# An Overview of Material Extrusion Troubleshooting
## 3 Troubleshooting of ME Parts
### Printer-Associated Problems  
#### 3.1.1 Not Extruding at Start  
The extruder is not extruding the material at the beginning of the print. This may be due to the extruder not being properly primed before the beginning of the print. It occurs when the nozzle height is set too low or too close to the build platform, the filament is stripped and/or having a clogged nozzle. Solutions include the following:  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l l l} \hline
**3.1 Printer-Associated** & **3.2 Deposition-Associated** & **3.3 Print Quality** \\ \hline
3.1.1 Not extruding at start & 3.2.1 Under-extension & 3.3.1 Walls not touching \\
3.1.2 Poor adhesion of the first layer & 3.2.2 Over-extension & 3.3.2 Gaps between infill and outline \\
3.1.3 Sogberg extruding during mid print & 3.2.3 Overheating & 3.3.3 Gaps between thin walls \\
3.1.4 Closed nozzle & 3.2.4 Small features not printed & 3.3.4 Sparse top fill \\
3.1.5 Caked nozzle or extruder blob & 3.2.5 Inconsistent extrusion & 3.3.5 Sparse bottom fill \\
3.1.6 Grinding filament & 3.2.6 Dimensional accuracy & 3.3.6 Mbssey first layer \\
3.1.7 Extrusion away from previous layers: & 3.2.7 Sshifted layers or leaning & 3.3.7 Visible infill from the outside: Ghosting \\ Spaghetti Monster & 3.2.8 Lower parts causing in & 3.3.8 Visible lines on the side of the print \\  & 3.2.9 Sapped layers & 3.3.9 Sears or scratch on top surface \\  & 3.2.10 Print bows out at the base & 3.3.10 Poor or rough surface above support \\  & 3.2.11 Random or messy infill & 3.3.11 Unessup support removal \\  & 3.2.12 Feinding or owing & 3.3.12 FeIIlowing \\  & 3.2.13 Poor bridging or uply overhangs & 3.3.13 Bobs and zirls \\  & 3.3.14 Irregular circles \\  & 3.3.15 Vibration and ringing \\  & 3.3.16 Warping \\  & 3.3.17 Layer separations, cracks or splitting \\  & 3.3.18 Curling or rough corners \\  & 3.3.19 Plastic threading: Hairy prints \\ \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 7: List of Common Problems.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l l l} \hline
**3.1 Printer-Associated** & **3.2 Deposition-Associated** & **3.3 Print Quality** \\ \hline
3.1.1 Not extruding at start & 3.2.1 Under-extension & 3.3.1 Walls not touching \\
3.1.2 Poor adhesion of the first layer & 3.2.2 Over-extension & 3.3.2 Gaps between infill and outline \\
3.1.3 Sogberg extruding during mid print & 3.2.3 Overheating & 3.3.3 Gaps between thin walls \\
3.1.4 Closed nozzle & 3.2.4 Small features not printed & 3.3.4 Sparse top fill \\
3.1.5 Caked nozzle or extruder blob & 3.2.5 Inconsistent extrusion & 3.3.5 Sparse bottom fill \\
3.1.6 Grinding filament & 3.2.6 Dimensional accuracy & 3.3.6 Mbssey first layer \\
3.1.7 Extrusion away from previous layers: & 3.2.7 Sshifted layers or leaning & 3.3.7 Visible infill from the outside: Ghosting \\ Spaghetti Monster & 3.2.8 Lower parts causing in & 3.3.8 Visible lines on the side of the print \\  & 3.2.9 Sapped layers & 3.3.9 Sears or scratch on top surface \\  & 3.2.10 Print bows out at the base & 3.3.10 Poor or rough surface above support \\  & 3.2.11 Random or messy infill & 3.3.11 Unessup support removal \\  & 3.2.12 FeIIlowing & 3.3.12 FeIIlowing \\  & 3.2.13 Poor bridging or ouyed werhangs & 3.3.13 Bobs and zirls \\  & 3.3.14 Irregular circles \\  & 3.3.15 Vibration and ringing \\  & 3.3.16 Warping \\  & 3.3.17 Layer separations, cracks or splitting \\  & 3.3.18 Curling or rough corners \\  & 3.3.19 Plastic threading: Hairy prints \\ \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 6: _Cont._Drawing a skirt to prime the extruder before starting the print.  
Readjust the first layer height by running through the first layer calibration [63; 67] (refer to 3.1.2: (1) Incorrect build platform levelling).  
Check if there is a lot of plastic shavings caused by the drive gears (refer to 3.1.6: Grinding filament).  
Unclog the nozzle and check if there is any foreign debris or plug inside the nozzle. Clean the nozzle using a brass wire brush or replace with a new nozzle (refer to 3.1.4: Clogged nozzle).