Troubleshooting connectivity on a Formlabs SLA printer

Networking issues can be challenging to troubleshoot. Each network is different, with its own configuration, firewall settings, VPNs, password and security options, anti-virus software settings, and restrictions.

If you are experiencing connectivity issues when trying to send print jobs to your printer, follow these steps first:

1. Check that the printer and the computer running PreForm are on the same network.
2. Select Show All in the Choose Printer menu in PreForm, in case your filter selections prevent your printer from being visible.
   
3. Non-dental/medical printers, such as the Form 3, Form 3L, Form 4, and Form 4L, are only visible in the Standard Workspace. If you are using one of these printers, click View > Choose Workspace and select Standard Workspace.
4. Ensure that PreForm is up to date.
5. Check for firmware updates via your printer’s touchscreen and update if needed.
6. Power cycle the printer.
7. On the printer touchscreen, tap Settings > Connectivity to check the printer's IP address, and add it to PreForm manually.
8. Try connecting to PreForm with a different computer.
9. Check with your IT department, if applicable, to confirm the configuration of your network and any settings that may be interfering with connecting and detecting the printer:
   • Firewalls
   • VPNs
   • Filtering and whitelists
   • Password and security configurations

1. Make sure the Wi-Fi router is on and connected.
2. Power cycle the Wi-Fi router.
3. Confirm that other devices can connect to the Wi-Fi network.
4. If your printer has an external Wi-Fi antenna, make sure it is installed.
5. Ensure Bonjour is properly installed and up to date. It comes with MacOS but may need to be installed separately on Windows machines. For instructions on installing and updating Bonjour, see the Apple support article Download Bonjour Print Services for Windows.
6. Assign the printer a static IP address.
7. Try uploading a file to the printer over the Wi-Fi network using another computer. This step helps figure out if the issue is with the network or the individual computer.
8. Ping the printer using the computer that is running PreForm.

   Windows

   1. Go to Start > Command Prompt to open a Command Prompt window.
   2. In the command-line, type ping followed by the printer's IP address and hit enter.

   MacOS

   1. Go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal to open a Terminal window.
   2. In the command-line, type ping followed by the printer's IP address and hit enter.
9. If the computer is not able to ping, use a different computer to ping the printer. If no computer can ping the printer, there are security restrictions on your network preventing a connection.
10. Inspect the internal Wi-Fi antenna on your printer following the steps in the guide:
    • Form 2
    • Form 3 generation
    • Form 3L generation
    • Form 4 generation
    • Form 4L generation
11. If the Wi-Fi antenna is disconnected, plug the Wi-Fi antenna cable into its connector on the System on Module (SOM). The Wi-Fi antenna cable should not be bundled with any other cables.

1. Make sure the switch or router is on and connected.
2. Check that your network speed matches the printer’s requirements.
3. Power cycle the switch or router.
4. Confirm that other devices can connect to the network.
5. Ensure Bonjour is properly installed and up to date. It comes with MacOS but may need to be installed separately on Windows machines. For instructions on installing and updating Bonjour, see the Apple support article Download Bonjour Print Services for Windows.
6. Check the Ethernet cable connected to the router. A blinking LED status light on the router port corresponding to the cable plugged into the printer indicates a successful network connection.
7. Test the Ethernet cable.
   1. Disconnect it from the printer and connect it to a computer.
   2. Try using the computer to access the network via Ethernet.
   3. If the computer is not able to access the network, an issue with the cable or port is likely. Try using a different Ethernet cable or port on the router.
   4. If the connection is successful, remove the cable end from the computer and reconnect it to the printer, then relaunch PreForm.
8. Check the Ethernet port on the printer for resin contamination. If necessary, clean the port using cotton swabs and IPA. Allow the IPA to dry thoroughly before reconnecting the printer to the router.
9. Ping the printer using the computer that is running PreForm.

   Windows

   1. Go to Start > Command Prompt to open a Command Prompt window.
   2. In the command-line, type ping followed by the printer's IP address and hit enter.

   MacOS

   1. Go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal to open a Terminal window.
   2. In the command-line, type ping followed by the printer's IP address and hit enter.
10. If the computer is not able to ping, use a different computer to ping the printer. If no computer can ping the printer, there are security restrictions on your network preventing a connection.

Form Auto

The Form Auto has an integrated Ethernet port that serves as a passthrough to the printer’s Ethernet port. If you are having trouble connecting to a Form Auto over Ethernet:

1. Disconnect the Form Auto’s integrated Ethernet cable from the mounted printer.
2. Connect directly to the printer via Ethernet.
3. If you still cannot connect to the printer, follow the general Ethernet troubleshooting instructions above.
4. If you can connect to the printer directly, continue.
5. Try connecting a different Ethernet cable to the Form Auto.
6. Replace the Form Auto’s Ethernet port. Follow the instructions in the guide Replacing the Form Auto Ethernet port [EN] [DE] [ES] [FR] [IT] [JA] [ZH]. Replacement Form Auto Ethernet ports are available for purchase on the Formlabs Store.

1. Try a different USB cable. If this does not resolve the issue, proceed.
2. Check the USB port for resin contamination, and if necessary, clean the port using cotton swabs and IPA. Allow the IPA to dry thoroughly before reconnecting the printer.
3. Check the list of USB drivers to see if the printer appears.

   Windows

   Go to Control Panel > System and Security > System > Device Manager. The printer should appear under Universal Serial Bus devices.

   MacOS

   Go to Applications > Utilities > System Information. The printer should appear under USB.

4. If the printer does not appear in the USB drivers list, you may need to download the latest USB drivers from the manufacturer's website.

Before submitting a support request to Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller, please provide the following information to help us process your request as quickly as possible: