Method first
Faced with a print problem, the first instinct is to change several settings at once. That usually hides the problem rather than solving it. The faster route is this:
- 1
Observe
Where does it start? On the first layer, only on top surfaces, during travel moves? Every print, or only since a new spool?
- 2
Rule out the simple causes
Damp filament, a dirty bed and the wrong profile are the most common causes and the easiest to check.
- 3
One variable
Change one setting, print the same test model, compare.
- 4
Record
Note what you did and what you saw. These notes are very useful if you ask for support.
Stringing
Fine, cobweb-like threads of plastic between separate parts of the print.
Likely causes
- Damp filament
- Nozzle temperature too high
- Not enough retraction
- Slow travel moves
What to check, in order
- 1Dry the filament and reprint the same test. Particularly effective with PETG.
- 2Lower the temperature in small steps, within the recommended range.
- 3Try retraction distance and speed in small steps.
- 4Raise travel speed; enable the slicer option to avoid crossing outer walls.
Warping
Corners lift off the bed; the bottom surface curls.
Likely causes
- Shrinkage stress as the part cools
- Weak first-layer adhesion
- Drafts or sudden temperature changes
- Unsuitable bed temperature
- Large flat areas and sharp corners
What to check, in order
- 1Clean the bed and check that the first layer is laying down properly.
- 2Add a brim, or small discs at the corners.
- 3Keep the printer out of drafts; use an enclosure for materials such as ASA.
- 4Compare your bed temperature with the product's data sheet.
Under-extrusion
Gaps in walls, thin or broken lines, holes in top surfaces, parts weaker than expected.
Likely causes
- A partially clogged nozzle
- Speed beyond the hotend's melt capacity
- Temperature or flow set too low
- Extruder gear slipping or grinding the filament
- A tangled spool or friction in the feed path
- Damp filament
What to check, in order
- 1Make sure the spool turns freely and the filament isn't tangled.
- 2Look for gear marks or grinding on the filament; check extruder tension.
- 3Print the same model more slowly. If the problem disappears, melt capacity is the limit.
- 4Clean or replace the nozzle, then recalibrate flow.
Poor bed adhesion
The first layer won't stick, lines drag around, or the print breaks free partway through.
Likely causes
- Nozzle too far from the bed
- A dirty or greasy surface
- Unsuitable bed temperature
- First layer printed too fast
- A build surface that doesn't suit the material
What to check, in order
- 1Clean the surface the way its maker recommends.
- 2Re-level the bed or adjust the nozzle gap (Z offset).
- 3Slow the first layer down.
- 4Watch for the opposite too: PETG can stick too well to smooth PEI. Use a release layer if so.
Moisture symptoms
Crackling, steam from the nozzle, a bubbly and rough surface, inconsistent lines.
Likely causes
- A spool left out in the open
- Saturated desiccant
- Long prints in a humid room
What to check, in order
- 1Dry the filament and reprint the same test part.
- 2If the problem goes away, review how you store your spools.
- 3For long prints, feed from a dry box.
When to ask for support
If the filament is dry, the profile is verified, and the printer runs other materials without trouble, but the problem persists, the cause may be the product itself. Once AVORA products are on sale, writing to us with the spool's lot number and the profile version you used will help us understand the problem much faster.