The printer’s touchscreen displays error messages if the printer encounters any abnormalities and displays more details about the error.

Configure Dashboard settings to receive SMS or email notifications for the errors listed in this article and for other print events.

Formlabs printers maintain diagnostic logs to provide detailed information about the printer. Include these diagnostic logs with other relevant observations and details when contacting Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller to speed up resolution.

For printers connected to the internet over an active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection:

1. Tap the printer icon on the printer's home screen. The My Printer screen appears.
2. Tap Settings. The Settings screen appears.
3. Tap Printer Info. The Printer Info screen appears.
4. Scroll down and tap Upload Diagnostic Info. A confirmation message to upload diagnostic information appears.
5. Tap Continue to start the upload. A confirmation message appears when the upload is complete.
6. If the printer displays an error message indicating that it cannot upload the logs, there may not be enough storage space on the printer for the upload. Delete print jobs from the queue to clear enough storage space to upload the logs.
7. Restart the printer and try again.

For printers not connected to the Internet:

1. Open PreForm.
2. Click Edit Job Setup. The Job Setup window opens.
3. Select the printer’s serial name.
4. Click Download Logs. A confirmation window appears.
5. Click Browse to download the diagnostic logs to a preferred location on your computer.
6. Click OK. The diagnostic logs save and appear in the encrypted FORMLOGS format.
7. Attach the file when contacting Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller.
8. If PreForm displays the message ERROR_BAD_STATE, there may not be enough storage space on the printer for the upload. Delete print jobs from the queue to clear enough storage space to upload the logs.
9. Restart the printer and try again.

Learn more about options for network and non-network connections.

The printer displays a Cartridge Dispense Error if it tries to dispense resin but nothing comes out of the cartridge. Usually, this means the cartridge is empty. Each cartridge contains and can reliably dispense one liter of resin. After the full liter dispenses, dispose of the cartridge and continue printing with a new cartridge.

If a cartridge is not empty but the printer is unable to dispense resin, an issue with the cartridge may be preventing resin from dispensing.

1. Check that the cartridge vent cap is open.
2. Check the inside of the cap to ensure the vent is not blocked.
3. Consider loosening the cap.
4. Check the bite valve on the underside of the cartridge to make sure it opens when squeezed.

The printer checks the estimated amount of resin in the cartridge before starting each print. If the estimated resin supply isn’t enough to complete the part, the printer displays Cartridge Low.

Tap Ignore on the touchscreen to continue. However, if the printer runs out of resin in the middle of a print, it pauses until a new cartridge is inserted. Long print pauses can cause a horizontal line across printed parts. Consider swapping the low cartridge for a full cartridge before starting the print, or monitor the print closely and insert a new cartridge as soon as the current cartridge runs out of resin.

If the resin tank is overfilled, the printer will show this error. Form 2 resin tanks are marked with minimum and maximum fill lines. The level of resin in the tank should always be between these two lines.

Use a syringe or small disposable cup to remove small amounts of resin, and pour it into a separate container. If the printer incorrectly warns of a resin tank overfill, check the LevelSense board for damage.

If the printer does not detect an inserted tank or cartridge, check the ID chip on the resin tank or cartridge to ensure the chip is present and clean. A dirty or missing chip can prevent the printer from detecting the tank or cartridge.

Fully remove and reinsert the resin tank or cartridge. The top of an inserted cartridge should be flush with the orange cover, and the front edge of an inserted resin tank should rest against the front edge of the tank carrier.

The printer checks the resin type in the tank and cartridge to ensure they match the current print job. If they do not match the resin type identified in the print job, the printer displays Resin Tank and Cartridge Warning and prompts you to insert a tank and cartridge that match the print job settings.

If the resin cartridge is inserted first, the printer displays Resin Tank Warning when the type of resin in the tank does not match the cartridge. Remove the resin tank and replace it with one that matches the resin cartridge.

To use a new type of resin with a resin tank, empty and clean the tank, then tap Ignore to reprogram the tank's resin type.

If the resin tank is inserted first, the printer displays Cartridge Warning when the type of resin in the cartridge does not match the tank. Remove the cartridge and replace it with the type of resin that matches the tank.

Sensors track the printer's motor movements. If a motor does not return to its original position in the right amount of time, the printer displays Motors Jammed.

Anything in the path of wiper or tank motion may prevent the motor from moving properly. Open the cover to inspect the build platform, resin tank, and wiper. Remove obstructions, then remove and reinsert the build platform, wiper, and resin tank.

The printer stops heating if it cannot reach the target temperature of 30 °C (86 °F) after 60 minutes. In a cold operating environment, the printer may require more than one heating cycle to reach the desired temperature. Restart the print to begin heating again. For more information, refer to the support article Maintaining resin temperature.

Each cartridge contains and can reliably dispense one liter of resin. After the full liter dispenses, dispose of the cartridge and continue printing with a new cartridge. Restart the print once the depleted cartridge has been replaced.

To manually print with non-Formlabs resins, explore the open mode on the Form 2.

The LevelSense board is located directly behind the resin tank. The printer may display Resin Sensor Error if the resin tank is too close, too far, or if the sensor or tank are contaminated.

If the printer displays a Resin Sensor Error, follow each step to see if that step resolves the error:

1. Ensure that the printer is level.
2. Grasp the front corners of the tank and nudge the tank in a counter-clockwise direction.
3. Inspect the resin tank:
   • Remove the resin tank.
   • Reinsert and push the tank all the way back. The touchscreen displays a confirmation message when the resin tank is properly seated.
4. Inspect the LevelSense board:
   • Remove the resin tank.
   • Inspect the LevelSense board. Contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller if you see damage.
5. If the printer still shows the error, try a different resin tank. If the error does not occur with a different tank, the problem may lie with the resin tank.
6. If the error happens with all resin tanks, contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller.

Formlabs SLA printers operate best when perfectly level. The touchscreen prompts you to level the printer when necessary. Tap Settings > Printer Leveling on the touchscreen to view the current level status.

Follow the touchscreen prompts and use the leveling tool to level the printer.

If power to the printer is interrupted during a print job, the printer will not resume the print job when it restarts. The touchscreen displays Reset While Printing. If the reset was unexpected, contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller.

The Failed to start print error message appears if the printer is unable to determine why the print failed to start properly. In some cases, it can indicate damage to the motherboard that prevents proper connection to the laser controller or motors. To resolve this issue:

1. Power cycle the printer.
2. Update PreForm and your printer’s firmware.
3. Perform a factory reset on your printer.
4. Delete the FORM file from your computer and delete the print job from the printer.
5. Remake the print job, reupload it to the printer, and retry the print.
6. Check your printer’s connection to the computer. Reupload the print job via another connection method, if possible.
7. Try another resin tank, particularly if the previous resin tank has been heavily used.

If you see this error message repeatedly, contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller.

The printer displays Print error code: 41 on the print job screen when it detects an unusual power draw from the galvanometers. This is a safety measure which prevents damage to the printer if the galvanometers behave unexpectedly. This behavior may be caused by a loose connection with the galvanometer cables. If you encounter this error, contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller.

The printer displays specific error messages depending on the Wi-Fi access point's response to the connection attempt. Refer to the support article Connecting to your printer to set up a connection via Wi-Fi, USB, or Ethernet. Always check with a network administrator to ensure that the wireless network is configured to allow the printer to connect. For a Windows operating system, follow Apple's instructions to ensure that Bonjour is properly installed. This step is required to connect. PreForm must be connected to the same network as the printer for wireless uploading.

Invalid network key

The password was not entered correctly. Check the network password. Check with a network administrator to ensure that the wireless network is configured to allow the printer to connect.

Connection failed

The printer failed to configure the wireless connection and could not connect to the network. Check with a network administrator to ensure that the wireless network is configured to allow the printer to connect.

Error 8 indicates that an unexpected error occurred while the printer was reading a FORM file. To resolve this issue, delete old print jobs from the printer and attempt another print. Update PreForm and the firmware to the latest version. If the issue persists, perform a factory reset. Performing a factory reset may resolve a corrupted file system or file system bugs.

Error 23 indicates that the printer encountered an error while trying to move its motors. To resolve this issue, delete old jobs from the printer and attempt another print. Update PreForm and the firmware to the latest version. If the issue persists, perform a factory reset. Performing a factory reset may resolve a corrupted file system or file system bugs.

On some occasions, a factory reset may correct unusual printer behavior. Unusual behavior may include Unknown Error messages, incomplete firmware updates, an unresponsive touchscreen, or trouble connecting to PreForm. A factory reset erases custom settings, including Fine Tuning, including prints saved in the queue and network connections.

To perform a factory reset:

1. Unplug the printer.
2. Reconnect the printer power cable.
3. When the Formlabs logo appears, press and hold the button until Resetting to factory defaults appears on the touchscreen.
4. Release the button.
5. The touchscreen displays Factory reset complete before initializing the printer.

To confirm a successful factory reset, tap queue on the touchscreen. After a successful reset, the print queue is empty. If the reset does not resolve the behavior, contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller.