Glowforge fails initialization – “Head Not Found” or endless head positioning under camera

Community Support
1

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping someone with experience troubleshooting Glowforge Plus hardware might be able to help me identify which component could be causing this issue.

My Glowforge fails to complete initialization every time it starts, but the failure can happen in two different ways:

Scenario 1:
The print head starts moving during initialization but stops somewhere along its path. The button turns yellow and I get a “Head Not Found” error.

Scenario 2:
The print head reaches the area underneath the lid camera. The button does not turn yellow but initialization never completes. The head keeps making very small repeated movements, almost as if the camera is trying but failing to locate it correctly.

So the problem itself is not intermittent — initialization fails on every startup — but the exact behavior varies between these two scenarios.

Things I have already checked:

  • Thoroughly cleaned the machine, including optics, cameras and mirrors.

  • Checked the print head ribbon cable. It appears to be OK, although I haven’t completely ruled out a fault that might only occur while the cable is moving/flexing.

  • Checked the machine logs, but I couldn’t find anything that clearly identifies the faulty component.

  • Following Glowforge Support’s instructions, disconnected and reconnected the cables/connectors on the motherboard.

  • Glowforge Support is unfortunately unable to provide further remote troubleshooting because the machine is out of warranty.

The machine powers on normally and the head is physically able to move.

Since the machine is out of warranty, I’m prepared to replace parts myself. However, I’m located in Tahiti, French Polynesia, so ordering several parts just to troubleshoot by trial and error gets expensive very quickly.

Has anyone experienced these exact symptoms before?

More specifically, I’d love to know what you would test or replace next, and whether these two different initialization failures point toward a particular component.

I can provide photos, videos or additional information if that would help.

Thanks very much for any advice!

2

Longshots:

What’s your lighting like? Direct sun or harsh lighting can prevent initialization.

Did you clean the top of the laser head? The camera needs to get a clear look at the Glowforge logo.

Glowforge has access to different logs from the ones we do locally. What do they show in their logs?

3

Another thing I always do when I have initialization errors, though it may have nothing to do with your problem, is to turn off the machine. Gently move the head directly below the lid camera, so it is right there upon start up (Just make sure the machine is off during this step). And then start the setup normally. Sometimes, having that logo there from the start can help.