Why Is Nothing Appearing in Resin 3D Printer?

Why is nothing appearing in resin 3d printer? Read below for some of the most common fixes to get you printing again in no time.

One of the most frustrating issues in resin 3D printing is when you go to check on your print, only to find nothing there. You’re left staring at an empty build plate or a vat full of uncured resin, wondering what went wrong. Before you panic, know that this is a common problem. The good news is it’s usually fixable. Let’s go through the most likely reasons why your resin print is failing to appear and how to get your printer back on track.

Common Reasons Why Nothing Is Printing

1. Build Plate Adhesion Issues

If your print isn’t sticking to the build plate, it might have detached early in the process and fallen into the resin vat. Here’s what to check:

Build Plate Leveling: If the build plate isn’t properly leveled, the first few layers won’t stick properly. Relevel the plate according to your printer’s instructions. There are a few different methods that have worked for us over the years:
- You can check to make sure the built plate is level with just a ruler and flashlight. Put the ruler on the build plate and then shine a flashlight at the side. You will be able to see any gaps underneath and adjust accordingly.
- There is also the paper method. You basically want to lower the build platform until you feel the paper has even resistance when you move it. Read [Chitobox](https://www.chitubox.com/en/academy/advanced/how-to-level-the-build-plate-on-a-bottom-up-3d-printer)’s method for more details.
Bottom Exposure Time: The first layers need extra curing time to bond with the plate. Try increasing the bottom exposure time in your slicer settings. [Anycubic](https://store.anycubic.com/blogs/3d-printing-guides/fix-resin-print-not-sticking-to-buildplate) mentions a good starting point is to increase the bottom exposure by 10 seconds and add 5 bottom layers to help with adhesion.
Build Plate Surface: If your printer has been used a decent amount, you may want to give it a good cleaning. You can try sanding the build plate surface lightly or cleaning with isopropyl alcohol to help with adhesion.

2. Print Sticking to the FEP Film

If your print is forming but staying stuck to the FEP (the clear film at the bottom of the resin vat), your settings might be off.

Over-Tightened FEP Film: A film that’s too tight can make prints stick more to it than the build plate. Lightly press on the FEP to check for a slight flex when tapped.
Dirty or Cloudy FEP: If your FEP is too cloudy, light can’t pass through effectively. Either think about replacing it, or clean with isopropyl alcohol. You can gently rub underneath the bottom where any resin is sticking and it should pop off. After you spray and get the resin off, wipe down with a lint-free cloth. Keep in mind that FEP films can break easily, so be really careful with this step.

3. Not Enough UV Exposure

If your printer’s UV light isn’t doing its job, your resin prints are going to stay sticky or soft instead of curing properly. Here’s how to troubleshoot it:

Check Your Light Source: Some printers let you test the UV LEDs, so if yours has that feature, run a quick test to make sure they’re actually working. You can also test by leaving the cover open and doing a dry run. Make sure you see a solid blue line coming from the LCD screen. If there is no light, you may need to replace the light. If the light is uneven, you may need to realign your printer.
Know Your Resin: Not all resins cure at the same speed—some need more exposure time. Double-check the manufacturer’s recommended settings so you’re not accidentally under-curing your prints. I have an article with [resin curing times](https://layermatic.com/how-long-to-cure-resin-prints/) from top manufacturers to help you out with this. Resin curing can be very specific depending on the maker, so really make sure you get this right.
Look for Blockages: If there’s any resin residue or dust on the protective glass covering your UV light, it could be cutting down the exposure. Give it a good clean to make sure nothing’s in the way.

4. Resin Not Flowing Properly

If your resin isn’t properly covering the print area, your layers won’t form correctly. Here are a few reasons that could be causing this:

Resin Stirring: Make sure to mix your resin well before printing. Pigments can settle, leading to uneven exposure.
Temperature Issues: Resin prints best in warm environments (20–28°C). If your resin is too cold, it won’t flow or cure as expected.

5. Print Orientation and Supports

If your model isn’t positioned well, it might not even get past the first few layers.

Angle Your Prints: Printing directly flat on the build plate can lead to adhesion issues. Angling your print at 30-45 degrees reduces suction forces and improves success rates.
Check Your Supports: Weak or insufficient supports can cause prints to detach mid-process. Increase the number of medium and heavy supports in your slicer, especially for larger prints.
Raft or Base Layers: Adding a raft or extra bottom layers can help stabilize the print and improve adhesion.

6. Firmware or Slicer Issues

If your settings are off, the printer might not be curing anything at all.

Wrong Print Files: Your printer may not recognize the print files at all. Your printing files could be saved in a different file type that won’t work with your specific printer. For example, maybe you save as a photon file, but it needs to be saved in .pws. Make sure you double check that the file type is correct, because this can cause failures even before you even begin printing.
Check Your Slicer Profile: Make sure you’re using the correct settings for your specific printer and resin. If the layer height, exposure time, or lift speeds are incorrect, the print may fail before it even starts.
Update Firmware: Some printers require firmware updates to fix printing issues. Check your manufacturer’s website for the latest version and update if needed.
Try a Different Slicer: Some slicers work better with specific printers. If your prints keep failing, consider using a different slicer, such as Lychee Slicer or PrusaSlicer, to see if that resolves the issue.
Corrupt Print Files: If a specific model keeps failing, try re-exporting it or running it through a repair tool like Meshmixer or Netfabb to fix potential file errors.

Final Thoughts: Why is Nothing Appearing in Resin 3D Printer

So now that we have gone through the most common issues, here is a quick reminder for fixing the issue:

Check the build plate – Make sure it’s level with the paper or flashlight method.
Inspect the FEP film – Check to make sure the FEP is clean and that the print isn’t sticking to it.
Test the UV exposure – Run a light test or increase exposure times.
Verify resin flow and temperature – Stir and warm up your resin to 20–28°C.
Review print orientation and supports – Adjust angles to 30-45 degrees and add more supports.
Update slicer settings and firmware – Make sure your file types are correct and aren’t corrupted.

By going through these common problems, you can pinpoint why nothing is appearing in your resin printer 3D and get back to producing high-quality prints in no time.