Lighting
Pangolin FB4 troubleshooting
The Pangolin FB4 problems live-event techs bring to Ask Roadie most (also called FB4 laser controller, FB4 MAX, FB4 SE, FB4 Standard). Pick your symptom, or describe your own in plain words, and get the likeliest fix first, with the manual page when there is one.
Common FB4 errors & problems
What techs run into most, and what's usually behind it. The step-by-step fix for your exact unit is in Ask Roadie.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
beams don't show / static beams blanked on FB4
Likely cause: Scan Guard is a safety system that blanks slow/static beams to prevent hazardous exposure.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
console can't control FB4 over XLR DMX
Likely cause: Standalone DMX control triggers SD-card content through one of two fixed fixture profiles; profile mismatch or no daughterboard means nothing responds.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
FB4 autoplay schedule plays at wrong time / multi-laser show not in sync
Likely cause: Without the battery the clock resets on power loss; slaves only follow a master they can see on the network.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
FB4 output stutters over the network from BEYOND
Likely cause: Late or lost frames on a congested network leave the FB4 with nothing to scan; rescan bridges short gaps.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
FB4 settings reset / changed after swapping SD card or power cycle
Likely cause: Storage is on removable media, so the card in the slot defines the configuration.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
FB4 won't power on inside projector (OEM build)
Likely cause: Wrong connector or a dead/low DC rail is the usual cause in OEM installs.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
no ILDA out from FB4 ILDA board in BEYOND/QS mode
Likely cause: The daughterboard only passes an external ILDA input through FB4 processing.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
QuickShow / BEYOND can't find the FB4
Likely cause: Software discovery only runs in BEYOND/QS mode and needs both ends on the same IP subnet; the LED tells you which step is failing.
Not on the list? Describe it your way, or paste the error code off the display. Ask Roadie works the problem with you until it's fixed or you have a clear next move.
How Ask Roadie helps with the FB4
- 1. Pick the Pangolin FB4. It's already in the list.
- 2. Describe what you're seeing. In your own words, or the error code off the screen.
- 3. Get the likeliest fix first. Steps in order, the manual page when there is one, and a note when other techs have confirmed it.
- 4. Still broken? Tap 👎 and it keeps going from where you left off.