Troubleshooting
3D Printing
Troubleshooting
Fix common 3D printing problems quickly and effectively. Get your prints right the first time with our comprehensive troubleshooting guide.
Systematic Troubleshooting Process
Follow this step-by-step process to identify and fix 3D printing problems.
1
Identify the Problem
Carefully observe the print and identify specific issues
Actions to Take:
- Take photos of the problem
- Note when the issue occurs
- Check print settings
- Compare with previous successful prints
1
Identify the Problem
2
Check Basic Settings
Verify fundamental print parameters
Actions to Take:
- Confirm bed temperature
- Check nozzle temperature
- Verify print speed
- Check layer height
2
Check Basic Settings
3
Inspect Hardware
Check mechanical components for issues
Actions to Take:
- Level the bed
- Check belt tension
- Clean the nozzle
- Verify filament path
3
Inspect Hardware
4
Adjust Settings
Make targeted adjustments based on the problem
Actions to Take:
- Modify temperature settings
- Adjust print speed
- Change retraction settings
- Update support settings
4
Adjust Settings
5
Test and Iterate
Test the changes and refine as needed
Actions to Take:
- Print a test piece
- Compare results
- Make further adjustments
- Document successful settings
5
Test and Iterate
Common Problems & Solutions
Quick reference guide for the most common 3D printing issues.
🌊
Warping
HighCorners of the print lift up from the build plate
Causes:
- Uneven cooling of the print
- Bed temperature too low
- Draft or temperature fluctuations
- Poor bed adhesion
Solutions:
- Increase bed temperature by 5-10°C
- Use a heated enclosure or draft shield
- Improve bed adhesion with glue stick or hairspray
- Use a brim or raft for better adhesion
- Ensure bed is level and clean
Prevention:
- Use appropriate bed temperature for material
- Maintain consistent ambient temperature
- Use proper bed surface for material type
- Consider using an enclosure
🌊
Warping
🕸️
Stringing
MediumThin strands of plastic between printed parts
Causes:
- Retraction settings too low
- Print temperature too high
- Travel speed too slow
- Moisture in filament
Solutions:
- Increase retraction distance (2-5mm)
- Increase retraction speed (25-45mm/s)
- Lower print temperature by 5-10°C
- Increase travel speed
- Dry filament if moist
Prevention:
- Store filament in dry conditions
- Use appropriate retraction settings
- Optimize print temperature
- Use coasting settings in slicer
🕸️
Stringing
📐
Layer Shifting
HighLayers are misaligned or shifted horizontally
Causes:
- Loose belts or pulleys
- Overheating stepper drivers
- Print speed too high
- Mechanical obstruction
Solutions:
- Tighten belts and check pulley alignment
- Reduce print speed by 20-30%
- Check for mechanical obstructions
- Ensure adequate cooling for electronics
- Check motor current settings
Prevention:
- Regular maintenance of mechanical parts
- Monitor print speed settings
- Ensure proper cooling
- Check belt tension regularly
📐
Layer Shifting
📌
Poor Bed Adhesion
HighPrint doesn't stick to the build plate
Causes:
- Bed not level
- Bed temperature too low
- Dirty or contaminated bed surface
- First layer height too high
- Print speed too fast for first layer
Solutions:
- Level the bed properly
- Increase bed temperature
- Clean bed surface with isopropyl alcohol
- Lower first layer height (0.2-0.3mm)
- Reduce first layer speed to 50%
- Use adhesion aids (glue stick, hairspray)
Prevention:
- Regular bed leveling
- Keep bed surface clean
- Use appropriate bed temperature
- Optimize first layer settings
📌
Poor Bed Adhesion
📉
Overhangs Sagging
MediumOverhanging parts droop or fail to print properly
Causes:
- Overhang angle too steep
- Insufficient cooling
- Print temperature too high
- Print speed too slow
Solutions:
- Add support structures
- Improve part cooling with fans
- Reduce print temperature
- Increase print speed for overhangs
- Redesign part to reduce overhang angle
Prevention:
- Design with 45° or less overhang angles
- Ensure adequate cooling
- Use appropriate print settings
- Consider print orientation
📉
Overhangs Sagging
🔧
Under-Extrusion
HighNot enough plastic is being extruded
Causes:
- Clogged nozzle
- Filament diameter incorrect
- Extruder temperature too low
- Extruder steps/mm incorrect
- Filament feed issues
Solutions:
- Clean or replace nozzle
- Check filament diameter settings
- Increase extruder temperature
- Calibrate extruder steps/mm
- Check filament path for obstructions
- Increase flow rate in slicer
Prevention:
- Regular nozzle maintenance
- Use quality filament
- Monitor extruder temperature
- Check filament path regularly
🔧
Under-Extrusion
📈
Over-Extrusion
MediumToo much plastic is being extruded
Causes:
- Flow rate too high
- Extruder steps/mm incorrect
- Nozzle diameter setting wrong
- Layer height too small
Solutions:
- Reduce flow rate in slicer
- Calibrate extruder steps/mm
- Check nozzle diameter setting
- Increase layer height
- Check filament diameter
Prevention:
- Proper extruder calibration
- Accurate slicer settings
- Regular maintenance
- Use consistent filament brands
📈
Over-Extrusion
🌉
Bridging Issues
MediumBridges between support points sag or fail
Causes:
- Bridge too long
- Insufficient cooling
- Print speed too slow
- Temperature too high
Solutions:
- Add support structures
- Improve cooling for bridges
- Increase bridge print speed
- Reduce temperature for bridges
- Redesign to shorten bridges
Prevention:
- Design shorter bridges
- Ensure adequate cooling
- Optimize bridge settings
- Consider alternative designs
🌉
Bridging Issues
Quick Reference
Common settings and adjustments for different problems.
W
Warping
- Bed temp: +5-10°C
- Enclosure: Yes
- Brim: 5-10mm
- Cooling: Gradual
S
Stringing
- Retraction: 2-5mm
- Retraction speed: 25-45mm/s
- Temperature: -5-10°C
- Travel speed: +20mm/s
L
Layer Shifting
- Print speed: -20-30%
- Belts: Tighten
- Cooling: Check
- Obstructions: Remove
B
Bed Adhesion
- Bed temp: +5-10°C
- First layer: 0.2-0.3mm
- Speed: 50% first layer
- Adhesion: Glue stick
O
Overhangs
- Supports: Yes
- Cooling: 100%
- Speed: +20mm/s
- Temperature: -5°C
U
Under-Extrusion
- Temperature: +5-10°C
- Flow rate: +5-10%
- Nozzle: Clean
- Filament: Check
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