3D printers can stop working from something as simple as a clogged nozzle to complex failures of optics, motors, and heating elements. The good news is that most 3D printers are built for maintenance, so they have replaceable parts; the real challenge is figuring out what’s gone wrong so you can provide a fix.
When to Call the Experts
While basic troubleshooting steps can resolve many common 3D printing issues, more complex repairs require expert intervention to safely diagnose and correct while avoiding further printer damage or injury risk.
Searching ‘3D printer repair near me’ is a good trick to find reputable repair shops, or you can go through your manufacturer.
Here are key indicators it’s time to seek professional 3D printer repair help:
- Safety concerns – Any risk of electrical shock, burner injury, or emission of harmful fumes if attempting repair indicates an expert should intervene.
- Advanced disassembly needed – If the issue requires completely disassembling major printer structures, optics, or circuits, it’s safest to have an expert perform this correctly.
- Fundamentally broken components – Broken cables, connectors, sensors, heating elements, mirrors/optics, etc., may be tricky or impossible to source and replace yourself adequately. Experts have access to spare parts and assemblies.
- Repetitive failures – If an issue persists across attempts to fix it yourself, an underlying problem you cannot correctly identify or address may be occurring, necessitating expert analysis.
- No diagnostic capability – Lacking adequate tools, testing methods, training, manuals/schematics, and software/firmware access will prevent resolving anything but minor repairs. Experts have full system knowledge.
- Manufacturer warranty/service – Printer manufacturers often provide repair services themselves or use vendors to fix issues under warranty or through paid service plans – making use of these existing services is easier and more cost-effective.
If you are having problems with your 3D printer – perhaps it’s temperamental, or you’ve noticed a significant drop in print quality – we offer 3D printer troubleshooting advice and repair services with manufacturer-approved technicians.
We also provide backup 3D printing services to fill your needs while your 3D printer is in our repair shop – these are cost-effective to help plug the hole.
Troubleshooting
Is it a routine maintenance issue you can quickly fix yourself, or is it a critical failure requiring a technician? That is the question. The first step we recommend is determining whether you have a hardware or software/connectivity problem.
In most cases, 3D printers return error messages when there’s a problem, accessible from the printer’s display or the computer in control. If the printer is dead when connected, it probably has a power supply or connectivity issue.
Some problems with 3D printers are exclusive to the technology or 3D printing process. FFF and SLA, for example, have different problems – clogged nozzles are a prime example of FFF 3D printers.
FFF 3D Printers
- Toolhead issues: Many issues can arise with the toolhead, including clogs, cable connection problems, and cutter malfunctions. Nozzle and extruder clogs prevent the filament from properly extruding. Inspect the printhead cable connections for any signs of damage. Disconnect and then reconnect the cables to ensure they have a solid connection. Also perform routine maintenance tasks on the extruder and filament feed mechanisms. Manually purge any degraded filament that may be stuck inside the nozzle.
- Heat bed problems: One of the most common FFF 3D printer issues is heat bed failure – where the bed cannot reach or maintain proper print temperatures, leading to poor first-layer adhesion and warped parts. Causes for heat bed failure include loose wiring connections, broken power cables inside the printer chassis, burnt-out heating elements, and faulty voltage regulation components.
- Mechanical issues: The X, Y, and Z-axis guides, motors, and components are prone to misalignment and increased friction over time, leading to uneven layers, quality issues, and failed homing routines. The build-up of dust, debris, and material deposits on the X and Y axes on the guide rods can significantly increase resistance and vibration. The Z-axis lead screws can also become misaligned or loose, causing the print bed to stutter or fail to reach proper heights.
- Display and data issues: Over time, your printer’s LCD/LED panel can flicker, discolour, freeze, or fail. MicroSD cards can also fail, leading to print failures – a simple problem with a straightforward fix.
SLA 3D Printers
SLA printers use precise laser optics and photosensitive resins to build highly detailed and accurate parts layer-by-layer. But this complex system requires careful maintenance to keep operating flawlessly.
Some printers have an optical window that sits below the resin vat, protecting internal mirrors and laser components from drips, dust, and vapours. Use the provided wipes to keep this window squeaky clean. Contaminants can diffuse and weaken the laser.
Inspect the underside and inside edges of the vat windows as well. Resin can seep into tiny crevices and cure, clouding the film. Replace cloudy film to ensure crisp projections.
The galvo mirror assembly guides the laser beam with microscopic precision, but airborne resin molecules eventually coat these mirrors, degrading directional control. Run a print diagnostic to test the current laser power. If failing, follow the detailed procedure to access and clean the galvos safely.
SLS 3D Printers
SLS printers have complex optics, powder handling systems, powder bed heating, and powder deposition mechanisms. They are reliable but also prone to contamination, wear, and misalignment over time. Failed optics and heating systems lead to part defects, while powder handling failures disrupt the print process.
These printers maintain helpful diagnostic logs accessible through the display or software to provide details on error codes encountered. Use these codes to identify the specific symptom and follow the provided resolution steps.
Steps typically include inspecting and cleaning specific components, reseating connectors, updating firmware, and power cycling the printer.
Standard codes usually relate to powder handling and optics, with sub-codes that might indicate motor issues with internal flippers, recoat systems, and the print bed preventing proper movement. Inspect troughs and gears for obstructions. IR sensor errors typically mean that the printer is having issues detecting the sensor or getting consistent readings from it. To troubleshoot, first carefully clean the IR sensor itself to remove any dust or debris. Then, disconnect and reconnect the sensor’s cable connections to ensure a solid connection. Finally, check that the optical path between the sensor and its target is precise and debris-free.
Heater and sensor errors may also appear, such as the printer heater being unable to reach setpoints. Check dedicated, sufficient power circuits, connectors, quartz tubes, and environment controls.
If following standard troubleshooting does not resolve codes, further internal inspection and component replacement is likely needed. Documenting frequency, affected components, firmware versions, and logs will help expedite support.
Feel free to contact us for help and advice on any 3D printer problems.