reMarkable 2 · Troubleshooting
The reMarkable Marker isn't writing or is lagging on the reMarkable 2
The Marker makes no mark, skips, lags behind your hand, or the eraser and shortcut button do nothing. Most cases are a worn tip, a software hang, or a setting.
Symptoms
- The Marker makes no mark on the screen at all.
- Lines skip, break up, or only register when you press hard.
- The ink appears a moment behind the Marker tip.
- The Marker Plus eraser or the barrel shortcut button does nothing.
Before you start
- Check whether you have spare tips and the puller tool that came with the Marker.
- Confirm the Marker is a reMarkable 2 generation pen — the Paper Pro's newer Markers do not work on the reMarkable 2.
- None of these steps affect your notebooks or documents.
Which fix do you need?
What is the Marker doing?
- No mark anywhere, or the device does not react to the Marker Restart, then re-touch the pen to the screen
- It skips, breaks up, or needs hard pressure The tip is worn — replace it
- The ink lags behind the tip Restart and reduce what is running
- The eraser or shortcut button does not work Check the Marker Plus settings and firmware
Most common cause
The most common cause of skipping or "press hard to write" is a worn Marker tip — tips are a wear part and last a few weeks to a few months. The most common cause of no marks at all, or lag, is a software hang that a restart clears. The eraser and shortcut button not working is usually a Marker Plus settings issue.
Fixes
Fix 1 Restart the reMarkable 2 and re-pair the Marker
A Marker that suddenly makes no marks, or writes with lag, is almost always a software hang rather than a hardware fault. A restart clears it, and touching the Marker to the screen re-establishes tracking.
- Restart the device from Settings, then "General", then "Power", then "Restart". If the screen is unresponsive, hold the power button for about 10 seconds.
- After it boots, open a new notebook and touch the Marker to the centre of the screen. Try writing there first.
- If the centre works but the edges do not, the problem is likely the tip (Fix 2), not the software.
- Confirm the Marker is a reMarkable 2 generation pen. The Paper Pro, Paper Pro Move and Paper Pure Markers use different technology and will not work here.
Fix 2 Replace the Marker tip
Marker tips wear down with use. As a tip flattens it stops making reliable contact, which shows as skipping, broken lines, or needing to bear down. A fresh tip usually fixes it completely.
- Use the small tip-puller tool (a metal ring or tweezers) to grip the tip and pull it straight out with a firm, even pull.
- Push a new tip straight in until it seats. It should sit flush and not wobble.
- Test on a notebook page. Writing should feel light again and lines should be unbroken.
- Order more tips when you are down to your last one. The reMarkable 2's Marker and Marker Plus use the same tips as each other, but not the same as the newer Paper Pro generation — check the pack lists the reMarkable 2.
Fix 3 Fix the Marker Plus eraser or shortcut button
The eraser end and the barrel button are only on the Marker Plus, and both are controlled in settings. If they stopped working, it is usually a setting or a firmware bug, not the pen.
- Confirm you have the Marker Plus — it has a flat eraser end and a small button on the barrel. The plain Marker has neither.
- Open Settings, then "Stylus" (or "Marker"), and check the shortcut button is assigned to an action such as "Erase" and is not set to "Off".
- Make sure the device firmware is current, from Settings, then "General", then "Software" — unless you are deliberately holding an older firmware for community software.
- Restart the device. If the eraser still does nothing, contact reMarkable — a Marker Plus with a dead eraser is usually replaced under warranty if it is still in the warranty period.
Undo / recovery
None of these steps touch your content. If a restart or a tip change does not help and the Marker still will not write anywhere, the Marker or the digitiser may be faulty. A replacement reMarkable 2 Marker is inexpensive and widely available if the original is out of warranty.
Related guides
If the Marker skips or needs pressure, replace the tip first — it is the answer most of the time. If it makes no marks at all or lags, restart the reMarkable 2, and confirm the Marker is a reMarkable 2 generation pen, since the newer Paper Pro Markers do not work here.