This guide shows 19 common errors about fiber laser engraver and provides practical solutions to help you improve engraving machine performance in 2025.

Laser engraving technology has progressed from large-scale industrial applications to today’s more compact desktop laser engravers. As with any new technology, mastering laser engraving machines requires both knowledge and hands-on experience. Most people first encounter laser engraving through everyday products. When using an engraver for the first time, it’s common to face operational challenges.

I. Machine Operation

1. Failure to Power On

• Check Power Connections:

  Ensure all cables are securely connected to the engraving machine. If the device has no power, check that the electrical outlet is functioning properly. Loose plugs are a frequent culprit. Inspect the power switch and circuit breaker for any issues.
  

• Reset Emergency Stop:

  Confirm the emergency stop button is disengaged. If the button was triggered, follow the manufacturer’s reset procedure to restore normal operation.
  

2. No Laser Emission

• Check Protective Lens Cover:

  Ensure the protective lens cover is properly installed. Direct exposure of the laser lens may block beam output for safety reasons.
  

• Laser Engraver Software Connection:

  Confirm the laser engraving software is correctly linked to the machine. Reboot both the software and engraver, then re-establish communication protocols. Update drivers or reinstall software if connection errors persist.

3. Low Laser Output Power

• Laser Source Issues:

  Aging or damaged laser sources or power fluctuations may reduce the beam intensity. If the laser power is low, replace the laser tube or perform maintenance and calibration. Clean the laser tube, especially if contaminants are present.
  

• Optical System Defects:

  Lenses, mirrors, or other components may suffer from contamination, misalignment, or damage, which can affect light transmission and focusing. Inspect and clean the optics regularly to maintain the best performance of your laser engraving machine.
  

• Incorrect Focal Position:

  Improper focal alignment leads to blurred markings. Precisely adjust the focal position for optimal engraving quality.
  

• Parameter Configuration:

  Incorrect marking parameters (such as power, speed, frequency) can cause poor results. Adjust settings based on material properties and process requirements of the engraving process.
  

• Material Compatibility:

  Material characteristics, such as reflectivity and absorptivity, impact how well the laser engraving machine interacts with the material. Tailor the engraving parameters to the workpiece's specific properties.
  

• Maintenance Protocol:

  Wipe dust from laser lenses. If issues persist after cleaning, replace the laser head. Regularly clean the workspace and maintain a cleaning cycle for the equipment.
  

4. Laser Moving Without Engraving

• Laser Power Settings:

  Ensure the power level is appropriate for the material being engraved. Insufficient power prevents effective engraving. Adjust material-specific parameters (e.g., wood vs. metal) in the laser engraver machine settings.
  

• Focus Alignment Verification:

  Confirm that the laser engraver is correctly focused on the focal plane. Recalibrate the Z-axis or execute auto-focus routines (if available) to correct misalignment.
  

• Laser Engraving Software Configuration:

  Confirm the correct design file is loaded with properly configured engraving parameters (speed, power, hatch patterns). If conflicts occur, reset the software to default settings.
  

• Connection & Communication Integrity:

  Inspect USB/Ethernet cables for physical damage. Restart both the fiber laser engraver and laser engraving software to reinitialize communication protocols. Check device manager for driver conflicts or recognition errors.
  

5. Unstable Laser Emission

• Parameter Settings:

  Confirm the correct laser type is selected in the software. Incorrect configuration may cause continuous emission failure in your laser engraver.
  

• Data Cable Inspection:

  Check for loose connections or unreliable wiring in control cables. Secure all connectors firmly to prevent communication issues in the laser engraving machine.
  

6. Red Laser Preview

• Port Settings Verification:

  Confirm the port configuration is correct.

• 5V Power Check:

  Ensure stable 5V voltage input to the red light module.
  

II. Laser Engraving Software

1. LightBurn Installation

One common issue for users is installing the software. While some laser engraving machines come with proprietary software, LightBurn remains a versatile choice for both laser engraving and cutting. If you encounter installation problems, refer to the LightBurn Software Installation guide.

2. Machine-Computer Connection

After installing LightBurn software and drivers:

• Click "Device > Find My Device" in the lower-right corner. This process typically takes 1-2 minutes.
  
• Select the detected device in LightBurn and click "Add".
  
• Switch the active device to the connected unit.
  
• "Ready" status on the machine confirms successful connection.
  

3. Material Testing

Incorrect parameter ranges during material testing may lead to inaccurate results.

• Set appropriate power and speed test ranges based on material type and thickness.
  Example: For wood, use "10%-100% power“ with ”100-3000 mm/min speed“.
  Select the optimal parameter combination by observing test outcomes.

4. Cutting Optimization Settings

Poor path planning during cutting optimization may reduce engraving efficiency.

• Click "Cut inner shapes first" and "Reduce travel moves"
  
• The "Preview" function will help verify optimized cutting paths, ensuring logical and efficient machine movement.
  

III. Laser Engraving Files 

1. Out-of-Sequence Engraving

During sub-layer processing, misconfigured parameters across layers may lead to undesired results in laser engraving.

• In LightBurn:

  Set distinct cutting/engraving parameters for each sub-layer with descriptive labels. Differentiate layers in the "Cut/Layers" panel using color coding. Right-click on objects and select "Order to Layer" for precise layer allocation to improve efficiency in the engraving process.
  

2. Poor Vectorization Quality

Inadequate image tracing reduces engraving precision.

• In the "Trace Image" window:

  Adjust threshold and cutoff values to refine vector edges.
  Use the "Preview" function to verify vectorization accuracy before processing.

3. Image Adjustment

Improper parameter tuning during image editing affects output quality.

• In the "Adjust Image" window:

  Gradually modify contrast, brightness, and gamma values. Continuously monitor changes through the "Preview" function to ensure optimal tonal distribution, leading to better outcomes when using the engraver.
  

IV. Engraving Results

1. Misaligned Engraving Patterns

Design elements may deviate from expected positions, causing overlapping layers between channels, irregular processing sequences, incorrect starting points, or asymmetry.

• Check if the laser head is loose

  Tighten it with appropriate tools to secure the head, ensuring the laser movement mechanism is rigid. Inspect the pulley system for wear and replace damaged pulleys.

• Recalibrate the device and align the laser beam

  Perform test engravings on scrap material. Maintain the machine regularly for optimal performance.
  

2. Poor and Uneven Edge Quality

• Low resolution:

• This often occurs during detailed engraving. If this happens, increase the resolution to a higher setting to improve clarity in the engraving.
  

• Incorrect DPI:

• Low DPI (dots per inch) can cause blurriness and reduce the sharpness of the engraving. Increase the DPI to improve precision and clarity in the engraving process.
  

• Out-of-focus engraving:

• Blurred patterns occur when the laser engraving machine is not correctly focused. Recalibrate the fiber laser engraving machine to address this and ensure sharp results.
  

• Material movement during engraving:

• Shifting or displacement of the material can lead to misaligned or uneven edges. Ensure the material is securely fixed in place before engraving.
  

3. Burnt Edges or Charring on Material

Visible scorching or blackened edges indicate burning during engraving. Address this issue as follows:

• Excessive power or low speed:

• High laser power combined with slow movement causes material burning. Reduce the machine's power or increase the engraving speed to eliminate blackened spots.

• Material incompatibility:

• Avoid materials incompatible with laser processing, particularly plastics, which easily char and should not be laser-engraved.
  

• Defocused laser:

• Improper focal positioning concentrates excessive heat, leading to localized burning. Recalibrate the laser head and adjust resolution for even energy distribution.
  

• Laser type selection:

• Use fiber laser engraver for metal materials and diode laser engraver for non-metallic materials.

4. Insufficient Engraving Depth

• Low laser power or incorrect focus:

• The most common cause of shallow engraving. Adjust the power output and focal position to achieve the desired depth with your engraver.
  

• Excessive engraving speed:

• High speed reduces laser-material interaction time. Decrease the speed to ensure adequate energy delivery.
  

• Material surface properties:

• Variations in surface reflectivity/absorptivity affect depth. Optimize the power, speed, and frequency settings based on the material's specific properties for better results in laser engraving.
  

5. Uneven Engraving

This issue typically arises from inconsistencies in the material surface.

• Ensure the material is smooth, clean, and free of protrusions/indentations before engraving.
  
• Secure the material firmly to the workbed to prevent unintended movement during processing.
  
• Verify the laser’s focal alignment. Improper focus may cause distortions. Precisely adjust the focal distance for uniform results.