{"id":8697,"date":"2022-06-27T00:24:40","date_gmt":"2022-06-27T00:24:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/notsealed.com\/?p=8697"},"modified":"2022-09-15T07:00:12","modified_gmt":"2022-09-15T07:00:12","slug":"mega-3d-printing-problems-solutions-troubleshooting-guide-for-beginners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/notsealed.com\/mega-3d-printing-problems-solutions-troubleshooting-guide-for-beginners.html","title":{"rendered":"Mega 3d Printing Problems & Solutions. Quick Troubleshooting Guide for Beginners."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you just purchased a 3d printer and are having problems then you have come to the right place. Even if you have been using one for a while and your 3d prints are looking like a spider’s web then we have some solutions for your to try out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have been using a Creality Ender 3 and an Ender 5 pro for a few years now and they are fantastic 3d printers. But like all 3d printers, they do have issues from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, we will be covering all of the common 3d printing problems and solutions you may come up with. This 3d printing troubleshooting guide will apply to all printer brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 3d printer won’t turn on<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"The
Voltage switch on the back of my Creality Ender 5 pro.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Check the power cable into the 3d printer that is plugged in and turned on. Also, check the voltage selector switch at the back of the 3d printer that it is set to your country. 110v for the USA, 230v for Australia and UK. An incorrectly positioned voltage switch will cause your 3d printer to not turn on. Here are some other country-specific standard voltages.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure there are no short circuits in any of the power cables. Disconnect each drive motor and try turning the power on again to the printer to see if any of the drive motors are burned out. A high-power draw or short circuit will prevent a 3d printer from turning on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try loading the correct firmware onto the 3d printer just in case the original firmware is corrupt. Most 3d printer firmware can be saved into the root directory of the micro sd card and loaded up automatically when the printer is turned on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creality Ender 5 pro not turning on<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I had a not turning on issue when I first built my Ender 5 Pro. The problem was that the voltage selector switch at the back of the power supply was set to 110v rather than 230v. Please check this first before turning on the Ender 5 pro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the voltage switch is in the incorrect position you could do damage to the internal electronics and drive motors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ender 5 plus stuck on boot screen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Ender<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is a problem with corrupt, missing, or incorrect firmware. Please open up your printer motherboard to double-check the model number to make sure you have the correct firmware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You could always roll back the firmware driver by loading up an old firmware .bin file into a blank micro sd card. Turn on your Ender 5 to begin the reflashing procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ender 5 with Creality control board 4.2.7 not flashing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Use a formated FAT32 16GB or less micro SD card with only the Creality firmware loaded onto it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turn off the printer, unplug the power cable, insert MicroSD with only the Firmware bin on it, reconnect the power cable, and turn on the printer. The Ender 5 screen will stay black for a few minutes and then flash the settings to the motherboard automatically. You will just have to wait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often it is a problem with people using a large unformatted micro SD card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TMC Connection Error.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Basically, you will need to upgrade the firmware for your new 3d printer. Check the Creality Downloads page<\/a> for your 3d printer and then flash the newest firmware for your printer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hotbed table too high with no adjustment in the table springs.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You will need to adjust the Z home end stop. There is a limit switch that is adjustable, limiting your printer’s Z-axis travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I had to adjust my Z end stop screw a few turns to be able to get more adjustment and level my hot bed. Try to move the limit switch slightly to the left or right so that the striker hits the limit switch on one end not directly in the middle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3d print doesn’t stick to the print bed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"3d
Early days when my 3d print was not sticking to the print bed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The only way I could get my 3d prints to stick to the print bed was to wash the Ender flexible print bed cover with detergent and hot water. It was then fully dried and brought up to operating temperatures which is around 70 deg Celcius. Gluestick was then applied to the whole of the print bed both lengthways and widths way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes on small narrow 3d prints, I will use the brim function to help with warping and prints not sticking to the print bed. A brim width of around 5mm is a good starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other solutions you can look at are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Add Texture using sandpaper.<\/li>
  • Level the Print Bed.<\/li>
  • Adjust the Nozzle Height.<\/li>
  • Clean the Print Platform.<\/li>
  • Increase the filament and bed temperature.<\/li>
  • Apply Build Plate Adhesion such as glue stick.<\/li>
  • Add Supports or a brim.<\/li>
  • Turn eco mode off.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    3d Print Edges are Bending and warping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"3d
    Printing a slingshot with the Brim function enabled for 5mm.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    If your print edges are warping especially with ABS then print a 5mm brim and use gluestick on the heat bed. Other options may help such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    • Use a heated print platform bed.<\/li>
    • Add an adhesive such as a glue stick or hairspray to the print bed platform.<\/li>
    • Swap from glass to a textured print bed.<\/li>
    • Level the print bed.<\/li>
    • Add platforms, brims, or rafts.<\/li>
    • Adjust the temperature and fan settings of the nozzle.<\/li>
    • Turn Eco mode off.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Extrusion Stopped Mid-Print<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \"Extrusion<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      If your 3d print stopped mid-print then check the following issues:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      • Check you have enough filament and that the end of the filament limit switch is not activated.<\/li>
      • Check for stripped filament. Adjust tension.<\/li>
      • Make sure the nozzle temperature is set to the correct working temperature for the filament.<\/li>
      • Check for a clogged nozzle and clean.<\/li>
      • Check for snapped filament inside the Boden tube.<\/li>
      • Did the mains’ power turn off? or did someone pull out the power cord?<\/li>
      • Is the .gcode file correct and not corrupted?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        What Can Cause the Ender 5 to Have Stringing Issues?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
        \"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        Stinging issues can show up on some different types of filaments more than others. I tend to get a little bit more stringing with PETG than PLA. Try an increased retraction to pull more filament back into the nozzle. Other things to check are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        • Misconfigured retraction settings try more retraction such as 5mm or above. <\/li>
        • A retraction speed of 30-50mm\/s works well for me.<\/li>
        • Too high print temperature try 5 or 10 deg lower.<\/li>
        • Too low travel speed. Try speeding up your print speed to say 80mm\/s.<\/li>
        • Printing with a clogged nozzle. Clean it.<\/li>
        • Printing with a moist spool of filament. Dry your filament in the oven or a dry box.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Experiment with different settings faster, slower, minimum retraction to maximum retraction. Clean or replace the nozzle and dry your filament in the oven at 50 deg C for a few hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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