My machine has been stuck in aligning print since 12/31/25 while using the passthrough. Glowforge persistently states that my internet connection is unstable which is not true. I have executed every troubleshooting options they have from hard resetting to unplug the router to connecting to my personal hotspot to connecting to a separate extender. None of these options is working and their most recent reply is to contact a repair service. I hate that I purchased this machine! Glowforge won’t take responsibility for their failed app, software, or cloud. Although it is out of warranty, they can see that I have barely used the machine so it hasn’t been abused or overloaded. The camera doesn’t move when I turn it on. The camera doesn’t refocus. The fan doesn’t even come on. I’m so frustrated with this issue. Anyone else experience this and have a solution other than my internet connection.
Turn off the Glowforge and unplug it. Unplug your router and wifi access point. Close down your computer completely. Wait a minute. Plug your router and wifi back in and let it boot completely. Power on your computer and let it boot completely. Turn on your Glowforge. Open the Glowforge app from a browser you don’t normally use.
If, when you turn on the Glowforge there is no clicking sound of the len focusing, you are not online and the app will show offline.
I’d probably also clear my browser cache and cookies, too, on top of all that. But usually it’s an internet connection problem for me. I think I only had the issue of the glowforge being stuck like that once.
Tried that. It’s not my internet. Nothing has changed with my internet that I’ve had the entire time owning this unit. It’s the internal antenna that isn’t connecting which is apparently a known issue how which Glowforge isn’t taking accountability.
It’s not the internet. I have run numerous tests with my internet provider. It won’t connect to a personal hotspot which has nothing to do with my internet.
If it is “known” it’s not to me — I’ve never heard of it. That’s not to say you’re wrong, just that if it’s your issue it’s rare.
I can think of one way to rule out antenna failure:
Go to the teal button wifi setup mode. Does your pc show the local Glowforge wifi network as an option? If so then the antenna seems functional. You aren’t necessarily out of the woods at that point but if the network shows up it would seem that it’s not an outright hardware failure.
Unfortunately the reverse doesn’t hold true; if you don’t see the wifi setup it doesn’t mean that the antenna has failed. It could be a bunch of other possibilities, such as a failed firmware update. I’m getting into fairly heavy speculation at that point so it’s not helpful to guess much deeper.
Anyway let us know if the wifi network shows up on your pc or phone. It’d rule out antenna failure.
I assume you’ve seen this:
If not scan through if for additional ideas.
You must not read Reddit. There are several complaints. I haven’t changed my WiFi nor the position of my Glowforge and out of the blue this happened. It doesn’t list my personal hotspot which has a strong signal and was literally sitting on top of the unit.
Generally this is a good policy.
Right but this isn’t what I asked. If your pc can see the private network that the Glowforge sets up for configuring then the Glowforge’s wifi hardware itself seems to be functional.
You may have some sort of problem, but it’s not that the antenna itself is nonfunctional. Wifi issues can be hard to isolate. Good luck!
Side note, as to Reddit.
That there are complaints on there about something doesn’t make it true or even real. People jump to conclusions all the time, trying to make data fit their curve. It happens here too, but in general I find the quality of troubleshooting here to be very high. You’re in the company of very experienced users with highly technical backgrounds.
Keep in mind, also complained about on reddit: “My flatmate is neither patient enough to wait till the microwave ends nor responsible enough to reset the microwave after use”
To be fair, that is a valid complaint, but you get the idea 
Is the hotspot perhaps 5GHz only? The Glowforge needs a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network, unfortunately.
Exactly. A few more details from the wifi link I posted earlier:
The Glowforge supports networks using 2.4 GHz b/g/n and WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK, WEP, or open security. While Glowforge supports connections through open or unsecured networks, we do not support connections that require interaction with a landing or splash page (these are often used for networks at schools or other institutions).
The link again, in case the OP missed it:
I have the same WiFi 5 years ago when I purchased it. It has been in the same location since. It suddenly is now having WiFi issues. It isn’t my the WiFi.
Is this your own router or one owned by the ISP?
It’s unlikely but possible that if it’s the ISP’s device they could have updated it remotely.
It’s grasping, but we’re at the point where it’s a weird enough issue that you have to start looking for similarly weird potential problems.
I have moved my printer directly next to my router (AT&T) and it doesn’t clear the Aligning Print issue. I separated the bands between 5ghz & 2.4ghz so that I can connect directly to 2.4ggz. According to my ISP, there is a strong connection. Linux is Glowforge
Hm weird. Definitely something to call support about I’d say.
I have been on several phone calls & emails with their support staff since 12/31/2025. All they can suggest is purchasing a refurbished unit at 50% off with a 3 month warranty. ABSOLUTELY unacceptable. I have barely used this unit. It’s been in the same location, & I’ve had the same WiFi since 2022. Suddenly, I’m having issues.
I do not intend to be harsh here, we’re trying to help.
You asked for help and a number of people asked you to run some fairly simple tests and your response was “I did it” and “that’s not it”, but with no details.
If your responses to support were similar then they are likely unable to diagnose the issue, and when that’s the case their options are: If under warranty, repair. If out of warranty, discount.
If you actually want help, then run through the steps outlined above and respond with what happened. Where does it fail. If not, there’s nothing anyone can do to assist beyond throwing more “what ifs” at you.
I have run those tests several times with Glowforge support on the phone walking me through every troubleshooting option. I have even sent them videos of my executing the steps and nothing changed. So if I say, “I did that” in this group, it should be sufficient. I have executed every option repeatedly, ad nauseam with Glowforge Support walking me through each step as well as doing them on my own. Your presumption about my reply is incorrect. Glowforge and no one else can tell me it’s my WiFi when I literally moved my printer 6” from my router and my connection report from my ISP indicates that there is a strong signal.
I’m looking for a solution that maybe someone has discovered that isn’t one that I have tried already 20+ times each since 12/31/25. I’m not trying to be harsh just exasperated with the entire situation and don’t feel that I have to elaborate any further than “I did that” or “I tried that” especially when none of the suggestions from Glowforge or anyone else has resolved the stuck aligning print status. Glowforge knows it’s their machine hardware. You can’t get any better connection than sitting 6” from the router which has excellent download and upload speed. .
If you thought this then why come here at all?
You expect us to operate on incomplete data and then are surprised when people suggest things to try that you already did? Somehow this then becomes us wasting your time?
Then don’t expect anyone else to carry on a dialogue with you either. We’re a helpful bunch, but the feedback and time that anyone gives you is a gift. You should act and communicate accordingly.
Good luck with your issue.
Reading is fundamental. My initial comment indicated that I have tried every troubleshooting option meaning every one offered by Glowforge. I came here to see if there was by chance someone who had a similar experience and would share their solution hoping it was one I hadn’t tried. If I reply that I’ve tried one that was recommended by someone in this group then don’t be offended. No need to be nasty.
I have acted accordingly. Why are you so offended that I indicated that I have already tried a recommendation? Owners say that all the time and no one gets offended. It’s just common sense and nothing else needs further explanation if you fully read and understood my initial comment.
Has no bearing on the issue at hand,but I thought they weren’t offering refurbs anymore…..