It is common to encounter issues such as print not sticking to the buildplate, resin leaks, and failed prints while using the Anycubic Photon. This can be challenging, especially if you’re a new user. That is why I wrote this article to guide you through troubleshooting and fixing some of these issues.
To fix Anycubic Photon issues, you need to level and clean the buildplate, power cycle the 3D printer, plug in any disconnected cables, replace the faulty power cables, and use a smaller-sized USB drive. You can also try to increase the Bottom Exposure Time, replace the LCD screen, and flash the firmware.
These are just some of the methods to solve Anycubic Photon issues. I will go into more detail in this article, so continue reading to learn more.
How to Fix Anycubic Photon Issues
Below are some of the main issues that face Anycubic Photon printers and some of their potential solutions:
Print not sticking to the build plate
Resin leaking or spilling during printing
Failed prints and print errors
Faulty or damaged LCD screen
Problems with the USB
Anycubic not turning on
1. Print Not Sticking to the Build Plate
One of the most common issues you may encounter while using the Anycubic Photon is your prints not sticking to the buildplate, which can lead to unsuccessful 3D prints. This issue typically comes from incorrect build plate leveling, a dirty build plate, and using unsuitable exposure settings.
To fix this issue, you can try one of the following:
Leveling the build plate
Light sand the build plate
Increase the bottom exposure time
Clean the build plate
Leveling the Build Plate
The first method to fix prints not sticking to your build plate is leveling it. When the build plate isn’t level, the distance to the LCD screen varies, creating uneven layer adhesion. This can cause prints to fail.
To level the build plate, you can use the paper leveling method. Here is how to do it:
Clean the build plate thoroughly using a paper towel.
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Remove the resin vat and place it on a clean surface
Next, loosen the build screws that hold the build plate in place.
Place an A4 piece of paper or the leveling paper on the LCD screen and let it cover the entire screen.
From your printer’s control panel, press the “Home” button to lower your build plate.
Push the build plate down on the screen until it is fairly level, and press on the paper on all edges.
After that, tighten all the build screws to hold the build plate firmly in place.
Now, raise the build plate by 0.1mm increments until you feel a slight resistance when you try to wiggle the paper around.
Once you’re satisfied, set the current build plate position as your “Home” by pressing “Z=0” and then “Enter”. This ensures your printer maintains this leveling each time it is powered on.
One user said that they had trouble with the print not sticking to the bed. They were able to fix this using the paper leveling method and getting the build plate down flat and tight to the screen.
Here is a video demonstrating how to carry out the paper leveling method for an Anycubic printer.
Light Sand the Build Plate
If leveling alone doesn’t resolve the issue, lightly sand the buildplate with fine-grit sandpaper. This step can help the prints stick better by providing a slightly rougher surface for the first resin layer to grip onto.
However, you should be careful not to damage the build plate’s surface in the process.
One user whose Photon S prints could not stick to the bed said that he lapped (rubbing with a rough material) his build plate with a piece of 600 grit sandpaper stuck on a 1” square foot glass.
Another user said that lightly sanding the build plate using the finest grit sandpaper seemed to help his prints stick better.
Increase the Bottom Exposure Time
Consider adjusting the bottom exposure settings to increase the time the first layer takes to cure. This will help your prints to stick better to the build plate. The key lies in experimenting with different exposure times until you find the optimal settings for improved adhesion.
To change the bottom exposure time in ChiTuBox, you need to open ChiTuBox and go to “Settings”.
Under the “Print” settings, adjust the value for the Bottom Exposure Time.
One user said that if things are attempting to print but not sticking to the build plate, the best solution was to increase the exposure time when it prints the first few layers.
Another user said that one fix for Photon S prints not sticking to the build plate was to increase the cure time for the bottom layers. He recommended moving the value up to about 90 – 120 seconds.
Clean the Build Plate
A clean build plate is essential for successful adhesion. Before every print, carefully wipe the build plate with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth. This will remove any dust, fingerprints, or cured resin residue that might be causing your prints not to stick to the build plate.
One user said that an effective way to deal with prints not sticking to the build plate of an Anycubic Photon Mono X is to clean your plate with Isopropanol thoroughly.
Another common issue when using the Anycubic Photon is resin leaking or spilling from the printer. This issue usually comes from a FEP film that has been damaged or scratched or a damaged vat.
It might also result from loose screws and fasteners in the resin vat assembly causing instability and leaks. Some of the main ways to fix this problem are:
Tighten resin vat screws
Replace the FEP
Replace the resin vat
Tighten Resin Vat Screws
An effective way to stop resin leaks is to tighten any loose screws or fasteners within the resin vat that are causing the FEP to be loose, leading to leakage. Just be careful not to overtighten because you could cause damage.
One user with resin leaking all over his screen wanted to know how to solve the issue. Someone with a similar issue said they didn’t tighten the screws that tension the FEP film, and some resin got through the gap. Tightening them again helped to stop the leaks
If you’ve tightened the screws but still get leaks, the FEP is damaged and needs replacing. Begin by draining the resin vat and removing it from the printer.
Now, carefully remove the damaged film and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to replace it with a new one that is tight and free of wrinkles.
One user wanted to know how he could stop resin from leaking onto the screen of his Anycubic Photon Mono X. Several users advised him to replace the FEP as no patching would stop the leakage.
Check out this video by Anycubic Support on replacing FEP film for Photon Mono X.
Replace the Resin Vat
There are situations where you might need to replace the VAT to fix leakage issues. Power off your printer and unplug it before removing the old resin vat and installing a new one.
You should follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions to ensure everything is properly aligned and secure.
One user with a Photon Mono X said that he had the problem of resin leaking from his vat. He tried replacing the FEP three times, but it didn’t help. However, he never had the problem again after replacing the VAT.
3. Failed Prints and Print Errors
Anycubic Photon users usually regularly experience print errors or failed prints while 3D printing. Some of the main causes of this issue include misalignment of the Z-axis, incorrect support settings, resin inconsistencies, and outdated firmware.
Here is how you can go about this issue if you’re facing it:
Calibrate the Z-Axis
Flash the firmware
Print with more supports
Calibrate the Z-Axis
The fastest way of dealing with failed prints is to calibrate the Z-axis. This is because an improperly calibrated Z-axis can cause the initial layer of the print to not stick to the build plate properly.
This will cause it to fall off the plate during printing, leading to a failed print. To fix this, calibrate and level the Z-axis of your Anycubic Photon.
You can follow the procedure I outlined above for leveling the build plate to calibrate the Z-axis.
One user who consistently got print failures with his Anycubic Photon Mono 4K while trying to print a model said that resetting the Z-axis and new print settings resolved the issue.
Flash the Firmware
A couple of users have reported having print failures after updating the firmware of their Anycubic Photon. To get rid of this issue, they just flashed the firmware.
A fresh firmware installation reduces the chances of crashes, freezes, or other unexpected software behaviors that cause print errors.
Ensure you use the correct firmware version tailored to your Anycubic Photon model and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for flashing the firmware.
Here is how you can flash and upgrade the firmware of the Anycubic Photon Mono X from 3.4.7 or 3.4.8 to 3.5.4 version.
One user complained that he got print failures since updating the firmware of his Mono X. However, after reflashing the firmware and running the test cube, it looked to work well.
Print with More Supports
One way you can minimize print failures is to add more supports to your 3D model. Increasing the density and placement of supports can help to stabilize complex prints, thus reducing the likelihood of sagging, warping and print failures.
Here is how you use 3D resin print support in ChiTuBox to minimize the chances of failed prints.
A user who got multiple failed prints on his Anycubic Photon Mono was advised to add more supports to his model by many users. One user suggested adding supports at the starting points of the models closest to the build plate.
Another frustrating issue you might face when using the Anycubic Photon is a faulty or damaged LCD screen. The leading cause of this problem is loose connections between the screen and control board and physical damage to the screen.
If you encounter this issue, you can try any of the methods below to resolve it:
Plug in any disconnected cables
Power cycle
Replace the LCD
Plug in Any Disconnected Cables
During shipping or when operating the machine, vibrations may cause the ribbon cables to unplug partially. This can lead to an unresponsive screen or damage to the screen.
Inspect your LCD screen, and if you find any loose or disconnected cables, carefully reconnect them and ensure they are secure and properly aligned.
One user with an issue with his LCD said it started from a cable connected to the screen. To fix it, he disconnected the cable from the motherboard and plugged it back in.
He added that you should try reseating the ribbon cable on both ends first before you think of purchasing a new LCD.
A simple power cycle can fix screen-related issues. Start by turning off the 3D printer and unplugging it from the power source. Allow the printer to sit for a few minutes to discharge residual power. After that, plug it back in and power it on. This should do the trick.
One user said that he had issues with the LCD screen of his Anycubic Photon after a week of printing. Another user who had experienced a similar problem with his machine said he got it going by power cycling a few times.
In addition, he recommended not turning the machine off again once it started to work.
If the screen is physically damaged or the problem persists despite reconnecting cables and power cycling, replacing it with a new one may be necessary. Look up a screen replacement for your specific Anycubic Photon model from their official website.
After that, contact their support so they can guide you through the replacement process. However, if you find it too difficult, you can send the printer to qualified technicians for repair.
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One user had a screen issue with his Anycubic Photon S and needed to know how to fix it. Someone else commented that they faced the same issue and solved it by ordering a replacement for about $30 on Amazon and installing it.
Another user said that he dripped resin on his Anycubic Photon S touchscreen the first week he got it. Luckily, he contacted Anycubic support, and they sent him a brand-new touchscreen and ribbon cable for free.
Issues with the USB drive can disrupt the printing process, preventing the printer from receiving the necessary print files. These issues may arise from using an incorrectly formatted USB drive, using an incompatible USB drive, and saving files in the wrong format on the USB drive.
If you face any of these problems, you can try each of the following solutions to see the one that will fix your problem:
Format the USB to FAT32 file system
Use a smaller-sized USB drive
Format the USB to FAT32 File System
Formatting the USB drive to the FAT32 file system, the most compatible format for 3D printers, will fix any USB-related issues.
To do this, insert the USB drive into your computer and open the file explorer.
Locate the USB drive, right-click on it, and select “Format”.
In the formatting options, choose FAT32 as the file system and click “Start” to initiate the formatting process.
One user said that nothing showed up when he tried to print using the USB stick that came with his new Photon S. To fix this, he reformatted the USB to the FAT32 file system and updated the firmware. It then worked perfectly after putting the printable file on the USB drive.
Here is a video explaining how to format any drive as FAT32.
Use a Smaller-Sized USB Drive
Some Anycubic Photon 3D printer models have limitations to the size of the USB drive they can read. So, if your 3D printer can’t read your USB drive, try using a smaller one to see if it will be compatible.
One user said he picked up a 120g thumb drive from BestBuy and ported the files from ChiTuBox to the Photon format.
After that, he moved them to the thumb drive, plugged them in, and the printer’s touch screen went dead. This is because the Anycubic Photon has a limitation on the size of the file that it can read.
However, it finally started printing after pulling up an 8GB SD card, formatting it correctly, and plugging it into the printer.
6. Anycubic Not Turning On
Have you ever turned on your Anycubic Photon printer but failed to power it on? This might indicate that you have a faulty power supply cable, disconnected cables and wires, or a problematic USB drive. To fix this, you’ll need to:
Check for loose or disconnected cables and wires
Replace the power supply cable
Use a different USB drive
Check for Loose or Disconnected Cables and Wires
Inspect the 3D printer for any loose connections. Loose wires and cables can prevent the transfer of power to various 3D printer components, causing it to fail to turn on. If you find any loose connections, plug them back into their respective ports.
One user said that his Anycubic Photon S was not powering up, and after opening it up, he found that one of the internal cables was loose. He fixed it to correct the issue.
Another user whose photon arrived but could not power on said that some loose wires in his setup were the cause of his issue. Fixing it enabled him to resolve the issue.
Replace the Power Supply Cable
If your 3D printer doesn’t power on, the power supply cable may be faulty. To resolve this, you can replace it with a functional one.
One user who had just received the Photon S he had ordered couldn’t seem to get it to power on. It turned out his power supply cable was faulty, so he switched it out for a different cable from another device, which did the trick.
Use a Different USB Drive
Sometimes, using an incompatible USB drive can cause your printer to fail to turn on. So, you can use a different one to see if your printer will start up correctly.
One user said that his Anycubic Photon couldn’t turn on when the USB was inserted. However, after changing from a 32GB 3.0 drive to a 16GB 2.0 drive and plugging it in, the printer could read it immediately.
Someone mentioned that USB 3.0 drives draw too much current through the USB port, which may become problematic for some printers, especially when the USB drive is bigger than 16GB.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Michael Dwamena is the founder of 3D Printerly, a platform dedicated to simplifying 3D printing for hobbyists and professionals alike. Owns over 20 3D printers (filament and resin) and has plenty experience 3D printing. Michael has authored over 900 articles, helping millions navigate the exciting world of 3D printing.
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