Troubleshooting
First rule out two common causes: damp filament and an unsuitable nozzle temperature. Many problems disappear after drying or adjusting the temperature.
The following are general troubleshooting methods. To be corrected by GREENPOLYMER.
Stringing
Popping sounds while printing, small bubbles on the surface
First layer does not stick
Prints stick too firmly and are hard to remove
Warping, cracking
Layer splitting, low strength
Under-extrusion, gaps in the surface
Clogged nozzle
Filament becomes brittle and breaks easily
Large dimensional deviation
Stringing
- Common causes
Damp filament; temperature too high; not enough retraction
- What to do
Dry first; lower the nozzle temperature by 5–10 °C; increase retraction distance or speed somewhat
Popping sounds while printing, small bubbles on the surface
- Common causes
Damp filament
- What to do
Dry per the drying guide, then print
First layer does not stick
- Common causes
Dirty build plate; bed temperature too low; first layer too high
- What to do
Clean the build plate with alcohol; raise the bed temperature by 5 °C; re-level or recalibrate the Z offset
Prints stick too firmly and are hard to remove
- Common causes
PETG and TPU stick too firmly to smooth plates
- What to do
Switch to a textured plate, or apply glue to the build plate as a release layer
Warping, cracking
- Common causes
High material shrinkage; low ambient temperature; drafts
- What to do
Use an enclosed chamber for ABS, ASA, PC and PA; turn the fan off or down; add a brim
Layer splitting, low strength
- Common causes
Temperature too low; too much fan; speed too high
- What to do
Raise the nozzle temperature; reduce the fan; slow down
Under-extrusion, gaps in the surface
- Common causes
Partly clogged nozzle; temperature too low; tangled filament
- What to do
Clean the nozzle; raise the temperature; check the spool for knots
Clogged nozzle
- Common causes
Temperature too low; small nozzle used with particle-filled material; residue of another material
- What to do
Use the recommended temperature; use a nozzle of 0.4 mm or more for particle-filled materials; purge thoroughly with the new material when changing filament
Filament becomes brittle and breaks easily
- Common causes
PLA becomes brittle after absorbing moisture; long storage
- What to do
Dry it; store sealed after opening
Large dimensional deviation
- Common causes
Flow not calibrated; worn nozzle
- What to do
Calibrate flow; use a hardened steel nozzle for fiber-reinforced materials and check the nozzle regularly
Common problems
Stringing
- Common causes
Damp filament; temperature too high; not enough retraction
- What to do
Dry first; lower the nozzle temperature by 5–10 °C; increase retraction distance or speed somewhat
Popping sounds while printing, small bubbles on the surface
- Common causes
Damp filament
- What to do
Dry per the drying guide, then print
First layer does not stick
- Common causes
Dirty build plate; bed temperature too low; first layer too high
- What to do
Clean the build plate with alcohol; raise the bed temperature by 5 °C; re-level or recalibrate the Z offset
Prints stick too firmly and are hard to remove
- Common causes
PETG and TPU stick too firmly to smooth plates
- What to do
Switch to a textured plate, or apply glue to the build plate as a release layer
Warping, cracking
- Common causes
High material shrinkage; low ambient temperature; drafts
- What to do
Use an enclosed chamber for ABS, ASA, PC and PA; turn the fan off or down; add a brim
Layer splitting, low strength
- Common causes
Temperature too low; too much fan; speed too high
- What to do
Raise the nozzle temperature; reduce the fan; slow down
Under-extrusion, gaps in the surface
- Common causes
Partly clogged nozzle; temperature too low; tangled filament
- What to do
Clean the nozzle; raise the temperature; check the spool for knots
Clogged nozzle
- Common causes
Temperature too low; small nozzle used with particle-filled material; residue of another material
- What to do
Use the recommended temperature; use a nozzle of 0.4 mm or more for particle-filled materials; purge thoroughly with the new material when changing filament
Filament becomes brittle and breaks easily
- Common causes
PLA becomes brittle after absorbing moisture; long storage
- What to do
Dry it; store sealed after opening
Large dimensional deviation
- Common causes
Flow not calibrated; worn nozzle
- What to do
Calibrate flow; use a hardened steel nozzle for fiber-reinforced materials and check the nozzle regularly
Problems by material
PLA Silk
- Defect
Uneven gloss, streaks
- What to do
Slow down somewhat; raise the nozzle temperature by 5–10 °C; keep the print speed steady
PLA Matte
- Defect
Shiny spots on the surface
- What to do
The surface gets shinier when the temperature is too high; lower it by 5–10 °C
PLA Wood, Marble, Sparkle
- Defect
Clogging
- What to do
Use a nozzle of 0.4 mm or more, 0.6 mm for wood; do not leave the nozzle hot for long after printing
PLA Glow-in-the-Dark
- Defect
Worn nozzle, less extrusion
- What to do
Switch to a hardened steel nozzle
PLA Gradient
- Defect
Small parts show only one color
- What to do
The color changes along the filament length, and small parts use little material; this is normal
PLA Lightweight
- Defect
Weight or surface not as expected
- What to do
The higher the temperature, the more it foams. Print a temperature tower to find the right temperature, and lower the flow to match the foaming
PETG
- Defect
Heavy stringing, small black specks on the surface
- What to do
Dry it; lower the temperature; clean residue off the outside of the nozzle
TPU
- Defect
Filament buckles in the feed path, unstable extrusion
- What to do
Slow down; use a direct-drive extruder; shorten or turn off retraction; check the feed path for gaps
PA, PC
- Defect
Rough surface, bubbles, low strength
- What to do
Must be dried; feed from a dry box while printing
Carbon- and glass-fiber-reinforced materials
- Defect
Surface gets rougher, dimensions get smaller
- What to do
Check the nozzle for wear and switch to a hardened steel nozzle
PVA, BVOH
- Defect
Filament breaks in the feed path, or bubbles while printing
- What to do
Dry it; store sealed after opening; do not leave it exposed to air for long
Still not solved
Email hello@greenpolymer.com with the following:
- Model, color number and the batch number on the spool label.
- Printer model and nozzle type and diameter.
- Nozzle temperature, bed temperature, speed and fan settings.
- Photos of the problem print.
- When the pack was opened and how it was stored.
We will check the production and inspection records of that batch by its batch number.
Request a quote or sampleSelection and services
Contact us
Tell us about the part, material requirements, equipment and expected volume. We will recommend suitable grades and the validation data you need.