# Z axis motor not working **URL:** \ **Category:** Troubleshooting\ **Created:** [March 11, 2026, 1:10am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-not-working/25605 "2026-03-11T01:10:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Goatkeeper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@Goatkeeper](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Goatkeeper)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 1:10am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-not-working/25605/1 "2026-03-11T01:10:41Z")
hi, although I had assembled my machine months ago, I was unable to continue this project due to cancer. just started back and going trough the set up and unfortunetly one of my z axis stepper motor is not responding when trying to bottom the assembly. tried several time , disconnecting and reconnecting connectors etc…repowering the machine but no cigar. desapointing to say the least! any suggestion on troubleshooting this issue ---
**Author:** ![ian\_ab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a587f6/32.png) [@ian\_ab](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/ian_ab)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 6:44am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-not-working/25605/2 "2026-03-11T06:44:12Z")
Have you tries swapping the leads on the controller board to prove the motors? Some of the new boards did have a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Goatkeeper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@Goatkeeper](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Goatkeeper)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 5:06pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-not-working/25605/3 "2026-03-11T17:06:20Z")
No, but will do that today and let you know ---
**Author:** ![Lasse](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/lasse/32/27131_2.png) [@Lasse](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Lasse)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 6:51pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-not-working/25605/4 "2026-03-11T18:51:59Z")
Hi @Goatkeeper. I had a similar issue which started showing when working in a colder more moist environment. No movement on the z-axis. Pointing a heat gun (a hairdryer would probably also do the trick) shortly on the controller relieves the issue for me. I’m now using a new controller and while its also getting warmer here I haven’t encountered the issue anymore. Perhaps also check this thread: [Z axis - No movement at all, Maslow 4.1 - #38 by Lasse](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-no-movement-at-all-maslow-4-1/23733/38) ---
**Author:** ![Goatkeeper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@Goatkeeper](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Goatkeeper)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 8:39pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-not-working/25605/5 "2026-03-11T20:39:25Z")
ian\_ab; So, I have done the swaping of connectors and indeed the connector U8 is not functioning ( U11 is ok). lasse; I am now in a heated garage but I did store it in my barn while getting treament. I will try your trick and see, TBC ---
**Author:** ![ian\_ab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a587f6/32.png) [@ian\_ab](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/ian_ab)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 8:42pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-not-working/25605/6 "2026-03-11T20:42:35Z")
Referring to @bar for follow up. ---
**Author:** ![Goatkeeper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@Goatkeeper](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Goatkeeper)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 8:59pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-not-working/25605/7 "2026-03-11T20:59:44Z")
ian\_ab; I have a correction, U8 is working but U11 is not. I appreciate the referral to @bar. Lasse, gently applied heat on controller board but still nothing from U11. machine status; updated to 1.19 with success and “retract all” function works just fine but you really have to watch the belts so that they don’t droop unto the unit bellow and bind things up!! Thank for the help:-) ---
**Author:** ![bar](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/bar/32/10_2.png) [@bar](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/bar)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 10:05pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-not-working/25605/8 "2026-03-11T22:05:49Z")
That was a fairly common issue in the first Kickstarter batch of boards. I will DM you a code for a free placement right now. I am sorry for the trouble! ---
**Author:** ![Goatkeeper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@Goatkeeper](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Goatkeeper)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 11:51pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-not-working/25605/9 "2026-03-11T23:51:14Z")
Bar, did place the order, very much appreciated and thank you. looking forward to start buiding my boat:-) ---
**Author:** ![Goatkeeper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@Goatkeeper](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Goatkeeper)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 10:46pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-not-working/25605/10 "2026-03-15T22:46:49Z")
@bar, after receiving the new board, installed it and reconnected it. On the first attempt under V0.87 the Z axis worked fine. opened the config menu and entered the appropriate data, initiated a retract which was already retracted but seemed fine in its attempt, initiated an extended command but the belts are impossible to pull out. restarted the unit, now the z axis doesn’t work when commended up and same thing for the belts. decided to update the fluidnc, which after some communication issues updated to V1.19. fluidnc tells me that it was successfully updated. restarted the unit and updated the config. Now the z axis still doesn’t work and neither does the extent. I have tried commands to release tension but nothing happens. needless to say I’m frustrated to have so many basic functionality issues at this stage. I’m looking for advice for resolving this nonfunctioning maslow unit. ---
**Author:** ![dlang](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dlang/32/859_2.png) [@dlang](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/dlang)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2026, 1:32am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-not-working/25605/11 "2026-03-16T01:32:50Z")
The Z axis is the simplest one, if it isn’t working, it’s probably a problem with the maslow.yaml file note that when you upgrade the firmware, you need to also update the index.html.gz file also, when upgrading from 0.87 to 1.19, you need to do this via USB, it can’t be done with a wifi upgrade. David Lang ---
**Author:** ![Goatkeeper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@Goatkeeper](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Goatkeeper)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 12:53am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-not-working/25605/12 "2026-03-17T00:53:02Z")
David, thanks for your reply. Your comment sent me into a wild goose chase for the proper “maslow.yaml” file. this is my finding, the new board that i received had a version 0.87 firmware. I proceeded to update through USB to version 1.19 and the report showed that the FW was indeed V 1.19 and all 3 files Maslow.yaml, index.html.gz and firmware.bin were listed as resident in the system. Well, come to find out the assets for the V 1.19 have only 6 assets, missing the maslow.yaml. so updating from V 0.87 directly to V 1.19 uses the maslow.yaml of the V 0.87 version. so proceeded to erase the V 1.19 firmware and updated to V 1.18. Voila does my findings have any validity, don’t know but it worked for me. anyway that to all for the help. Philippe