# Constantly getting bad prints **URL:** \ **Category:** 3d Printing / Slicers / Setup / Problems\ **Created:** [July 24, 2022, 1:46am UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/constantly-getting-bad-prints/3789 "2022-07-24T01:46:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rmoore3962](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f14d63/32.png) [@Rmoore3962](https://forum.makewithtech.com/u/Rmoore3962)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2022, 1:46am UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/constantly-getting-bad-prints/3789/1 "2022-07-24T01:46:59Z")
[ATTACH=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“medium”,“data-attachmentid”:15657}[/ATTACH] I constantly get bad prints like these. I’m new to 3d printing. I bought a JG Maker Aurora Magic to dabble I. 3D printing. I ended up printing something every day for about 6 months and then I started having problem. I don’t know what to do to fix my prints. I’m using Cura as my slicing program. If some one woul send me the setting that I need change, I would really appreciate it. Right now I just seem to be burning through a lot of filament. Thanks in advance. Enclose is a picture of my last. 3 attempts. ![F24DBB1B-0EAD-4A88-9B92-37CC718087DE.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/uploads/makewithtech/original/2X/7/73f8e20ac61fe2ef8dbcd9def966d72e6e9762d8.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Pigjes](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/user_avatar/forum.makewithtech.com/pigjes/32/199_2.png) [@Pigjes](https://forum.makewithtech.com/u/Pigjes)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2022, 8:40am UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/constantly-getting-bad-prints/3789/2 "2022-07-24T08:40:45Z")
Hi! Which printer do you use? How often do you calibrate the bed level? Is the filament dry? Which filaments do you use, like abrasive ones too? Is the nozzle worn? Do you regularly clean the bed? Are the components still nice and tight? Belts not too loose? No cable folded / bent / broken/ almost disconnected? Is the extroder still OK, meaning no debris inside, no grinded gears? Are the fans still working? Does it have a Boden tube which might be “burnt”? I hope I covered most of it. ---
**Author:** ![Ender5r](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ender5r](https://forum.makewithtech.com/u/Ender5r)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2022, 4:16pm UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/constantly-getting-bad-prints/3789/3 "2022-07-24T16:16:01Z")
Besides what [Pigjes](http://forum.makewithtech.com/core/) said, have you run calibration prints? Also, I have only begun to read it, but many people swear by it, so you might want to look at [Ellis’ print tuning guide](https://github.com/AndrewEllis93/Print-Tuning-Guide). The thing that strikes me most is that you say you were getting good prints, then not. That says to me that something has changed. Have you tried different filament? I assume you have, but just in case. After that, check the printer over thoroughly. Something else to look at is Hobby Hoarder’s [tutorial on first layers](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZRY6kunAvs). I use his technique all the tie to get my Z Offset just right. ---
**Author:** ![Alan](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/user_avatar/forum.makewithtech.com/alan/32/26_2.png) [@Alan](https://forum.makewithtech.com/u/Alan)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 9:31pm UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/constantly-getting-bad-prints/3789/4 "2022-07-25T21:31:37Z")
It would help to know more details. What material(s) (and manufacturer) are you printing? At what temperatures? Are you sure that the filament is dry? What have you done to calibrate the printer. A good site for calibrating is [https://teachingtechyt.github.io/calibration.html](https://teachingtechyt.github.io/calibration.html). My initial guesses would be wet filament or partially clogged hotend. Cheers ---
**Author:** ![Ender5r](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ender5r](https://forum.makewithtech.com/u/Ender5r)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2022, 3:18pm UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/constantly-getting-bad-prints/3789/5 "2022-07-26T15:18:27Z")
> [@Alan](#): > > My initial guesses would be wet filament or partially clogged hotend. That could certainly tie into the “top is good, bottom isn’t” scenario. As the filament gets pulled off the spool, drier filament that was buried under the wetter filament will start to get used. ---
**Author:** ![Rmoore3962](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f14d63/32.png) [@Rmoore3962](https://forum.makewithtech.com/u/Rmoore3962)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2022, 9:33pm UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/constantly-getting-bad-prints/3789/6 "2022-07-27T21:33:37Z")
Here is my latest attempt. I’m using a JG Maker Aurora Magic with Sandoz filament. I did slow the initial print down by 50% as per Dr. Fax. I did use my Filament Heater. I let it heat for several hours. I’m sure it was dry. ![A22F8C88-710F-4C2F-9B7A-F7FC2CB4EA17.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/uploads/makewithtech/original/2X/e/e70590db2e28130d82602958b274311335165f11.jpeg) ![1FA452CA-BA87-4C2C-BE0A-6ABFD16B4296.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/uploads/makewithtech/original/2X/3/35d20d58de8ac4b9968998aa07f9069743309aeb.jpeg) ![BA84B64D-7A38-45A4-8069-5A2833B92F16.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/uploads/makewithtech/original/2X/5/56d1716d41a8d938ec70353f6f28df0d42f73406.jpeg) ![AE178F89-CF29-48E8-8028-513B9DDC4962.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/uploads/makewithtech/original/2X/5/528efbbe535e3acff93bdb76a916bd3c7652c811.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Ender5r](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ender5r](https://forum.makewithtech.com/u/Ender5r)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2022, 9:43pm UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/constantly-getting-bad-prints/3789/7 "2022-07-27T21:43:33Z")
OK, first, there’s no one here named Dr. Fax 😛 I see a couple of possibles in your photos: 1. your nozzle is too high 2. you are over extruding Have you recalibrated your extruder? Did you follow Hobby Hoarder’s video that I linked to above? ---
**Author:** ![Rmoore3962](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f14d63/32.png) [@Rmoore3962](https://forum.makewithtech.com/u/Rmoore3962)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2022, 10:07pm UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/constantly-getting-bad-prints/3789/8 "2022-07-27T22:07:40Z")
I don’t know how. That was Dr. Val’s suggestion. ---
**Author:** ![Ender5r](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ender5r](https://forum.makewithtech.com/u/Ender5r)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 2:34pm UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/constantly-getting-bad-prints/3789/9 "2022-07-28T14:34:43Z")
Don’t know how to what: calibrate your extruder or follow Hobby Hoarder’s video? If it’s how to calibrate the extruder there are literally dozens of videos on how to do that. Here’s 1 from Dr. Vax: [U][Calibrate Your 3d Printer Extruder - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRoCwxRZsvU%5B/U%5D) ---
**Author:** ![Rmoore3962](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f14d63/32.png) [@Rmoore3962](https://forum.makewithtech.com/u/Rmoore3962)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 5:09pm UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/constantly-getting-bad-prints/3789/10 "2022-07-28T17:09:45Z")
[ATTACH=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“medium”,“data-attachmentid”:15687}[/ATTACH] I found out how to calibrate it without a computer and it seemed to work, it was under extruding by a little more than 7 mm. I adjusted it and my next test was a whole lot better. I’m still getting som separation between levels, so that will be my next quest. Thanks for all the help. ![01047AFB-3DCC-49A0-85E4-22A8A9986857.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/uploads/makewithtech/original/2X/1/16c25680b91185708d3569e8ec122fc7cfce2c6e.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Ender5r](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ender5r](https://forum.makewithtech.com/u/Ender5r)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 5:18pm UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/constantly-getting-bad-prints/3789/11 "2022-07-28T17:18:33Z")
I would say your next step is the Hobby Hoarder video. ---
**Author:** ![Rmoore3962](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f14d63/32.png) [@Rmoore3962](https://forum.makewithtech.com/u/Rmoore3962)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2022, 10:33pm UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/constantly-getting-bad-prints/3789/12 "2022-08-01T22:33:20Z")
I finally did it! Thanks to everyone’s help in the Forum, I got my printer back up and running. It didn’t take much. Just level the bed (about 8 times), replaced the Bowden tube with both fittings, cleaned the filament drive gear, tighten the X axis clogged belt, lube the Z drive screw, …leveled the bed a couple more times…. I want to thank everyone in the forum. Without y’all’s help, I would have pulled out the last 4 hair I have left. ![04DB6D51-9DE6-47CD-AF6D-5FA407C8930D.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/uploads/makewithtech/original/2X/4/4d18b4744d0239a1bd3346e81a89cc425067f917.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Ender5r](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ender5r](https://forum.makewithtech.com/u/Ender5r)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2022, 10:44pm UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/constantly-getting-bad-prints/3789/13 "2022-08-01T22:44:43Z")
well don’t that look a whole lot better. So, your lesson here is: printer maintenance is actually a thing 😃 Every few dozen hours you need to go over the printer & check all those things you mentioned, plus other. ---
**Author:** ![Pigjes](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/user_avatar/forum.makewithtech.com/pigjes/32/199_2.png) [@Pigjes](https://forum.makewithtech.com/u/Pigjes)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2022, 6:15am UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/constantly-getting-bad-prints/3789/14 "2022-08-02T06:15:36Z")
Yay!! One recent tip I learned was to heat the bed up for at least 4 minutes before leveling. That helped me a lot. I now even do it before my first print when I get up, so my Prusa levels that one spot on too. ---
**Author:** ![Ender5r](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ender5r](https://forum.makewithtech.com/u/Ender5r)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2022, 1:03am UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/constantly-getting-bad-prints/3789/15 "2022-08-03T01:03:22Z")
Gee, never even thought of that; it’s so automatic to let the bed heat up for a bit. On Voron printers it’s generally recommended to heat soak the bed for 30 min. before printing, because the bed is 12mm thick. ---
**Author:** ![Pigjes](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/user_avatar/forum.makewithtech.com/pigjes/32/199_2.png) [@Pigjes](https://forum.makewithtech.com/u/Pigjes)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2022, 5:50am UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/constantly-getting-bad-prints/3789/16 "2022-08-03T05:50:18Z")
I always waited a minute or 2 with previous printers. It’s obvious with my Prusa that doesn’t suffice, as the metal bed differs a lot compared to the glass bases. I read 4-8 minutes, and 4 is perfect for mine. It actually makes a difference between a decent first layer and having issues to stick with certain filaments. Since I am allergic to glue and hairspray, it needs to stick on it’s own. ---
**Author:** ![Ender5r](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ender5r](https://forum.makewithtech.com/u/Ender5r)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2022, 5:58pm UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/constantly-getting-bad-prints/3789/17 "2022-08-03T17:58:08Z")
Metal bed, on a Prusa? Which one? My MK3S+ has a PCB bed AFAIK. ---
**Author:** ![Pigjes](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/user_avatar/forum.makewithtech.com/pigjes/32/199_2.png) [@Pigjes](https://forum.makewithtech.com/u/Pigjes)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2022, 7:03pm UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/constantly-getting-bad-prints/3789/18 "2022-08-03T19:03:46Z")
> [@Ender5r](#): > > Metal bed, on a Prusa? Which one? My MK3S+ has a PCB bed AFAIK. Mine has an aluminum heatbed. ---
**Author:** ![Ender5r](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ender5r](https://forum.makewithtech.com/u/Ender5r)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2022, 9:04pm UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/constantly-getting-bad-prints/3789/19 "2022-08-03T21:04:35Z")
which model do you have? ---
**Author:** ![Rmoore3962](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f14d63/32.png) [@Rmoore3962](https://forum.makewithtech.com/u/Rmoore3962)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2022, 10:11pm UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/constantly-getting-bad-prints/3789/20 "2022-08-03T22:11:24Z")
Mine is aluminum with a glass cover plate. [Next page](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/constantly-getting-bad-prints/3789.md?page=2)