SoLoPrint Bridge - Setup Guide
Complete instructions for installing and configuring the SoLoPrint Bridge
What is the SoLoPrint Bridge?
The SoLoPrint Bridge is a small desktop app that connects your 3D printers to SoLoPrint so you can monitor and control them from anywhere in the world.
Why Do I Need It?
Your 3D printers are on your home network (like 192.168.x.x), but SoLoPrint's website runs in the cloud. Without the bridge, the website can't reach your printers to:
- 📷 Show camera feeds
- 🖨️ Start/stop prints
- 📊 Monitor temperatures and progress
The bridge solves this by creating a secure connection between your printers and the cloud.
How It Works
The bridge runs on any computer on your home network (Windows/Mac/Linux), auto-discovers your printers, and creates a secure tunnel to SoLoPrint's cloud. You can now access your printers from anywhere - work, vacation, your phone, etc.
Installation
Step 1: Download
Visit soloprint.app/bridge and download for your operating system:
- Windows: SoLoPrint-Bridge-Setup.msi (15 MB)
- macOS: SoLoPrint-Bridge.dmg (15 MB)
- Linux: soloprint-bridge.AppImage (15 MB)
Step 2: Install
Windows
- Run
SoLoPrint-Bridge-Setup.msi - Follow the installer wizard
- Bridge will auto-start
- If Windows SmartScreen appears, click "More info" → "Run anyway"
macOS
- Open
SoLoPrint-Bridge.dmg - Drag to Applications folder
- Launch from Applications
- Allow security permissions if prompted (System Settings → Privacy & Security)
Linux
chmod +x soloprint-bridge.AppImage ./soloprint-bridge.AppImageStep 3: Setup Wizard
When you first launch the bridge, you'll see a setup wizard:
1. Welcome Screen
Click "Continue"
2. Sign In
- Enter your SoLoPrint email and password
- Click "Sign In"
3. Printer Discovery (automatic)
The bridge will find printers on your network. You'll see a list like:
✓ OctoPrint - Ender 3 (192.168.1.101)
4. Connect Printers
For each printer, enter credentials:
- Bambu: Enter access code (8 digits from printer screen: Settings → Network → Access Code)
- OctoPrint: Enter API key (from OctoPrint: Settings → API → Copy)
Click "Link" for each printer
5. Done!
✓ Bridge connected to SoLoPrint
✓ Printers linked
You can now access your printers from soloprint.app
Using the Bridge
System Tray Icon
After setup, the bridge runs in your system tray (notification area):
- Windows: Bottom right corner (near clock)
- macOS: Top right menu bar
- Linux: System tray area
Icon Status
- 🟢 Green dot: Connected and working
- 🟡 Yellow dot: Connecting...
- 🔴 Red dot: Disconnected (check internet)
System Tray Menu
Right-click (or click) the bridge icon to see:
Adding More Printers
After initial setup, you can add more printers:
- Right-click bridge icon → Manage Printers
- Click "Add Printer"
- Choose method:
- Auto-discover: Bridge scans network
- Manual entry: Enter IP address
- Enter credentials and click "Link"
Troubleshooting
Bridge says "Disconnected"
Possible causes:
- ❌ No internet connection
- ❌ Firewall blocking WebSocket connections
- ❌ SoLoPrint API is down
Solutions:
- Check your internet connection
- Restart the bridge (right-click → Quit, then relaunch)
- Check firewall settings (allow outbound HTTPS/WSS to soloprint.app)
Printer not showing up
Possible causes:
- ❌ Printer is off or not connected to network
- ❌ Printer is on different subnet
- ❌ Firewall blocking mDNS/MQTT
Solutions:
- Make sure printer is powered on and connected to WiFi
- Try "Add Printer Manually" with printer's IP address
- Check printer is on same network as computer running bridge
Camera feed not working
Possible causes:
- ❌ Printer camera is disabled
- ❌ Another app is using the camera
Solutions:
- Bambu printers: Go to Settings → Camera → Video = ON
- Close Bambu Studio and Bambu Handy app
- Restart printer
- Check bridge logs: Right-click → View Logs
Advanced Settings
Auto-Start
Enable: Settings → ☑ Start bridge when computer starts
Recommended: Leave this ON so your printers are always accessible
Logs and Diagnostics
- View logs: Right-click bridge → View Logs
- Export diagnostics: Right-click bridge → Help → Export Diagnostics
Send the diagnostics file to support@solovisionllc.com if you need help.
Security & Privacy
Is my data safe?
Yes. The bridge uses:
- 🔒 End-to-end encryption (TLS 1.3)
- 🔑 Authenticated WebSocket tunnel (JWT tokens)
- 🛡️ No data storage - bridge only forwards requests
- 👀 Open source - you can audit the code
What data does the bridge send?
The bridge only sends data when you request it from the website:
- ✅ Camera snapshots (when you open printer page)
- ✅ Printer status (temperature, progress, etc.)
- ✅ Print commands (when you click start/stop)
The bridge does NOT:
- ❌ Send data without your action
- ❌ Track your activity
- ❌ Share your data with third parties
- ❌ Run in the background when you're not using SoLoPrint
FAQ
Do I need to keep my computer on?
Yes, the bridge must be running for remote access to work.
Options:
- Run bridge on an always-on computer (old laptop, Raspberry Pi)
- Use a desktop that stays on 24/7
- Set up Wake-on-LAN for your desktop
Can I run the bridge on multiple computers?
Yes! You can run the bridge on multiple computers, and each will discover and connect its local printers.
Use cases:
- Bridge at home for home printers
- Bridge at office for office printers
- All accessible from one SoLoPrint account
Will this slow down my internet?
No. The bridge only uses bandwidth when you're actively using SoLoPrint:
- Idle: <1 KB/s (heartbeat)
- Viewing camera: ~50-100 KB/s (0.5-1 FPS)
- Print job upload: Depends on file size (one-time)
Getting Help
Need assistance? We're here to help: