My Cut Didn't Go Through - Glowforge Performance Laser Users

We’re thrilled to welcome all the new Glowforge enthusiasts to our community! Whether you’re just unboxing your machine or diving into your first project, we’re here to help however we can.

One common question that comes up—especially on Facebook and other forums—is:

"Why didn’t my cut go all the way through?"

Most of the time, the answer lies in a few key areas covered in this helpful Glowforge Support article.

🔍 Key Points from Glowforge Support

Here are the most common culprits when your cut doesn’t go through:

• Crumb tray is not seated correctly or has debris underneath.

• Material is not laying flat on the bed.

• Lens or windows are dirty or damaged.

These issues can all affect the strength and focus of the laser beam.

💡 Additional Tips from Craft Closet

Beyond the basics, here are a few more things we suggest checking if you’re still having trouble:

• Keep your mirrors and camera clean.
  Don’t forget the hidden mirror on the left-hand side (across from the laser head). Even a tiny speck of dust can scatter the laser beam and weaken its cutting power.

• Check your lens and blue mirror installation.
  The lens should be installed with the bowl shape facing up. The blue mirror above the lens should match the correct orientation shown in this image (scroll down to view the diagram).

• Double-check your settings.
  Using the wrong settings for a particular material is a common issue. Visit our Recommended Cut Settings guide for tried-and-true options.

If you’re still stuck after going through this checklist, feel free to reach out or post in the community—chances are someone else has experienced the same thing and can help!