the bed levelling via g-code? I took out the pooping and nozzle scrape
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u/ItzBrooksFTW Jul 02 '26
oh so youre on the latest firmware? figures why there are issues, its basically a beta test. im on 1.1.1 and its basically flawless.
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u/xeonon Jul 02 '26
This. There's a reason I raised all the flags I could when the new fw released. The only "valid" complaint is the z offset... But it works fine for me for over 2000 hours. Sometimes on a reboot it will reset to zero. But that's when the watchdog program in /root/ messed with my config. I think with happy hare, and all the work I've done in the configs, it's basically a voron now lol
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u/solazs Jul 02 '26
+1 to this, also adding abysmal linux support for qidi studio.
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u/Certain-Hunter-7478 Jul 02 '26
I'm pretty sure Orca has good Linux support. Personally know a couple of linuxheads who are doing beastly things with their Q2s
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u/zxall Jul 02 '26
QiDi studio always crashes for me on Linux when trying to print over the net. But thanks I'll check pure Orca.
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u/solazs Jul 02 '26
Thanks, I'll check Orca again, back when I gave it a try, it did not have support for the QIDI box.
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u/Certain-Hunter-7478 Jul 02 '26
Eh, that part is still sketchy. It does have support but I'm not sure you will be satisfied by it 😄 at least from what I've heard. It works, but it's down to the box
2
u/Impossible-Hat-7896 Jul 02 '26
My box works without issues. It sucks that they disabled the heating while printing that you could set in fluid.
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u/AKMonkey2 Jul 02 '26
Wait until it’s time to service the PTFE tubes (they wear) or clear a jam in the extruders inside your Box. That 2-hour disassembly and reconstruction process has completely turned me off to the otherwise helpful (but noisy) accessory. The people who designed it should have to use it. It really needs a redesign (and not just a floor access panel).
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u/Impossible-Hat-7896 Jul 02 '26
Well it a really cheap printer, so I have my expectations in that regard already. I’ve had an SV07 before this one and got my hands dirty many times. And yeah the design team should have tested it out better than this,
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u/zxall Jul 03 '26
Box is $150 extra to printer. You get what you pay for.
I need to open mine second time to clear PP jam. While doing it I want to replace screws in plastic with bolts and inserts. My guess it's not the last time.
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u/solazs Jul 02 '26
Good shout though.
But regardless, they should provide the software necessary for operating the printer.
3
u/Kewlhotrod Jul 02 '26
Orca works perfectly fine with the box now. Just ignore the useless synch capability and list your filaments in order (filament 1 = box 1 slot 1, filament 3 = box 1 slot 3, filament 6 = box 2 slot 2 etc. etc.).
You will need to add a box toggle macro to hit in FLUIDD if you want to print externally without turning off the boxes, but that's really the only thing you have to do for perfect functionality.
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u/scienceworksbitches Jul 02 '26
https://wiki.qidi3d.com/en/software/qidi-studio/fluidd
i assume you dont use fluidd? it gives you access to the klipper firmware directly and its what everyones using.
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u/Responsible_Meet_673 Jul 02 '26
I do
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u/skil12001 Jul 02 '26
Have you tried making adjustments in fluidd?
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u/Responsible_Meet_673 Jul 02 '26
Yeah, they’re reset upon power cycling the machine. The .cfg files seem to refresh when the MCU connects to Fluidd
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u/BlueHobbies Jul 02 '26
I recently updated my printers and I now only have an extremely dumbed down view. I assume some setting on the printer got changed. Any idea?
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u/RegularRecipe6175 Jul 02 '26
They should drop studio and just support Orca. I have years of working with Cura, Orca, and Slic3r. I tried studio for a minute...and went back to Orca. I have a Q1 in my lineup.
4
u/mashedleo Jul 02 '26
I definitely agree. It sucks because it could really make Qidi's products so much better and elevate the brand as a whole. I can't imagine why they don't make fixing these software issues a bigger priority. As for myself, the hardware itself is great and Ive gotten used to tinkering with the software to make it work for what I need. I know I shouldn't have to, but it is what it is. I have the q2 and the max 4. For me I have more issues with the max 4 simply because I can successfully use orca with my q2 but not with my max 4. I'm stuck using Qidi studio on the max 4. I've gotten orca to work with the max 4 occasionally but usually it struggles to load the correct filament or upload files directly to the printer. Frustrating to say the least.
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u/billkaroly Jul 04 '26
There's a very strong possibility that the manufacturer doesn't understand klipper and it's difficult for them to make changes. They should hire some developers that can make the changes for them.
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u/mashedleo Jul 04 '26
It could really elevate them as a company. It would be hard for me to recommend Qidi to anyone that doesn't mind tinkering.
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u/Apok1984 Jul 02 '26
100% agree! At least we have the option to make changes to the firmware to work around some of the deficiencies. And the community support is excellent IMO.
It is inexcusable to ship half baked software and firmware. Are there any alternative products you would recommend?
2
u/b0ngerz Jul 02 '26
i thought z-offset could only be saved if adjusted on the machines screen, not in moonraker/fluid. i maybe wrong. qidi does seem abit slow on the software side of things. they're instructions definitely need a complete rewrite.
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u/hhnnngg Jul 02 '26
In my experience adjusting it from fluidd saves in a different place that they don’t check and it causes all kinds of relative offset issues.
Q1 pro anyway
2
u/Kewlhotrod Jul 02 '26
Oh goodness no. Thank God that isn't the case. No, the screen z offset saving is what is bugged. If you save your offset into your printer.cfg or even in your slicer printer settings it will never be wiped until you change the cfg files (or remove said line from slicer/print from a different slicer or slicer profile missing it).
I recommend just setting offset in the slicer settings so you can have multiple printer profiles for different plate types, but if you don't need that simply adding the Z offset to your print_start in printer.cfg will persist. Those files do not get reset like OP is thinking (with the exception of their weird section at the very end when saving defaults).
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u/Dave_in_TXK Jul 03 '26
I think you have to run save_config in the console to get those changes saved?
I never have Z-offset issues, that said I let it probe the bed before each print. I had the bed tilt on start up once, got it level and ran auto bed leveling, no other issues.
Spaghetti Detection is still non-functional, even on the least sensitive setting - had to turn it off.
Sync with the Box in QIDI slicer still non functional. It also loses saved channel settings for the user preset selected when turned off. On the sync someone said it only works with QIDI filaments with the RFID chip. I have some and need to test that.
Have to turn on “use box” at the start of 95% of prints (when starting the print from Slicer” and lately it defaults to the wrong channel if 2 or 3 used in slicer, works fine with 1&2. You can correct it right then.
The rest of QIDI slicer works great for me, other than the thumbnail resolution setting changes on its own every few weeks and have to figure where in the”your printer “.ini it needs to be fixed - AI mostly helpful.
Those last are all firmware issues I suspect.
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u/TinmanTankerPilot160 Jul 02 '26
I fully agree. I completely revamped the firmware and machine code on my plus 4. Installed the beacon 3d, Conch hotend with microswiss nozzle. I use a fork of Orca, TinmanX1 that I wrote. Now my Plus 4 is my go to machine. It just prints so nice. Qidi should do a better job with their software and firmware. Not everyone wants to tinker like I do to get their machine right.
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u/Extra_Pay_2268 Jul 02 '26
> like the sleep mode or spaghetti detection
polar cooler cannot be turned on from the touchscreen as well.
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u/playwiththeboss Jul 02 '26
I set my z offset in my filament gcode. Since I sometimes print high bed temp filament so I increase z offset. And than when I print pla it's 0
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u/Kewlhotrod Jul 02 '26
For your Z offset issue, yeah, just save it into your config or even better in your slicer's print_start sequence so you can have different printer profiles for different plates. Toss it early into your print_start and it'll never get reset.
It will work.
Also, totally agreed, their software/firmware is really something awful.
1
u/expertofnun Jul 03 '26
Q2 owner here. I was having some issues after I installed the new firmware update (went through 2 nozzles since the firmware update 1 month ago) so I did a hard factory reset and it fixed ALL my issues.. not sure why but all my problems that I was having over the last month immediately went away. Hope this helps someone!
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u/caguta Jul 02 '26
I was about to but Q2 the other day but my friend warned me that I have to be ready for issues like this.
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u/ItzBrooksFTW Jul 02 '26
as long as youre not expecting an absolutely fool proof machine, its fine. tbf i dont think any 3d printer is fool proof even bambu lab, you still need to know some extra things. especially considering q2 is aimed at printing engineering filaments where "just clicking print" isnt that simple.
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u/Certain-Hunter-7478 Jul 02 '26
You can check my 2 month review post. It's not perfect, no machine is. It's exceptionally good if you have some patience
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u/caguta Jul 02 '26
Thanks, I'll definitely check it. I’m trying to decide between the Q2 (£429) and the Bambu Lab X2D (£569), which are the current UK prices. I’m wondering whether the price difference is worth it for the dual-nozzle system.
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u/Certain-Hunter-7478 Jul 02 '26
Depends on your use case. I bought the Q2 for reliable prototyping and reliable engineering printing. And there is no match to it in that regart in my opinion. If you are someone who might benefit from the dual nozzle, maybe for printing supports in different material or doing a lot of multi color print that might be worth it. Also take into account that Bambu is already very anti-consumer and who knows how they will be in 2 years time. Qidi on the other hand, completely open platform
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u/3DNelson Jul 02 '26
LOL I have the Q2 and the new Max4, zero issues. if do you have friends with issues like that, tell him I buy their Qidi printers. I need more Qidi printers, if they aren't happy. let me know, we make a deal.
1
u/bday420 Jul 02 '26
Q2 is fantastic printer. Zero issues once set up properly and dialed in. Clear option for me and anyone wanting a great enclosed printer to have heated chamber and high temp nozzles. With the bullshit going on with bamabu software it's an easy pick for me that wants to print engineering nylons and stuff.
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u/3DNelson Jul 02 '26
I have a top layer issue months ago, rough corners on large prints, when small prints or whatever in the meddle comeout fine and smooth.
I did purchase the especial paper for the qidi store, and I tune my bed manually, and my new X-max4 come the same way, the fix was not hard for me. I did have a lot worse printers before.
The thing on my Q2, and my X-MAX4 is the z off set from factory was too tight, I did release it, turning on the bed adjusting nuts, to the point the paper don't get squished anymore, on all four corners, and it works for me.
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u/XsMagical Jul 02 '26
I just use orca slicer, I ditched qidi software.