Error Messages

Ultimaker 2, Ultimaker 2 Go, Ultimaker 2 Extended

We have put together the more common error messages you may have seen on an Ultimaker 2 3D printer and how to resolve them. Before troubleshooting an error message, make sure you turn off the 3D printer and disconnect the power supply.

‘Error – Stopped Temp Sensor’

If your printer is showing this particular error message, it means that there is a problem with the sensor that monitors the temperature of the hot end, known as the PT100 B sensor. If the PT100 B sensor is registering incorrect values, for safety reasons it will disable the heat cartridge for nozzle. Most of the time this will just be down to a loose connection at the main board or damage to the sensor itself.

To resolve this issue, please follow these simple steps:

1 - Check for a loose connection
To check for a loose connection on the main board, you will need to place your Ultimaker 2 on its side so that you can access the main circuitboard on the bottom. it’s protected by a metal cover, that you will need to remove by undoing the screws that attach it to the printer.

Once you have access to the main circuitboard, find the sensor cable that is connected to ‘TEMP 1’ on the board, check that it is inserted correctly and there are no loose wires.
2 - Replace the PT100 B sensor
If there are no loose connections, the sensor is most likely damaged and will need replacing.

‘Error – Stopped Temp Sensor Bed’

If your printer is showing this error message, it will be down to the temperature sensor on the heated bed registering incorrect values. For safety reasons it will disable the heated bed from heating up. Again, this is likely to be down to a loose connection, either on the heated bed or main circuitboard. Alternatively there could be some damage to the sensor itself.

To resolve this issue, please follow these simple steps:

1 - Check for a loose connection on the heated bed
You can check the connections on the heated bed by gently pulling the two thin wires connected to the screw terminal on the back of the bed itself. If with of the wires is loose, you will need to remove the heated bed and reconnect the wires.
2 - Check for a loose connection on the main circuitboard
You will need to look at the underside of the machine to check for a bad connection to the main circuitboard. To do this, place your Ultimaker 2 on its side. It’s protected by a metal cover, that you will need to remove by undoing the screws that attach it to the printer.

When you have access to the main circuitboard, look for the heated bed sensor cable, which is connected to ‘TEMP3’ and check that it is secure. It might be worth removing and re-inserting it, to make sure.
3 - Replace the heated bed
If all the connections are secure, this probably means that the sensor is damaged and to resolve this you will need to replace the heated bed.

‘Error – Heater Error’

This error message will usually appear when the sensor can’t register a steady increase in temperature. It could mean that the heater cartridge is not connected fully and is subsequently disabled, to stop it from overheating the nozzle.

There are a few other things that could relate to this error though. Please carry out the following checks:

1 - Update firmware
Ensure that you have updated your Ultimaker 2 to the latest firmware.
2 - Check connections
Check that the heater cartridge and PT100 B sensor are inserted fully to the back of the nozzle block.
3 - Check the fan bracket
If the metal fan bracket is touching the nozzle, heat will be spread and the heat of the nozzle will be reduced. This is likely to cause this error.
4 - Check print file
If you print a model with a very large flat surface, it could cause the airflow to bounce off the model against the nozzle and cool it down. If this is happening, you can decrease the fan speed to resolve it.

‘X or Y Switch Broken’

If you get this error message, it basically means that either the X or Y limit switch is not being activated when the print head returns to the home position.

1 - Check levers on the limit switches
The first thing to check is whether the levers on both limit switches are physically pressed by moving the print head manually to the back left corner. If one isn’t being pressed, you can slightly bend the metal lever to ensure that it does.

It’s also worth checking for any debris that might be blocking the switch, such as loose bits of filament.
2 - Check the pulleys
Another possible cause, is if the print head isn’t reaching the left back corner. This is most likely to be caused by a loose pulley on the X and Y motor. To fix this, you will need an allen key to tighten the grub screws on the driving gears.
3 - Replace X or Y Limit Switches
If you’re still getting this error message, you will need to replace either or both of the X or Y limit switches.

‘Z-Switch Broken’ or ‘Z-Switch Stuck’

One of these two errors indicates that there is problem with the Z limit switch. It basically means that either the Z limit switch can’t be pressed or that something is stuck behind the switch preventing it from switching back and activating. If you get either of these errors, you can carry out the following checks to resolve them.

1 - Check that nothing is blocking the Z limit switch
The first thing to check, is that there isn’t anything in the hole at the bottom of the machine at the back, this is where the Z limit switch is located. Sometimes there might be something under the build platform, like packaging or filament debris that is stopping it from moving down fully.
2 - Bend the lever on the Z switch
You can bend the lever on the Z limit switch very slightly to make sure tat it is activated and switches back okay.

Error Messages

‘Error – Stopped Temp Sensor’

1 - Check for a loose connection

2 - Replace the PT100 B sensor

‘Error – Stopped Temp Sensor Bed’

1 - Check for a loose connection on the heated bed

2 - Check for a loose connection on the main circuitboard

3 - Replace the heated bed

‘Error – Heater Error’

1 - Update firmware

2 - Check connections

3 - Check the fan bracket

4 - Check print file

‘X or Y Switch Broken’

1 - Check levers on the limit switches

2 - Check the pulleys

3 - Replace X or Y Limit Switches

‘Z-Switch Broken’ or ‘Z-Switch Stuck’

1 - Check that nothing is blocking the Z limit switch

2 - Bend the lever on the Z switch

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