Bed adhesion problems occur when the print does not stick to the build plate, causing it to shift, curl up, or detach entirely during printing. This leads to failed prints and wasted material.
Common Causes
- Bed not properly leveled — Uneven distance between nozzle and bed across the surface
- Z-offset too high — The nozzle is too far from the bed for proper squish
- Bed temperature too low — Insufficient heat for the filament material being used
- Contaminated build surface — Fingerprints, grease, or old adhesive residue
- Wrong build surface for the material — Not all surfaces work well with every filament
- No adhesion aids — Some materials require glue stick, hairspray, or special sheets
Recommended Fixes
- Level the bed carefully and use mesh bed leveling if available
- Adjust Z-offset so the first layer is properly squished without being too flat
- Set bed temperature appropriately (PLA: 55-65°C, PETG: 70-80°C, ABS: 95-110°C)
- Clean the build surface with isopropyl alcohol before every print
- Apply a thin layer of glue stick or hairspray for difficult materials
- Use a brim or raft for parts with small footprints
- Consider a PEI sheet or textured build plate for better general adhesion