Troubleshooting Guide

Having trouble with STL Viewer? This guide covers the most common issues and their solutions.

File Upload Issues

❌ File Won't Upload

Possible causes:

• STL file has formatting issues
• File size too large
• Network connection issues

Solutions:

❌ Upload Starts But Fails

Solutions:

• Check your internet connection
• Try uploading a smaller file first
• Clear your browser cache and try again

Model Display Problems

❌ 3D Model Won't Load

Common solutions:

1. Refresh the page and try again
2. Clear browser cache:
   • Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data
   • Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Clear Data
   • Safari: Safari menu > Clear History
3. Disable browser extensions temporarily
4. Try incognito/private browsing mode

❌ Model Appears Corrupted or Missing Parts

This may happen when:

• The original STL file has errors
• The file was not properly exported or has formatting issues (ASCII vs Binary STL)
• The model is extremely complex

Solutions:

1. Re-export the file from your original 3D modeling software as STL
2. Simplify the model before exporting to reduce polygon count
3. Try different STL export settings (Binary STL is usually more reliable than ASCII)

❌ Model Loads But Looks Wrong

Check these settings in your 3D modeling/slicing software:

• Export units (mm, inches, etc.)
• STL export precision/resolution settings
• Ensure proper mesh generation and no missing faces

Performance Issues

🐌 Slow Loading

For large files:

• Loading can take several minutes for complex models
• Files over 50MB may be very slow
• Consider simplifying your model

For better performance:

• Close other browser tabs
• Ensure strong internet connection
• Use a computer with dedicated graphics

🐌 Sluggish Model Rotation/Zoom

Solutions:

1. Close other applications to free up system resources
2. Use Google Chrome for best performance
3. Lower your screen resolution temporarily
4. Restart your browser

Browser Compatibility

✅ Fully Supported Browsers

• Google Chrome 90+ (Recommended)
• Microsoft Edge 90+
• Mozilla Firefox 88+
• Safari 14+

❌ Unsupported Browsers

• Internet Explorer (all versions)
• Very old browser versions
• Some mobile browsers

Mobile Device Issues

If STL Viewer doesn't work well on mobile:

• Use a tablet instead of phone for better experience
• Try desktop/laptop for complex models
• Ensure your mobile browser is updated

Network and Connectivity

🌐 Slow Network Solutions

Recommended connection:

• Download speed: At least 5 Mbps
• Stable connection (avoid public WiFi for large files)

If experiencing network issues:

1. Test your connection speed at speedtest.net
2. Try a different network if possible
3. Upload during off-peak hours

Still Having Problems?

Before Contacting Support

1. Note your browser version (Help > About in most browsers)
2. Note your operating system (Windows, Mac, etc.)
3. Note the exact error message (take a screenshot)
4. Try with a different STL file to see if the issue persists

Quick Troubleshooting Checklist

• ✅ Using a supported browser?
• ✅ Browser is up to date?
• ✅ File is in STL format (.stl)?
• ✅ File is under 100 MB?
• ✅ Good internet connection?
• ✅ Tried refreshing the page?
• ✅ Tried incognito/private mode?

Most issues can be resolved by updating your browser or trying a different file. STL Viewer works best with modern browsers and well-formatted 3D model files, especially STL files for 3D printing.