Filament not loading, makes skipping sound  

@fix6

If the springloaded screw is original you have it too tight, try  loosening it so screw is flush with nut.
For me that was a good start

Nice try - not like having to download a file ... and it needs me to buy a new codec to view it. Sorry charlie

Video is not usable - and I'm not spending money to watch it.  You possibly have a clogged nozzle.  Has the printer ever worked before for you?  

Uploaded video to YouTube

Sorry I am on a Mac. I uploaded it to YouTube for visibility. 

this is new behavior

I will look into that thank you, it is just strange because I have hundreds of hours of print time logged, and now it just started doing this.

@fix6

If that's the case, Dan 's suggestion is probably better than mine. 

Fix

Thanks gentlemen, I just ordered a new .4 nozzle and watched the video on how to replace the nozzle. I appreciate all your help!

RE: Filament not loading, makes skipping sound

After changing the nozzle the loading failure still persists so it wasn't the nozzle after all. any other ideas?

RE: Filament not loading, makes skipping sound

I had a related problem.

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it wasn't the nozzle after all. any other ideas?

Open the extruder and watch while you try to push filament down by hand - is it jamming at the top of the PTFE tube?  Is the tube distorted?

Cheerio,

RE: Filament not loading, makes skipping sound

Posted by: @oronz

I had a related problem.

 

This seem to help reduce the tension a little but did not fix the issue. I am very new to this hobby (obviously) but seem to remember a few failed prints right before I changed the filament and had this issue. I'm wondering if it's possible there is damage inside the extruder from being 'backed up' during the failed prints?

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I'm wondering if it's possible there is damage inside the extruder from being 'backed up' during the failed prints?

Try a cold pull, there might be a partial clog of burned filament.

Cheerio,

RE: Filament not loading, makes skipping sound

I'm having the same issue.  I replaced the PTFE tube (the original looked fine, no damage) and ran a print with no problem.  Next day, filament wouldn't load.  I can push filament into the extruder but when I try to load, once it bottoms out it starts skipping again.  I can also push the acupuncture needle up thru the nozzle so it seems like it shouldn't be clogged.  Is there anything else the could be happening? The hot end gets hot, I can see a bit of filament on the nozzle and it's melted.  

RE: Filament not loading, makes skipping sound

I can also push the acupuncture needle up thru the nozzle so it seems like it shouldn't be clogged. Is there anything else the could be happening?

That's three slightly different problems in this thread ... Try a cold-pull and then if it persists revisit your extruder idler setting.

Cheerio,

RE:

Tried a cold pull and it appears the filament isn't melting.  Nothing comes out the nozzle and the filament end still has the angle cut on it.  The nozzle is hot.  Next thoughts?  Thanks btw, this is the first printer I've owned so these issues are new to me.

I do have the door open and can see the filament going into the PTFE tube so I'm confident I'm into the extruder

RE:

There's only one thing left.  A clog in your PTFE tube.  Easy enough to take the extruder body apart (5 screws or so) and replace the tube.  But before you do that,  do this:

Disengage the steppers (control panel)

Back out the tension screw until the door opens.

Heat up the hot end to PETG or the hotter of any filaments you have worked with recently.

Take the small allen wrench, (fits in the PTFE tube), and push it down past the bondtech gears, and into the PTFE tube.  Push hard.  It is a teflon tube - so whatever got stuck in there should slide down into the hot zone

RE: Filament not loading, makes skipping sound

Except it's not.  I replaced the PTFE tube 2 days ago when this first happened.  The tube wasn't plugged or damaged but I replaced it anyway and got one print.  When I tried to load filament for a second print, same thing, no loading and skipping so I took the tube out again and again no damage, no clog so I reused it. I've got one tube left but if I have to change tubes every print and toss what appears to be a perfectly good piece, that seems a bit much.  I've not removed the nozzle but seems like maybe that would help? The instructions say to remove it hot, which is fine if that's required.  If I remove it should I be able to insert filament all the way through the extruder? Drawings would say yes, that's a straight shot so I'd try it to be sure something wasn't stuck somewhere else.  A bit frustrating because this printer has been brilliant from day one, which wasn't all that long ago. 

RE: Filament not loading, makes skipping sound

Continuing this thread, I've removed the nozzle and still cannot push filament or a wire through the extruder from the top.  Based on some measurements I stumbled onto it would appear my issue is in the heatbreak.  Following various links, because in my opinion the Knowledge 
Base search function is crap, I've found the instructions for replacing that bit an have parts on order.  Fingers crossed that fixes things.

still cannot push filament or a wire through the extruder from the top.

This is with the idler open and while the hotend is at, or a little above, printing temperature..?

Cheerio,

RE: Filament not loading, makes skipping sound

Tried a cold pull, once it was headed and I opened the extruder idle door I still could not force PLA filament all the way though to get it to come out the nozzle. does this mean the PTFE tube needs replacing? thanks for all your help!

Posted by: @diem

I'm wondering if it's possible there is damage inside the extruder from being 'backed up' during the failed prints?

Try a cold pull, there might be a partial clog of burned filament.

Cheerio,