3D printing errors: Causes & Solutions

Lisa Ernst · 12.11.2025 · Technology · 9 min

The excitement of building the first 3D printer often quickly gives way to disillusionment when the first part detaches from the bed, drags unsightly strings, or prints offset. These problems – Warping, Stringing, and Layer Shift – are typical challenges for beginners with FDM 3D printers. Almost all troubleshooting guides repeatedly name the same classics that can be traced back to a few causes: temperature, mechanics, material, and slicer settings. This article guides step by step through the 10 most common 3D printing errors, explains the technology behind them, and shows how they can be avoided.

Quelle: Custom Rendering

Introduction

Most home and desktop devices use FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling). In this process, a plastic filament is melted in a heated nozzle and deposited layer by layer onto a print bed until the part is finished ( hubs.com; sculpteo.com). ). FDM is the most common 3D printing process for plastics in the desktop sector ( wikipedia.org).

The typical 3D printing errors discussed here relate mainly to FDM printers:

• Warping is the bending up or detachment of corners and edges of a print from the build platform. The cause is uneven cooling: the plastic shrinks as it cools, creating stresses that pull the part upward at the edges ( snapmaker.com; wevolver.com).
• Stringing are fine threads between separated regions of a print. Typical causes are too high nozzle temperatures and/or unsuitable retraction settings, which cause oozing of the filament during travel moves ( all3dp.com; prusa3d.com).
• Layer Shift means that entire layers are offset sideways. Often a mechanical problem is behind it, e.g., loose belts, obstructed guides, a collision with the printer, or step losses at the motor ( surfacescan.co.uk; zortrax.com; qidi3d.com).
• Under-extrusion describes the condition that too little material comes out of the nozzle. Causes can be partial nozzle blockage, too low temperature, too high speed, or slipping drive gears ( bcn3d.com; matterhackers.com).

Other typical errors are a poor first layer with elephant's foot, ghosting or ringing as vibration patterns, delamination due to poorly adhering layers or completely clogged nozzles ( prusa3d.com; matterhackers.com).

Common Problems & Solutions

Current troubleshooting guides repeatedly show the same problem areas. The 10 most common 3D printing errors can be summarized as follows:

1. Poor first layer and lack of adhesion

The first layer is often the most common problem point, as it forms the foundation ( prusa3d.com). ). Symptoms are lack of adhesion, curling tracks or overly squashed material. Causes range from an unlevel bed to incorrect Z-height to dirty surfaces. Solutions are cleaning, careful leveling, a sensibly set Z-offset and, if necessary, adhesive aids or textured surfaces ( makerbot.com; bcn3d.com).

2. Warping and lifted corners

Warping occurs when corners or edges detach from the build plate, especially with larger parts or filaments like ABS. The cause is uneven temperature distribution and too rapid cooling ( snapmaker.com; wevolver.com; sovol3d.com). ). Countermeasures are a warm and constant bed temperature, a good first layer, brims or rafts, a closed environment, and controlled part cooling ( snapmaker.com; matterhackers.com).

3. Stringing and filament oozing

Stringing are fine threads between separated regions. Main causes are too high nozzle temperature and/or unsuitable retraction ( all3dp.com; prusa3d.com; polymaker.com). ). Strategies include a temperature step test, finely tuned retraction length and speed, optimized travel speed, and separate profiles for Bowden and Direct-Drive systems ( matterhackers.com; polymaker.com).

4. Layer Shift and misaligned models

Layer Shift shows as sideways offset layers. Causes are mechanical problems such as loose belts, poorly lubricated guides, collisions or vibrations ( surfacescan.co.uk; kingroon.com; zortrax.com). ). Remedies include tightening belts and screws, a stable stand, reduced speed and adjusted accelerations/jerk ( qidi3d.com).

5. Under-extrusion and gaps in walls

Under-extrusion results in gaps, perforated infill and poorly closed top layers. Causes can be partially clogged nozzles, too low temperatures, too high speed or a slipping extruder ( bcn3d.com; matterhackers.com). ). Solutions are mechanical checks (filament path, pressure, nozzle cleaning), lowering print speed, raising temperature and calibrating the extrusion factor.

6. Over-extrusion, blobs and elephant's foot

Over-extrusion leads to thick walls, rough details and overly crushed first layer. This is explained by too high a flow, incorrect filament diameter setting or a Z-offset that is too close ( simplify3d.com; matterhackers.com). ). Remedies include precise calibration of the E-steps, correct filament diameter, finely tuned flow and a suitable Z-offset.

7. Clogged or partially clogged nozzle

A clogged nozzle causes filament to flow only sporadically or not at all. Causes are burnt material, dust, foreign particles or filament left too long in the hotend ( matterhackers.com; bcn3d.com). ). Typical countermeasures are cold pulls, nozzle replacement, clean filament path and realistic standby temperatures.

8. Delamination and poor layer adhesion

Delamination is the splitting of a print along the layers. Causes are too low nozzle temperature, too strong part cooling, unsuitable layer height or drafts ( 3dxtech.com; bcn3d.com). ). Better adhesion is achieved by higher extrusion temperature, reduced fan power and, if necessary, a warm, enclosed enclosure.

9. Ghosting, Ringing and vibrations

Ghosting or ringing are light waves along edges. Causes are mechanical vibrations ( bcn3d.com). ). Remedies include tight fastenings, stable setup, reduced accelerations and speeds, and a balanced ratio of mass to stiffness in the printer system.

10. Dimensional deviations and fit issues

Dimensional problems result from uncalibrated E-steps, incorrect flow values, unsuitable compensation for hole diameters or material shrinkage ( simplify3d.com; all3dp.com). ). Solutions are calibration tests, separate profiles for functional parts and constructive corrections in CAD.

Quelle: techkrams.de

An overview of common 3D printing errors such as stringing, warping, layer-shifting, and rough surfaces.

Backgrounds & Practice

3D printing errors occur repeatedly because FDM printers combine mechanics, thermodynamics, materials science, and software in a complex way. Small changes in environment, filament batch, or firmware can produce visible results ( sculpteo.com).

Manufacturers often market devices as "Out of the box", but point in support documents to maintenance, precise leveling, and calibration to avoid problems like layer shift or warping ( makerbot.com; zortrax.com; matterhackers.com). ). This creates a tension between marketing promises and practical requirements.

In communities like r/FixMyPrint, experiences are shared, but many tips are situation-dependent. Blanket advice like "more glue" for warping ignores well-founded explanations of temperature gradients and shrinkage ( reddit.com; sovol3d.com).

Research projects like 3DPFIX show that beginners have difficulty filtering relevant information and diagnosing errors clearly. Tools for error analysis and proposed solutions are meant to help here ( arxiv.org).

This video clearly explains which physical effects underlie warping and shows different ways to counteract it through material choice, enclosure, and slicer settings.

Fact-check: Evidence vs. Claims

It is established that warping is caused by uneven cooling and poor adhesion. Shrinking plastics generate stresses that lead to lifting ( snapmaker.com; wevolver.com; markforged.com). ). Measures like correct bed temperature, suitable adhesion surfaces, brims or rafts, and reduced drafts lower the probability of warping ( makerbot.com; sovol3d.com).

It is also established that stringing depends on retraction and temperature. Systematic tests show that reducing nozzle temperature and optimizing retraction parameters reduces stringing ( all3dp.com; matterhackers.com; polymaker.com).

). The "perfect" setting remains unclear, as it depends on the printer, hotend, filament batch and environment. Recommended values are starting points that must be fine-tuned with test prints ( prusa3d.com; matterhackers.com).

blanket statements like "Warping is always solved with more glue" are misleading. Expert sources warn against treating adhesives as the sole solution when fundamental problems remain unresolved ( snapmaker.com; sovol3d.com). ). Too-strong retraction can cause new problems; a combination of temperature, retraction, and travel optimization is more sensible ( all3dp.com; polymaker.com).

Reactions & Counterpoints

Official guides emphasize maintenance, clean mechanics, and recommended temperature ranges. For Layer Shift, support pages refer to belt tension, bearing condition, and a secure stance ( zortrax.com; kingroon.com). ). For Warping, stable bed temperature and suitable surfaces are prioritized ( makerbot.com).

In forums and social media groups you often find pragmatic quick-fixes like more glue, hairspray, or more aggressive support structures ( reddit.com; facebook.com). ). These can help in individual cases, but do not always address the underlying cause.

Research and service providers view 3D printing errors as the systemic result of complex parameters. Projects like 3DPFIX aim to generate automated suggestions from error images and settings ( arxiv.org).

Quelle: the3dprinterbee.com

Failed prints: When reality does not match the digital template.

Quelle: user-added

An example of a 3D print that shows typical errors such as visible layers and uneven surface texture.

Implications & What it means for you

The 10 most common 3D printing errors are not signs of clumsiness, but indications that settings do not match the combination of printer, filament, and environment. 3D printing is an iterative learning process in which causes are systematically narrowed down rather than randomly tweaking sliders ( simplify3d.com; bcn3d.com).

A solid workflow helps:

1. Start with the basics: a clean, leveled build plate, a plausible Z-offset, and suitable material. For critical materials like ABS or ASA, a constant environment is important ( matterhackers.com).
2. Check the mechanics: belt tension, play, lubrication, cable routing. Manufacturer support pages list these points as standard checks for Layer Shift ( zortrax.com; kingroon.com).
3. Fine-tune later slicer parameters such as speed, acceleration, retraction and temperature in small steps. Specialized articles recommend small adjustments and intermediate tests ( all3dp.com; matterhackers.com).

The clip shows step by step how to calibrate retraction in Cura with a test plugin, thereby specifically reducing stringing and blobs.

Checklist & Outlook

This checklist can be placed as a personal "download" next to the printer:

• Check before every important print that the bed is clean, oil-free and properly leveled, and that the Z-offset allows the first layer to adhere well without crushing it excessively ( prusa3d.com).
• Note for each filament type at least one tested profile with a working combination of nozzle temperature, bed temperature and speed within the manufacturer's recommended range ( matterhackers.com).
• Regularly check belt tension, smooth axis movement and fastener tightness, especially with Layer Shift or Ghosting ( zortrax.com; bcn3d.com).
• Keep ready for every new filament short calibrations: a small temperature tower, a retraction test object and a calibration cube for measurements and extrusion ( all3dp.com; simplify3d.com).
• Document changes to profiles and hardware, so errors can be traced later. Structured documentation helps beginners narrow down common errors faster ( arxiv.org).

Open questions

Despite many guides, questions remain open. The combined influence of all parameters for complex geometries, new filament blends and high print speeds is not yet fully understood. Studies on Fused Filament Fabrication show that deformation and orientation of polymer chains in the extrusion process are complex and strongly influence mechanical properties ( arxiv.org).

It is also open how far automated diagnostic tools can go. AI-assisted error detection like in 3DPFIX can relieve beginners, but many solutions are still in prototype ( arxiv.org).

It remains exciting how new printing processes and materials will behave. Higher temperature resistant plastics, fiber composites or flexible materials bring their own error patterns, for which systematic troubleshooting guides are still lacking ( 3dxtech.com).

Conclusion

The 10 most common 3D printing errors are not accidents, but expressions of physical and mechanical relationships ( simplify3d.com; all3dp.com). ). By ensuring the basics of bed, mechanics and material and by purposefully adjusting slicer parameters, frustration turns into a learning curve. With the checklist, test objects and systematic willingness to experiment, 3D prints become stable, dimensionally accurate, and clean – and typical errors become rarer.