Glowforge Basic/Plus/Pro

If your printer head in your Performance Series Glowforge moves but doesn't mark your material, here are a few key things to check.

1. First, let’s check that the mirror in the printer head is installed correctly and not blocking the beam.
   
   
2. Follow steps 1-5 in this article under the heading Wiping the Mirror in the Printer Head.
   If you see damage to the mirror or the plastic handle (say, if it has been melted), check the printer head interior for other damage. If you find any, please take a photo and contact support, so we can help you order replacement parts.
   
   If the mirror and printer head look good, reinstall the mirror and move to the next steps.
   
   
3. Next, please run a test print. Follow these steps and then answer the questions below to help our team pinpoint the problem.
   
   
   • Place a sheet of Proofgrade material in your Glowforge and open the Gift of Good Measure design.
   • Before you start the print, please select the default Proofgrade settings for your material. After that, you'll see the word, “Cut," “Score," or “Engrave” under each step on the left-hand side of your workspace.
   • Push the button and start the print. During printing, write down the answers to these questions:
     
     • Is the printer marking the material as expected?
     • Is the printer head moving during the print?
     • Do you see a light in the laser tube during the print?
     • Do you hear any unusual noises from the left side of the printer?
   • As the print finishes, leave the lid closed and wait until the fans stop and the lid image updates on screen in the App.
     
     
4.  
5. If the laser appeared and the print was successful, it's likely that settings on the previous print were too low for the laser to appear. If so, please check your settings and try another print.
   
   
6. If the laser does not appear, please let us know. Before you do, check the laser tube:
   
   
   • Do you see any damage to the inner glass tubes, such as a crack or loose pieces of glass?
   • Do you see anything in the laser tube that looks foamy or bubbly? (When normal, the coolant is clear.)
   • Do you notice any liquid in or around the printer?

If you see any of these issues, include of a photo of them in your messages so we have all the information we need to help you!