Troubleshooting Guide

Common 3D printing issues and their solutions. Follow our step-by-step troubleshooting guide to resolve problems quickly.

Print Quality Issues

Layer Lines Visible

Medium Priority

Symptoms

  • Visible horizontal lines
  • Rough surface finish
  • Inconsistent layer height

Common Causes

  • Incorrect layer height settings
  • Printer calibration issues
  • Worn or loose belts
  • Inconsistent extrusion

Solutions

  • Reduce layer height to 0.1-0.2mm
  • Check and tighten belts
  • Calibrate printer bed leveling
  • Check extruder tension

Stringing and Oozing

Low Priority

Symptoms

  • Thin strings between parts
  • Droplets on print
  • Messy appearance

Common Causes

  • Temperature too high
  • Retraction settings incorrect
  • Moisture in filament
  • Print speed too slow

Solutions

  • Lower printing temperature by 5-10°C
  • Increase retraction distance
  • Dry filament before printing
  • Increase print speed

Warping and Lifting

High Priority

Symptoms

  • Corners lifting from bed
  • Bottom layer warping
  • Print failure

Common Causes

  • Bed temperature too low
  • Poor bed adhesion
  • Draft or temperature fluctuations
  • Incorrect first layer settings

Solutions

  • Increase bed temperature
  • Use adhesion aids (hairspray, glue stick)
  • Enclose printer or block drafts
  • Adjust first layer height and speed

Mechanical Issues

Layer Shifting

High Priority

Symptoms

  • Layers offset from each other
  • Stepped appearance
  • Print failure

Common Causes

  • Loose belts or pulleys
  • Obstructed movement
  • Overheating stepper drivers
  • Insufficient power supply

Solutions

  • Tighten all belts and check pulleys
  • Clear any obstructions
  • Check stepper driver cooling
  • Verify power supply capacity

Extrusion Problems

Medium Priority

Symptoms

  • Under-extrusion
  • Over-extrusion
  • Inconsistent flow

Common Causes

  • Clogged nozzle
  • Worn extruder gear
  • Incorrect temperature
  • Filament diameter variation

Solutions

  • Clean or replace nozzle
  • Check extruder gear condition
  • Calibrate temperature settings
  • Measure and adjust filament diameter

Software Issues

Slicing Errors

Medium Priority

Symptoms

  • Gaps in print
  • Missing layers
  • Incorrect geometry

Common Causes

  • Non-manifold geometry
  • Incorrect slice settings
  • File corruption
  • Incompatible file format

Solutions

  • Repair mesh in CAD software
  • Check slice settings
  • Re-export model file
  • Use supported file formats

Print Stops Midway

High Priority

Symptoms

  • Print pauses unexpectedly
  • Error messages
  • Incomplete prints

Common Causes

  • SD card issues
  • Power supply problems
  • Thermal runaway protection
  • Firmware bugs

Solutions

  • Check SD card for errors
  • Verify power connections
  • Check thermistor connections
  • Update firmware

Diagnostic Process

1

Identify the Problem

Observe symptoms and note when they occur

  • Check print quality visually
  • Note any error messages
  • Record temperature readings
  • Check for mechanical issues
2

Check Basic Settings

Verify fundamental printer settings

  • Bed leveling and temperature
  • Extruder temperature
  • Print speed and layer height
  • Filament type and diameter
3

Test and Isolate

Test individual components to isolate the issue

  • Print simple test objects
  • Check individual axes movement
  • Test extrusion manually
  • Verify electrical connections
4

Apply Solutions

Implement fixes based on diagnosis

  • Adjust settings incrementally
  • Replace worn components
  • Clean and lubricate parts
  • Update firmware if needed

Prevention is Better Than Cure

Regular Maintenance

  • Clean print bed after each print
  • Lubricate moving parts monthly
  • Check belt tension regularly
  • Clean extruder and nozzle

Proper Storage

  • Store filament in dry containers
  • Use desiccant packs
  • Avoid direct sunlight
  • Keep at room temperature

Quality Control

  • Check first layer adhesion
  • Monitor print progress
  • Use quality filament
  • Calibrate regularly

Quick Reference

Temperature Ranges

PLA:190-220°C
ABS:220-250°C
PETG:230-250°C
TPU:220-240°C

Common Settings

Layer Height:0.1-0.3mm
Print Speed:50-80mm/s
Retraction:2-5mm
Bed Temp:50-80°C

Still Having Issues?

Our technical team can help diagnose and resolve complex printing problems.

Call for Technical SupportEmail Technical Questions