Why does my stepper motor make noise but not move?

Why does my stepper motor make noise but not move?

Stepper motors are widely used in a variety of applications due to their high accuracy and ability to rotate in precise steps in applications such as 3D printing, CNC machine tools and robotics, however, sometimes a stepper motor may make noise but not move, if you are also experiencing this problem, light don't get frustrated yet, this doesn't necessarily mean that your stepper motor is damaged. In this article, we will explore the possible causes of this problem and provide solutions to help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue.

Checking Connections

The first step in troubleshooting a stepper motor that makes noise but does not rotate is to check the wiring. If it is the first time to use the stepper motor, be sure to strictly follow the drawing wiring, part of the line connection error may cause the motor blocking, and in serious cases may also burn the motor. If it is not the first time to use, you can check whether the line is broken or disconnected, if the line is disconnected may also lead to the problem of only ringing but not rotating.

Checking the driver

If the wiring is fine, you can check the driver. The driver is responsible for sending the proper signals to the stepper motor to make it move. If the driver is faulty or improperly configured, it may cause the motor to make noise but not turn. Check the voltage and current ratings of the driver to make sure they match the motor's operating requirements. Also, make sure the driver's output is properly connected to the motor's input.

Check the load

A load on a stepper motor can also cause it to make noise but not move. If the load is too heavy, the motor may not be able to turn but still make noise. You can try a no-load test. If the motor can run normally under no load, the motor is overloaded and you can reduce the load for use.

Check the frequency of the input pulse

The input pulse frequency of the stepper motor should not be too high, too high will lead to motor blocking, only ringing but not rotating.

Conclusion

If your stepper motor appears to be only ringing but not spinning, you can follow the above methods to troubleshoot. If you have any uncertainty in the sub-process, please seek professional help.