Troubleshooting
Printing defects and their fixes, grouped by problem area.
All troubleshooting guides
40 pages- Stringing: why your prints grow hairs, and how to stop itTroubleshooting
- PETG stringing: why PETG webs between moves and how to clear itTroubleshooting
- PETG not sticking to the bed: why the first layer lifts and how to fix itTroubleshooting
- PLA warping: why PLA corners lift and how to hold them downTroubleshooting
- PETG first layer problems: dragging, gaps, and over-bonding, fixedTroubleshooting
- PETG under-extrusion: why PETG walls go thin and how to fill themTroubleshooting
- PLA not sticking to the bed: why the first layer lifts and how to fix itTroubleshooting
- PETG blobs on the nozzle: why a ball builds up and how to stop itTroubleshooting
- PLA under-extrusion: why PLA walls go thin and how to fill themTroubleshooting
- PETG popping and bubbles: why wet PETG foams and how to dry itTroubleshooting
- PETG layer separation: why PETG layers split and how to bond themTroubleshooting
- PETG warping: why PETG corners lift and how to hold them downTroubleshooting
- PLA bed adhesion: why the first layer lifts and how to make it stickTroubleshooting
- PLA first layer adhesion: fix a patchy, dragged, or rippled first layerTroubleshooting
- Heat creep with PLA: why PLA jams high in the hot end and how to stop itTroubleshooting
- PLA stringing: why PLA grows hairs and how to clear themTroubleshooting
- Clogged nozzle on a 3D printer: causes and how to clear itTroubleshooting
- Extruder clicking: what the sound means and how to fix itTroubleshooting
- Over-extrusion on a 3D print: why tops bulge and how to reduce the flowTroubleshooting
- How to fix under-extrusion: fill thin walls and close top gapsTroubleshooting
- Blobs and zits on a 3D print: causes and how to clear themTroubleshooting
- Clogged nozzle: how to spot the blockage and clear itTroubleshooting
- Extruder skipping: why the gear jumps and how to steady the feedTroubleshooting
- Layer separation in 3D printing: why layers split and how to bond themTroubleshooting
- Nozzle oozing: why filament drips from the nozzle and how to stop itTroubleshooting
- Over-extrusion in 3D printing: too much filament and how to reduce the flowTroubleshooting
- Under-extrusion in 3D printing: thin walls, gaps, and how to fix themTroubleshooting
- Ender 3 layer shifting: why layers go out of line and how to fix itTroubleshooting
- Layer shifting on a 3D print: why layers misalign and how to hold themTroubleshooting
- Bridging in 3D printing: how to print across a gap without saggingTroubleshooting
- Ghosting and ringing on a 3D print: what causes the echo and how to stop itTroubleshooting
- Ghosting on a 3D print: how to quiet the ripple after cornersTroubleshooting
- Layer shift in 3D printing: why layers print out of line and how to fix itTroubleshooting
- Overhangs in 3D printing: how to print past 45 degrees without saggingTroubleshooting
- Rough top layer: why the top surface scars and how to smooth itTroubleshooting
Most-read troubleshooting guides
Stringing: why your prints grow hairs, and how to stop it
What causes 3D print stringing, ranked by likelihood, with the retraction, temperature, and drying fixes that clear it up.
PETG stringing: why PETG webs between moves and how to clear it
PETG strings from wet filament, low retraction, and a hot nozzle. Ranked causes, the quick fixes, and what not to do, with sourced PETG numbers.
PETG not sticking to the bed: why the first layer lifts and how to fix it
PETG will not stick when the bed is too cold, unlevel, or the Z-offset is off. Ranked causes, the quick fixes, and what not to do.
PLA warping: why PLA corners lift and how to hold them down
PLA warps least, so when corners lift it is a cold or dirty bed or a draft. Ranked causes, the quick fixes, and what not to do, with PLA bed temp.
Clogged nozzle on a 3D printer: causes and how to clear it
A clogged nozzle stops flow and causes under-extrusion. Ranked causes, the cold-pull fix, deeper fixes, and what not to do.
Extruder clicking: what the sound means and how to fix it
Extruder clicking means the stepper is skipping under load. Ranked causes, quick and deeper fixes, what not to do, and when to dry filament.