When your extruder’s drive gear chews through filament, you’ll see flattened or stripped spots that prevent proper extrusion. This usually means the extruder is encountering too much resistance or gripping the filament incorrectly. If left unresolved, extrusion will completely stop.
Symptoms:
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Filament chewed up, flat spots on filament.
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Extruder clicking or skipping, little/no extrusion.
Causes:
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Clogged or partially blocked nozzle.
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Extruder tension too high/low.
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Filament tangled or spool resistance.
Troubleshooting Steps:
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Inspect and clean nozzle (cold pull or replace).
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Adjust extruder tension.
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Check for filament tangles or spool drag.
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Ensure filament diameter matches slicer settings.
Prevention Tips:
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Perform regular nozzle maintenance.
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Keep filament path smooth and untangled.
