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Printer is Cooling Down

The Glowforge Basic and Plus feature a closed-loop liquid cooling system that uses the room air to remove heat. It's designed for use when the temperature next to your Glowforge is between 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 Celsius) and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 Celsius).

The Glowforge Pro is boosted by a solid-state thermoelectric cooler that allows for heavier use at higher ambient temperatures. It's designed for use when the temperature next to your Glowforge is between 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 Celsius) and 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27 Celsius).

To check the temperature near your Glowforge, put a room thermometer next to the right-hand side of the Glowforge, where it draws in air from the room.

Troubleshooting Steps

If your Glowforge often pauses to cool, or is too warm to start prints, try these tips:

  • Double-check that your exhaust configuration is according to the manual, using the included exhaust hose, connected to the outside with a maximum of two 90-degree bends, or to your Air Filter with a maximum of three 90-degree bends. 

  • Try cleaning your exhaust fan following these instructions: Clean your Glowforge Exhaust.

  • Ensure that there is no fabric or other flexible material, like a tablecloth, underneath the bottom-right side of your Glowforge. If the air intakes there are obstructed, cooling will be less effective.

  • Try pointing a fan at the right side of your Glowforge. This can cool any warm air around the printer.

  • Power off your Glowforge when you're not using it. When your Glowforge sits idle, the fans are off, so heat can build up

  • Ensure that the sun isn't shining on the lid. This could heat the inside of your Glowforge.

  • If you are venting outdoors, ensure that extreme temperatures or humidity do not enter the Glowforge unit through the exhaust hose. Disconnect the hose from the outside air when the Glowforge is not in use.

  • If it's too warm, turn off your Glowforge and open the lid for a few minutes before trying again. The air in your Glowforge can heat up, just like a car in the sun on a hot day. Opening the lid will help that warm air to escape.

  • Just wait. Your print may take a little longer when it’s warm, but your Glowforge will protect itself and make sure it cools enough to prevent any damage or loss of power. It’s clever enough to pick up from exactly where it left off, even if it needs to pause to cool down during the print!

If you find you're still running into trouble after trying the above, please contact our team and we'll be happy to help!

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