3D Prints Not Sticking To The Bed? Learn 8 Ways to Fix it 

If you are into 3D printing, you might face the issue of 3d print not sticking to the bed quite often in spite of the bed type (Glass or other material) you are using. This issue is very frustrating and in this article, we’ll discuss how to fix filament not sticking to the bed. 

In case your 3D prints won’t stick to the bed, the way to overcome is to increase the Nozzle temperature and print bed temperatures. Increasing the temperature causes the filament to melt adequately and stick to the bed with good adhesion. Apart from these, please ensure that the bed is not warped and leveled properly. All of these result in laying the first layer properly. 

There are many other reasons for 3D printer adhesion problems, so we’ll discuss them below: 

Reasons For 3D Prints Not Sticking to the Bed

The reasons for 3D prints not sticking to bed could be many, but it’s important to identify the exact cause and find a solution for it.

If your first layer is not sticking to the bed properly then it onsets 3D printer adhesion problems. Thus the first layer is highly important and it defines the whole success of the 3D print.

Set the first layer right and you will see the expected result. 

Some of the reasons that cause 3D printer filament not to stick to the bed are as below:

• Printing Nozzle Temperature and bed temperature is incorrect.
• Improper print bed leveling 
• Dirty/unclean bed surface
• First layer slicer settings are incorrect.
• Printing with a low-quality filament 
• Not using any print bed adhesives for improved adhesion 
• Rafts and Brims are not being used.

Ways to Fix 3D Print Not Sticking To the Bed

Let us discuss many ways of fixing 3D printing adhesion problems including simple and easy solutions. These solutions will fix your bed adhesion issues and make the first layer properly stick to the bed. 

1. Increase Nozzle & Bed Temperature 

When you see your 3D printing first layer not sticking to the print bed properly, you should first check the values of nozzle and bed temperature. Setting an accurate print bed temperature for every filament type is important. 

Keep the Nozzle and bed temperatures high while printing the first few layers and bring them down once the print sticks to the bed. There are no magic temperature values, it needs some trial and testing as mentioned below: 

• Increase the bed temperature in small steps and observe the print.
• Switch off the cooling fan during initial layers as it prevents the rapid cooling of the foundational layers.
• Use the 3D Printer enclosure to maintain adequate internal temperature. 

2. Accurate Leveling of Your 3D Print bed

In order to get a successful 3D print, the print bed needs to be leveled properly without which the distance between nozzle and print bed varies at different points. This causes the filament to stick strongly at some points and weakly at some points where distance is more.

This sets a weak foundation for the whole print and it can easily get detached when during heavier movements. Sometimes, it also causes warping or totally breaks the 3D print.  

Many 3D printers today are equipped with Automatic bed leveling if that option is absent, then manual leveling is the way. 

• The print bed has leveling knobs that can be used to move the bed up and down. 
• Also, check if the print bed warps by using the metal ruler. Do this when the bed is heated. 
• Bring the nozzle closer to the print bed and ensure a 1mm gap on the left side and move a piece of paper beneath the nozzle. 
• Adjust the bed knobs until the paper faces small friction when moved. 
• Do this on all 4 corners and the middle of the print bed. 
• Use borosilicate glass for improved bed leveling. 

3. Keep the Print Bed Surface Clean / Replace With New One 

This step is important that the print bed be kept clean without any dirt to make the 3D prints stick. It is also important not to touch the print bed surface with your hands as it can make the surface oily or watery. 

Clean the surface with a cotton cloth when the print is heated. If none of these tips work, then get a flexible magnetic build surface or borosilicate glass.

• To ensure strong sticking, use Flexible Magnetic Surfaces as they are customizable, easily removable, and have all functionalities to adhere to the print. 
• Use Borosilicate Glass instead of normal glass to increase adherence and adhesion.

4. Use Correct Slicer Settings: 

Slicer settings will have a great impact on the print output especially the sticking to the print bed. Modify the slicer settings and do some trials with various slicer settings as below:

• Increase or decrease the material flow rate and see if first layer starts sticking to the bed well.
• Flow rate varies for different print objects and it can be found under “Material Settings” and adjust “Flow Rate”
• Ensure the exterior and interior setting values are correct 
• Check the extruder settings such as restriction distance, restriction speed, coasting.etc 

5. Use High-Quality FIlament For Printing: 

The quality of the filament you are using will also define how well it sticks to the print bed. Always use high-quality filament at the right temperatures. Certain low-quality filaments won’t even follow ship the filaments with proper package standards to protect them from moisture. 

By the time, the filament reaches your hand, it will be filled with moisture. This poses a potential sticking problem during the first layers. 

• Use the filaments of reputable brands and buy them from Authentic sources like Amazon, MatterHackers.etc 
• Make sure that first layer is properly molded to the bed by full extrusion from the Nozzle.
• Ensure that the filament diameter is uniform throughout its length and there shouldn’t be difference in diameters such 1.75mm at one place and 1.70mm at another place. 
• Use the filaments like Hatchbox, Overture, SUNLU, AMOLEN, eSUN.etc

6. Not Using Print Bed Adhesives for Improved Adhesion 

If you’ve tried all the above methods and found that prints are not effectively sticking yet to the print bed, then you need to use the Adhesives. 

• Use some Glue Sticks that can enhance the adhesion. Some of the best Glue sticks are Elmer’s Disappearing Purple Glue Stick, Magigoo, Scotch Purple Glue Stick.etc
• Some 3D users said that hairsprays does a great job in bonding 3D prints to the print bed. A few of the best hairsprays for 3D printing are Aqua Net Hair Spray, L’Oreal Paris Advanced Hairstyle, Paul Mitchell Spray
• Clean your print and the dirt elimination in itself can improve the adhesion greatly. 

7. Use Rafts & Brims For Extra Adhesion 

Rafts and Brims are an excellent way of strengthening the foundation of the 3D print. They offer extended base support in order to stick well to the print bed. These are useful during the larger prints for the proper orientation. 

You can easily implement raft or brim by configuring the slicer settings with customization

• Brim is useful to hold the semi-large objects as it circles the object and extends the surface area of the object consistently. 
• Rafts are Horizontal meshes deposited on the print bed to make the object stick to the print bed tightly  

How To Make PLA Stick to the Print Bed? 

If you are facing the problem of PLA does not stick to the bed then there are a few steps to fix this problem. When PLA gets peeled off from the surface while printing it can cause frustration along with resource and time wastage. 

Below are a few steps that can help to solve the problem of PLA not sticking to the bed:

• Level the print bed properly either manually or automatically. Use BL touch sensor for automatic bed leveling. 
• Use high quality PLA filaments such as Hatchbox, eSun, Overture.etc
• Dry PLA filament using dehydrators 
• Make use of bed adhesives such as hairspray or gluesticks.