What sort of failure is this? - How do I print this? (Printing help)

RE: What sort of failure is this?

Frank Lawrence — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 01:06:01 +0000

Hope I am not too late (might be useful for you).

I ran into this exact problem last night and have exact failure. I tried to retract and looks like the filament is thicker in OD (heat creep mostly likely)

Then I found the heat sink fan and part cooling fan plugged in wrongly in the opposite plugs. So first layer the heat sink fan did not turn on (because it is plugged in as part cooling fan).

after switching their plugs it worked

RE: What sort of failure is this?

Bob — Sat, 01 Jan 2022 20:31:29 +0000

Your z-offset is too low. Anytime you work on your printer you need to re-calibrate the z-offset, especially if you tinker with the hot end. In fact, even if you just lift your printer and move it to another location you should re-calibrate z-offset. Keep in mind that the difference between a proper z-offset and a bad one can be as little as 100 microns. Based on the picture I'd say your z-offset is off by far more than that.

Cheers

-Bob

RE: What sort of failure is this?

cdilla — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 15:19:13 +0000

Hi Chuck, thanks for the advice.

I tried it on three prusa PLA filaments (all kept in sealed containers with drying agent) and all have the same issue.

I have run through the video a couple of times, have done what he suggests.

I've also followed the Knowledgebase extruder cleaning and cold pull pages.

So I'm all ready to try a print again, but I must have done something during the above processes as when I tried to to do the bed leveling it pushes down on the bedplate bending it alarmingly before failing. Done a couple of selftests, which passed, but the bed level is failing.

Now to look around as see what I might have done to cause that.

RE:

cwbullet — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 12:13:36 +0000

It is a jam. Heat creep is only one potential cause. I would try a different filament first.

Second I would try:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxxLOwe2gJs

If this does not help: I would contact support (echat) since your printer is pretty new and they can walk you through some fixes.

What sort of failure is this?

cdilla — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 10:48:17 +0000

After a year of good printing on an unmodified MINI+ I am getting consistant failures.

I have dismantled and cleaned the extruder, changed the tube, cleaned the nozzle (with cold pulls etc), but all but the smallest prints fail early on.

The attached photo shows the result. Sometimes the extruder clicks. Generally, after cancelling the print, I can't unload the filament without dismantling.

From what I have read here I'm thinking heat creep. But I would appreciate more experienced opinions.