How To Reduce Nozzle Clogging In 3d Printers
Is a clogged nozzle ruining your prints?
As leading FDM & FGF 3D printer manufacturers, Dowell3D provides a step-by-step guide to clear any
clog and prevent it from happening again. Get back to perfect printing!
A clogged nozzle is one of the most frustrating issues in 3D printing. One moment you're on your way to
a perfect print, the next, your extruder is clicking, and nothing is coming out. As manufacturers of reliable
FDM 3d printer and FGF pellet 3D printers, the Dowell3D team understands this pain point better than anyone.
The good news is that most printer nozzle clogging is preventable and solvable.
How to Diagnose Printer Nozzle Clog
Before you begin, please check if it is clogged.
Typical symptoms include:
Insufficient extrusion: The extrudate is thin, stringy, or lacks layers.
Clicking sound from the extruder: The motor has difficulty pushing the material.
No extrusion at all: The nozzle is completely clogged.
Twisted or burnt filament: The filament is burnt and hardened inside the nozzle.
Solutions for unclogging nozzles
Safety First!
Always wear heat-resistant gloves and safety goggles. You will be handling high-temperature components.
Solution 1:The "Cold Pull" or "Atomic Pull" (Best for FDM Filament)
This is the gold standard for partial clogs and is highly effective for removing debris and degraded plastic.
Heat Up:
Heat your hot end to the printing temperature of the filament you last used (e.g., 210°C for PLA).
Push Filament:
Manually push a small amount of filament through to soften any clog.
Cool Down:
Cool the hot end to about 90°C for PLA or just below the glass transition temperature for your material.
The Pull:
Once cooled, set the extruder to retract the filament firmly but steadily. If done correctly, the filament will
pull out in one piece, taking the shape of the nozzle and any trapped debris with it.
Inspect & Repeat:
The tip of the pulled filament should be pointed and clean. If you see discoloration or debris,
repeat the process until it comes out clean.
Solution 2:The Needle Unclogger (For Soft Blockages)
This is a quick fix for a minor blockage at the nozzle tip.
Heat the nozzle to your regular printing temperature.
Use the supplied acupuncture needle or a 0.4mm nozzle cleaning needle.
Gently insert and wiggle the needle into the nozzle orifice to break up the soft obstruction.
Manually push a small amount of filament through to clear the remnants.
Solution 3:Nozzle-Off Deep Clean (For Stubborn Clogs & FGF Machines)
For severe clogs, especially in FGF printers that use pellets (which can vary more in purity),
a physical disassembly is often needed.
Heat the Hot End: Loosen the nozzle while it's hot (be careful!).
Remove the Nozzle: Use a wrench to unscrew the nozzle completely.
Inspect and Clean:
Use a propane torch to briefly heat the nozzle until the plastic inside burns away.
Caution: This is aggressive and should be done in a well-ventilated area.
Alternatively, soak the nozzle in acetone (for ABS) or a specialized 3D printer nozzle cleaning solution.
Clear the Heat Break: Use a small drill bit (by hand only, never with a power tool!) to gently clear any debris
from the heat break and heater block.
Reassemble: Screw the clean nozzle back in while hot, ensuring it's snug against the heat break to
prevent filament leakage.
Suggestion For ALL Printers:
Use Quality Materials: Cheap filament or pellets often contain inconsistent diameters, impurities,
or moisture that are the primary cause of clogs. Invest in reputable brands.
Keep Filament Dry: Moisture causes steam bubbles and degraded material.
Store filament in a drybox and pellets in airtight containers with desiccant.
Optimize Retraction Settings: Too much retraction can pull molten filament into the heat break,
where it cools and causes a clog. Find the minimum effective retraction distance.
As a professional printer and filament manufacturer, dowell prioritizes reliability in our printer design
and provides reliable printer filament.
If you want to know more about the DOWELL 3D printer, please contact us or leave a message,
and we will explain it to you in detail.
