{"id":656,"date":"2021-08-29T20:48:27","date_gmt":"2021-08-29T23:48:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nuevo.impresion3d.website\/?p=656"},"modified":"2026-09-20T19:31:39","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T19:31:39","slug":"no-filament-comes-out-of-the-extruder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/impresion3d.net\/en\/no-sale-filamento-por-el-extrusor\/","title":{"rendered":"No filament is coming out of the extruder"},"content":{"rendered":"

The extrusion system is one of the most important parts of our printer, as it is responsible for feeding the filament through a Teflon tube with the help of a gear, feeding the filament to the hot end, where it is melted and extruded<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When no filament comes out of the extruder, it means that Something isn't right, and we need to fix it.<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here they are 8 Reasons Why Filament Isn't Coming Out of the Extruder<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. The filament has run out or been cut<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If no filament comes out of the extruder It's possible that the filament ran out, dried out, and that's why it broke.<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the reasons why PLA filament can break is humidity; I invite you to read about it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solution<\/strong><\/span>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The solution is to heat the nozzle so you can remove the remaining filament and load the new filament.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"No
The filament ran out or broke<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

2. The filament in the nozzle melted<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many printers when preheating melt the filament<\/strong> and when printing starts, no filament comes out of the nozzle<\/strong>, sometimes resulting in a misshapen or incomplete first layer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solutions<\/strong><\/span>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manually feed the filament<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first solution involves manually feeding the filament to verify that It really comes out<\/span> out of the nozzle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the type of printer you have, you can print a wheel<\/a> to rotate the NEMA motor, or manually by squeezing the extruder arm and pushing the filament with your hands.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"No
Use the wheel to push the filament<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Enable the \"Skirt\" option<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One way to ensure that the filament comes out of the extruder on the first layer is to enable the Option: Skirt<\/strong> in our favorite rolling machine or slicer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This option will allow the printer to make a specified number of passes around the model before starting to print the first layer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will give the extruder enough time to feed the necessary filament and begin extruding it onto the heated bed.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Activate
Activate \"Skirt in Healing\"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I invite you to read: Borde Skirt or Balsa Skirt: Which One Should You Wear in Cura?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

3. Nozzle too close to the bed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes the nozzle is too close\u2014it's even touching the bed. This prevents the plastic from extruding normally, causing errors in the first layer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solutions:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Level the bed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common mistakes beginners make is failing to level the printer bed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leveling the printer bed is VITAL<\/strong> to ensure high-quality prints, since failing to do so can lead to other types of errors that will affect the quality of our work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the consequences of not leveling the bed is having the nozzle is too close to the base<\/strong>, preventing the filament from feeding properly in all areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LEVEL THE BED<\/a> and you'll see the results<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Change the initial layer height<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the laminator or slicer, set the initial layer height to 0.2 mm<\/strong> to ensure that the filament can feed through the hot end properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Print the first layer at a lower height than that will cause errors<\/span>, such as excess filament coming out the sides of the nozzle, or a lack of filament combined with that the horrible sound of the extruder skipping steps, like the infamous \u201ctac tac tac\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"First
First Layer in Cura<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

4. Clogged nozzle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Inexpensive, low-quality filaments that are not subjected to quality testing by their manufacturers may fail to meet specifications, whether in terms of diameter, hardness, or longer fuse times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can lead to clogs inside the nozzle<\/strong>, preventing the filament from coming out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solution:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heat the set the temperature to the one corresponding to the filament being used<\/strong>, even about 10 degrees more, and insert a needle to open it.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"No
Unclog a 3D printing needle nozzle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I invite you to read: How to Clean a 3D Printer Nozzle<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

5. Damaged extruder<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If at this point you already have filament, you've leveled the print bed properly, there are no clogs, and yet the extruder still isn't pushing filament<\/strong>, Then there is a problem with the extrusion system.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The extrusion system can cause a lot of problems if your 3D printer is a budget model made with inexpensive materials, such as the Creality Ender 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That's what happened in my case\u2014little by little, all the plastic parts of the extrusion system, which were of very poor quality, started to break. Let's take a look at what those parts are and how to fix them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Broken extruder arm<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"No
Broken extruder or broken arm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

It is one of the most common extrusion issues and is closely associated with low-cost printers that use a Bowden tube system, such as the Ender 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The original extruder on some machines is made of plastic, and at some point it breaks or malfunctions in some way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solution:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You'll need to buy a new extruder<\/strong>, preferably made of metal or aluminum. It is a vital part of the extrusion system and must never fail.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Aluminum
Aluminum 3D printer extruder<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I recommend this one aluminum extruder<\/a> on Amazon, which has double gear wheels<\/span> for better filament feed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Screws that are too loose or too tight<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes the screws on the extruder arm will be too tight<\/strong> o too weak<\/strong>Yes, preventing the spring from working properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If no filament is coming out of the extruder, it's because the extruder arm isn't engaging with the gear properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the extruder to work properly, the arm You must tighten the filament with the gear wheel<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solution<\/span><\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tighten or loosen the screws (as needed) so that the filament is pressed against the NEMA motor's gear and can feed smoothly into the Bowden tube.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Adjusting
Adjusting the 3D Printer's Extruder<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

6. Dirty or broken gear<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The gear<\/strong> is responsible for pushing the filament through the Bowden tube. A dirty gear<\/strong> This will cause the motor to miss steps and prevent the filament from reaching the hot end properly, leading to problems sub-extrusion<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solution<\/span>:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always keep the gear clean. If necessary, replace it with a new one.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Dirty
Extruder does not push filament on Ender 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

7. Damaged air couplings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Another common problem with printers that use a Bowden-style extrusion system is broken pneumatic couplings. These couplings hold the tubes through which the filament travels securely in place on the extruder and hotend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When these couplings are of poor quality, they break or become misaligned, causing the Bowden tubes to shift outward as the filament enters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The filament is not coming out of the extruder, causing under-extrusion or a lack of filament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solution<\/span><\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any Racor coupling that has failed, It must be replaced with a higher-quality one<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example<\/span>: The Ender 3 printer uses a M6 Racor fitting for a 4-mm Teflon tube<\/strong> and the hotend uses a 3\/8\" Racor through-type fitting for 4 mm Teflon tubing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Broken
Broken pneumatic coupling; the Bowden cable comes loose.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Here you can see an offer on Amazon for the two couplings that come with the extruder: PC4-M10\/PC4-M6 Pneumatic Connectors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

8. Burnt Teflon tube<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Another reason why filament isn't coming out of the extruder\u2014or rather, the hot end\u2014on a 3D printer is that the Teflon tube has burned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will depend on the type of printer you have, but it's more common than you might think, and The cause of most under-extrusion problems<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One reason this happens is that the hot filament itself I burned the Teflon tube<\/strong> and block its outlet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The causes may be due to a manual filament retraction<\/strong>, while it is at high temperatures, ranging from 210 \u00b0C to over 260 \u00b0C<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here's a Capricorn Brand PTFE Bowden Tube Offer<\/a> which includes 4 pneumatic couplers, 4 springs for the print bed, and 1 meter of Capricorn tubing with 1 tubing cutter on Amazon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No filament is coming out of the extruder:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Summary<\/span>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. The filament has run out or been cut.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. The filament in the nozzle melted.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. The nozzle is too close to the bed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Clogged nozzle.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Damaged extruder.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Dirty or broken gear.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Damaged Racor couplings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Burnt Teflon tube.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \n\n\n\n

    Good luck with your projects, and thank you very much for visiting.<\/strong>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The extrusion system is one of the most important parts of our printer, since it is responsible for feeding the filament with the help of\u2026<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":20667,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-656","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-errores-fallas-y-soluciones","pmpro-has-access",""],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/impresion3d.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/656","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/impresion3d.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/impresion3d.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/impresion3d.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/impresion3d.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=656"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/impresion3d.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/656\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20668,"href":"https:\/\/impresion3d.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/656\/revisions\/20668"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/impresion3d.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20667"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/impresion3d.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=656"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/impresion3d.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=656"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/impresion3d.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=656"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}