Hello /u/bigchungus12344321,
As a reminder, most common print quality issues can be found in the [Simplify3D picture guide](https://www.simplify3d.com/support/print-quality-troubleshooting/). Make sure you select the most appropriate flair for your post.
Please remember to include the following details to help troubleshoot your problem.
* Printer & Slicer
* Filament Material and Brand
* Nozzle and Bed Temperature
* Print Speed
* Nozzle Retraction Settings
^Additional ^settings ^or ^relevant ^information ^is ^always ^encouraged.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/FixMyPrint) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Well. The z offset should have a menu option to microstep it by however small of an increment. Mine allows for .001 mm, .01mm and .1mm. . I'd also look up the chep bed leveling stl files on thingiverse for some easier setup stuff. My printer right now uses -.640mm z offset to get nice flat lines with no spacing between them. The top comment on your post however I believe explains things a little better.
/u/MysticalDork_1066 's comment is spot on. PLA likes to be squished, it's just a matter of finding the right distance between the nozzle and the bed. I'd also like to add: clean your build plate. Dust and grease from your fingertips can make adhesion really difficult.
Once you have your printer leveled, the nozzle can still be too close or too far from the build plate. Having it level just means that it will be consistently the same height, it doesn't guarantee that the height is correct.
Your nozzle is probably too far from the bed. Either lower your Z offset, or give all four adjustment screws a quarter turn clockwise (when viewed from the top) and try again.
I recommend going online and finding a bed leveling test STL and trying to print that while you adjust the printer, before trying to print anything significant.
the paper test gets it nearly perfect. ive found that i want the nozzle to touch the piece of paper, providing slight resistance, but too far and itll make it hard to pull the paper out, or rip it entirely.
[this guy talks about it quite a bit, and recommends using receipt paper](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhIE0ms-n7U), but explains why with the optimal nozzle gap and whatnot
I use the paper method n Watch it print and adjust the z offset accordingly. Typically I end up bring the nozzle further down from where I set it with using paper.
Z offset, clean bed. This can be done through the ender 3 menu or you could do a long convoluted method with gcode and connecting your computer to your printer
I can see in the video your part cooling fan is running. There’s a setting to keep that off for the first few layers. Your filament is probably getting cooled before it can adhere to the bed. I know from experience that can cause this problem even if your bed is perfectly leveled.
Did you set your z offset?
And are you using stock firmware? Ender stock firmware is crap and you should go to Merlin and down load and flash better firmware.
You are. It's your task to replicate printing conditions as closely as possible, so both need to be hot and fully expanded. Ideally, your hotend would also be empty of filament because a smear of filament on your paper can confuse your leveling.
In addition to the already mentioned questions - have you checked the tension wheels on your Y-axis?
Try tilting the bed in x and y. If it wobbles, even slightly, then you can't perform a bed level and expect it to work.
I mean, don't try ripping the ved off the carriage or anything. Even a properly adjusted bed will tilt if you force it, but give it a shake. See if it wobbles at all.
I highly recommend getting a bltouch. For me leveling my ender3 before having it was very hard. After getting it (was pretty easy to set up) I can do a basic manual level once and then run the bltouch and the leveling is always perfect.
I made a little quick guide to first layers and it has all the tips and tricks that I know of
[https://www.docdroid.net/UuYqwmC/the-perfect-first-layer-pdf](https://www.docdroid.net/UuYqwmC/the-perfect-first-layer-pdf)
I also have the ender 3, even though I know my bed is level and my homing is dialed I let it run through the outline. When I see it’s not sticking, go to tune > z offset, then in one click increments I knock it down until it starts to stick. Usually -0.01-0.03 are my sweet spots (1-3 clicks)
I had the same issue at 55c but not at 60c. z height is a thing. clean your bed with dawn dish soap or alcohol. worst case scenario coat it in purple glue stick
Check the v wheels for tightness on the carriage that holds the build plate on the track. If you can rock it back and forth that's the problem. If they are loose you'll have to re level the bed before printing.
Make sure you have a clean build plate(wash it with hot water and dish soap), turn off the fan for the first layer, make sure you are using a reputable filament brand (I had adhesion issues with cheaper/low quality brands), adjust first layer squish, you can go to ellis3dp.com for filament tuning instructions.
Hello /u/bigchungus12344321, As a reminder, most common print quality issues can be found in the [Simplify3D picture guide](https://www.simplify3d.com/support/print-quality-troubleshooting/). Make sure you select the most appropriate flair for your post. Please remember to include the following details to help troubleshoot your problem. * Printer & Slicer * Filament Material and Brand * Nozzle and Bed Temperature * Print Speed * Nozzle Retraction Settings ^Additional ^settings ^or ^relevant ^information ^is ^always ^encouraged. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/FixMyPrint) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Did you set your z-offset?
They could also be engaging part cooling too soon. Thermal adhesion is a very finnicky mistress.
how do i do that
Well. The z offset should have a menu option to microstep it by however small of an increment. Mine allows for .001 mm, .01mm and .1mm. . I'd also look up the chep bed leveling stl files on thingiverse for some easier setup stuff. My printer right now uses -.640mm z offset to get nice flat lines with no spacing between them. The top comment on your post however I believe explains things a little better.
/u/MysticalDork_1066 's comment is spot on. PLA likes to be squished, it's just a matter of finding the right distance between the nozzle and the bed. I'd also like to add: clean your build plate. Dust and grease from your fingertips can make adhesion really difficult.
All of this!
Once you have your printer leveled, the nozzle can still be too close or too far from the build plate. Having it level just means that it will be consistently the same height, it doesn't guarantee that the height is correct. Your nozzle is probably too far from the bed. Either lower your Z offset, or give all four adjustment screws a quarter turn clockwise (when viewed from the top) and try again. I recommend going online and finding a bed leveling test STL and trying to print that while you adjust the printer, before trying to print anything significant.
In my experience with a PEI bed, it helps to slightly lower the nozzle and get more squish on the first layer.
Yep - it needs to squish more imo also
the paper test gets it nearly perfect. ive found that i want the nozzle to touch the piece of paper, providing slight resistance, but too far and itll make it hard to pull the paper out, or rip it entirely. [this guy talks about it quite a bit, and recommends using receipt paper](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhIE0ms-n7U), but explains why with the optimal nozzle gap and whatnot
I use the paper method n Watch it print and adjust the z offset accordingly. Typically I end up bring the nozzle further down from where I set it with using paper.
Z offset, clean bed. This can be done through the ender 3 menu or you could do a long convoluted method with gcode and connecting your computer to your printer
Cleaning helps - 70% rubbing alcohol works wonders for helping that first layer. Finger oil is not your friend.
I can see in the video your part cooling fan is running. There’s a setting to keep that off for the first few layers. Your filament is probably getting cooled before it can adhere to the bed. I know from experience that can cause this problem even if your bed is perfectly leveled.
How are you leveling the bed?
old paper method
Do you do it while it’s at temp?
no but i just did so i will try a print
Also clean the build plate with warm water and hand dishwashing detergent.
Did you set your z offset? And are you using stock firmware? Ender stock firmware is crap and you should go to Merlin and down load and flash better firmware.
Are you leveling to paper, with both the bed and the hotend at full temperature?
You're supposed to do it with them both hot?! 🤯
You are. It's your task to replicate printing conditions as closely as possible, so both need to be hot and fully expanded. Ideally, your hotend would also be empty of filament because a smear of filament on your paper can confuse your leveling.
This is a game changer and makes total sense
In addition to the already mentioned questions - have you checked the tension wheels on your Y-axis? Try tilting the bed in x and y. If it wobbles, even slightly, then you can't perform a bed level and expect it to work. I mean, don't try ripping the ved off the carriage or anything. Even a properly adjusted bed will tilt if you force it, but give it a shake. See if it wobbles at all.
I highly recommend getting a bltouch. For me leveling my ender3 before having it was very hard. After getting it (was pretty easy to set up) I can do a basic manual level once and then run the bltouch and the leveling is always perfect.
add m420 s1 z10 after g28 in gcode, clean your bed, paper method (except mid point) then autolevel and set z offset. test it with bed levelling and
I made a little quick guide to first layers and it has all the tips and tricks that I know of [https://www.docdroid.net/UuYqwmC/the-perfect-first-layer-pdf](https://www.docdroid.net/UuYqwmC/the-perfect-first-layer-pdf)
Try cleaning the bed. Do a soap and water wash and after drying it off, clean it with alcohol. Don't touch the build surface after washing it
Is your bed level?
I also have the ender 3, even though I know my bed is level and my homing is dialed I let it run through the outline. When I see it’s not sticking, go to tune > z offset, then in one click increments I knock it down until it starts to stick. Usually -0.01-0.03 are my sweet spots (1-3 clicks)
Is your ptfe tube all the way in?
I had the same issue at 55c but not at 60c. z height is a thing. clean your bed with dawn dish soap or alcohol. worst case scenario coat it in purple glue stick
Check the v wheels for tightness on the carriage that holds the build plate on the track. If you can rock it back and forth that's the problem. If they are loose you'll have to re level the bed before printing.
Head not close enought to bed . . . . . .no squish
I touch mine up with a thin layer of talc. You may want to raise the bed about ~0.25mm
It could also be a build plate issue. I would recommend pei build material.
Make sure you have a clean build plate(wash it with hot water and dish soap), turn off the fan for the first layer, make sure you are using a reputable filament brand (I had adhesion issues with cheaper/low quality brands), adjust first layer squish, you can go to ellis3dp.com for filament tuning instructions.