Ender 3 stuttering

[gritty widget]

Hi everyone,

I'm having a hell of a time with this. The machine has been sitting for maybe 5 months without use. I'm trying to print some cookie cutters and, as you can see from the pictures, I'm not having any luck.

I posted on Reddit/Facebook and got some suggestions to re-level the bed (done), tighten the belt (done), clean the plate with hot soapy water (done), update firmware (done, though I'm not sure it was necessary).

One thing that was suggested was to set the z-offset. I don't understand how to do that/what to do. I've printed many things successfully without ever changing anything.

I think this may be a belt issue, considering the stuttering, but I've watched a couple different YouTube videos about tightening the belt, and it seems like it should be fine. The belt is pretty taut.

What else can I try?

[arctic jay]

AI Help

It looks like you've covered a lot of the common troubleshooting steps already, which is great. Since you mentioned that setting the Z-offset was suggested, you can usually adjust the Z-offset in your printer's settings to fine-tune the distance between the nozzle and the build plate. This can help ensure proper adhesion and print quality.

To set the Z-offset, you may need to access your printer's firmware settings or use software like OctoPrint or Cura. You can adjust the Z-offset incrementally until you find the right balance for good adhesion and proper first-layer printing.

If you suspect a belt issue, it may also be worth double-checking the belt tension, as even a small amount of slack can affect print quality. Additionally, make sure your slicer settings are optimized for the type of filament and design you are using.

If the problem persists, it could be related to feed rate, extruder temperature, or other mechanical issues. At this point, it may be helpful to seek further...

WARNING: This response is AI generated and may contain errors.

[arctic jay]

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[sage violet]

maybe completely loosen the belt on the x axis and feel if it moves freely since it skips steps on that axis

[arctic jay]

Z-offset

Where your printer thinks the nozzle is

The z-offset is the distance from the tip of the nozzle to the trigger point of a bed sensor.

Setting your z-offset correctly ensures a good first layer squish and proper adhesion to the build plate (assuming its clean, see
?bedcleaning for more information). See
?leveling for a good representation of how the first layer should look like.
If in doubt: Refer to you your specific machines documentation.

For the Qidi X series printers: Adjusting the z offset from the Fluidd webinterface breaks it. Always set the z offset from the printers screen.

https://www.wevolver.com/article/z-offset-what-it-is-and-how-to-adjust-it

?z-offset requested by: m.von.d#0

[obsidian shadow]

Your nozzle is too close to the buildplate I am blind, its all over the place. You got a bed leveling probe? Your leveling seems way off.

[rapid vale]

in addition to what has been suggested,
you could also....

• check the printhead (nozzle hotend thing) is not wobbling, and tighten the screws connecting it.
• also make sure the bed is not wobbling on the vslot wheels.
• check the silver collars on the z axis (up down) threaded rods are tight.
• recheck all the stepper motor wiring to make sure it's in all the way.
• could stepper driver temperature also contribute to an issue like this?
  (note: take these as ideas. feel free to ask if your not sure)