3D Printing Troubleshooting Guide
3D Printing Troubleshooting Guide
Common problems and their solutions
🧵 Stringing / Oozing
Symptoms: Thin strings of plastic between separate parts of your print
Solutions (in order of effectiveness):
1. Increase Retraction Distance: Add 0.5-1.0mm to current retraction distance
2. Increase Retraction Speed: Set to 40-50 mm/s (faster retraction)
3. Reduce Print Temperature: Lower by 5-10°C (less oozing when idle)
4. Increase Travel Speed: Faster travel = less time for oozing
5. Enable “Wipe While Retracting”: Cleans nozzle before travel moves
6. Enable “Coasting” (Cura): Stops extruding slightly before end of line
7. Use “Z-Hop”: Lifts nozzle during travel (use sparingly, can cause other issues)
8. Check Filament Quality: Moist filament causes more stringing – dry if needed
💡 Pro Tip: Print a retraction test tower to systematically find optimal retraction settings. Test one variable at a time.
📌 Lack of Adhesion (First Layer Issues)
Symptoms: Print doesn’t stick to bed, corners lifting, warping
Solutions:
1. Clean Build Plate: Use isopropyl alcohol (90%+) to remove oils and debris
2. Adjust Z-Offset: Nozzle too far from bed – decrease Z-offset (move closer)
3. Level Bed Properly: Re-level bed at printing temperature
4. Increase Bed Temperature: Raise by 5-10°C (60°C for PLA, 80°C for PETG)
5. Reduce First Layer Speed: Print first layer at 20-30 mm/s
6. Increase First Layer Temperature: Print first layer 5-10°C hotter
7. Use Adhesion Aids:
- Hairspray (aqua net or similar)
- Glue stick (PVA-based)
- PEI sheet (best long-term solution)
- Blue painter’s tape (for some materials)
8. Use Brim or Raft: Increases contact area with bed
- Brim: 5-10mm width for small parts
- Raft: For very difficult prints
9. Check Bed Surface: Some materials need specific surfaces (PEI for PETG, glass for PLA)
10. Avoid Drafts: Close enclosure doors, avoid fans/AC blowing on printer
⚠️ Note: If using glue stick or hairspray, clean bed regularly as buildup can cause issues. PEI sheets are the best long-term solution.
🏗️ Support Issues
Symptoms: Supports too difficult to remove, supports fusing to model, poor support quality
Solutions:
1. Increase Support Z-Distance: Increase top distance to 0.3mm (1-2 layers)
2. Use Tree/Organic Supports: Much easier to remove than traditional supports
3. Reduce Support Density: Lower to 10-15% (enough support, easier removal)
4. Enable Support Interface: Creates separation layer between support and model
5. Adjust Support Overhang Angle: Only support angles >45-50 degrees
6. Use Breakaway Supports: Some slicers support this (e.g., PrusaSlicer)
7. Let Print Cool: Wait for print to cool completely before removing supports
8. Use Support Removal Tools:
- Flush cutters for initial removal
- Tweezers for small remnants
- Needle-nose pliers for stubborn supports
9. Consider Orientation: Rotate model to minimize support needs
10. Use PVA Supports (Dual Extrusion): Dissolves in water (if available)
💡 Pro Tip: Tree supports use less material and are much easier to remove. Always prefer them over traditional grid supports when your slicer supports them.
📏 Layer Shifting
Symptoms: Layers misaligned, print shifted to one side
Solutions:
1. Check Belt Tension: Belts should be tight but not overly tight
2. Reduce Print Speed: Too fast can cause missed steps, especially on tall prints
3. Check for Obstructions: Ensure nothing is blocking X/Y axis movement
4. Stabilize Printer: Place on solid, level surface (avoid wobbly tables)
5. Check Stepper Motor Current: Too low = missed steps, too high = overheating
6. Reduce Acceleration: Lower acceleration/jerk settings in firmware
7. Check Pulleys: Ensure set screws on pulleys are tight
8. Inspect Rails/Wheels: Clean and lubricate if needed, check for flat spots
⚠️ Warning: If layer shifting happens at the same height every time, check for a mechanical obstruction at that height (cable, bracket, etc.).
🚫 Clogging / Under-Extrusion
Symptoms: Thin layers, gaps in print, filament not coming out
Solutions:
1. Perform Cold Pull: Heat to 230°C, push filament, cool to 90°C, pull out
2. Clean Nozzle: Use wire brush while hot, or replace nozzle if damaged
3. Check Filament Quality: Use high-quality, dry filament (moisture causes clogs)
4. Verify Temperature: Too low = clogging, too high = oozing
5. Check Extruder: Ensure extruder gear is gripping filament properly
6. Check for Kinks: Ensure filament path is clear, no sharp bends
7. Increase Flow Rate: If consistently under-extruding, increase flow to 105-110%
8. Check PTFE Tube (Bowden): Ensure tube is cut square and seated properly
9. Replace Nozzle: If damaged or worn (especially with abrasive materials)
10. Dry Filament: Use filament dryer or oven (low temp) to remove moisture
💡 Pro Tip: Keep a spare nozzle on hand. Nozzles are cheap and often the culprit. Also, use a filament dryer for materials like PETG, TPU, and PC that absorb moisture easily.
🌊 Warping
Symptoms: Corners lifting from bed, bottom layer curling
Solutions:
1. Use Enclosure: Keep ambient temperature stable (especially for ABS)
2. Increase Bed Temperature: Higher bed temp reduces warping
3. Use Brim: 5-10mm brim increases adhesion area
4. Avoid Drafts: Close enclosure, turn off fans/AC near printer
5. Use Raft: For severe warping issues (sacrifices bottom surface quality)
6. Reduce Bed Temperature Gradually: Don’t cool bed too quickly after print
7. Use Adhesion Aids: Hairspray, glue stick, or PEI sheet
8. Consider Material: PLA warps less than ABS – switch if possible
9. Add Mouse Ears: Small discs at corners to increase adhesion
10. Print Slower First Layer: Better adhesion = less warping
🐘 Elephant’s Foot
Symptoms: Bottom layers wider than rest of print, bulging at base
Solutions:
1. Increase Initial Layer Horizontal Expansion: Use negative value (-0.1 to -0.3mm)
2. Reduce Bed Temperature: Lower bed temp after first few layers
3. Increase Z-Offset: Slightly increase distance from bed
4. Reduce Flow Rate: Slightly reduce flow for first layer (95-98%)
5. Use Chamfer: Design model with slight chamfer at bottom
💧 Over-Extrusion
Symptoms: Blobs, zits, rough surfaces, dimensional inaccuracy
Solutions:
1. Reduce Flow Rate: Lower to 90-95% in slicer
2. Calibrate E-Steps: Ensure extruder is calibrated correctly
3. Reduce Temperature: Lower by 5-10°C (less material flow)
4. Check Nozzle Size: Ensure slicer nozzle size matches actual nozzle
5. Reduce Line Width: Slightly reduce if consistently over-extruding
📐 Dimensional Inaccuracy
Symptoms: Parts not matching expected dimensions
Solutions:
1. Calibrate E-Steps: Ensure correct extrusion amount
2. Calibrate Flow Rate: Use single-wall test to find correct flow
3. Check Belt Tension: Loose belts cause dimensional issues
4. Verify Steps/mm: Check X, Y, Z steps per mm in firmware
5. Account for Shrinkage: Some materials (ABS) shrink – scale model accordingly
6. Check Mechanical Play: Eliminate any play in axes
🔊 Noisy Printing
Symptoms: Loud stepper motors, vibrations, rattling
Solutions:
1. Enable Stepper Drivers: Use TMC drivers with StealthChop (silent mode)
2. Reduce Acceleration: Lower acceleration reduces noise
3. Dampen Vibrations: Place printer on foam pad or vibration dampers
4. Tighten Loose Parts: Check for rattling screws or brackets
5. Lubricate Moving Parts: Properly lubricated parts run quieter
💡 Pro Tip: Keep a troubleshooting log! Document what problems you encounter and what solutions worked. This helps you quickly resolve recurring issues and improves your printing skills over time.