Aurora: How to Bypass the Safety Interlock for Oversized Object Engraving (and Fix the Door Protection Error)
How to bypass the Aurora's door safety circuit—via software or magnets—to engrave objects larger than the work area.
Quick answer: To engrave an object that holds the lid open, bypass the door circuit either in LightBurn's Device Settings (set Door Protect to None) or physically by placing magnets on the door sensors. Restore the original setting when finished.
Applies to: Aurora laser engravers | You'll need: LightBurn software (software bypass) or 2 magnets (hardware bypass)
⚠ Safety warning — read before proceeding. Bypassing the door interlock is entirely your responsibility. Thunder Laser USA assumes no responsibility for any damage, harm, or injury that may result. When the interlock is bypassed the machine operates as a Class IV laser device, with direct exposure to a Class IV source possible. You must:
- Wear proper PPE, including appropriate laser safety glasses.
- Inform everyone in the immediate area before operating.
- Take all precautions to protect yourself and others from injury.
- Improve fume extraction — exhaust effectiveness is reduced with the door open. Take precautions to extract fumes output by the laser.
When the Aurora's door is open (or held open by an oversized workpiece) and the IO settings are properly configured in an actively connected computer, attempting to run a job produces this error message:
Two options exist to bypass the door safety circuit: a software bypass in LightBurn, or a hardware bypass using magnets on the door sensors. Choose whichever is more convenient.
- Open Device Settings. Depending on your version of LightBurn, this may be located under the Laser Tools tab, the Edit tab, or by clicking the wrench/screwdriver icon (
). Refer to LightBurn's own knowledge base if you cannot locate the setting. - Navigate to the Ports and IO section and find the Door Protect entry.
- Change the setting as shown below:
Normal Operating Bypassed 
Door Protect set to Port 15 with Low Level
Door Protect set to None - Run your oversized project.
- When finished, restore Door Protect to Port 15 / Low Level before returning to normal operation.
- Obtain 2 magnets, or remove the two sensor magnets from the lid.
- Place the magnets on the door sensors in the locations shown:
- Run your oversized project.
- Remove the magnets when finished to restore normal door protection.
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