3D Printer Spaghetti: Causes and Solutions

3D printers are amazing tools that can create all sorts of objects, but sometimes they produce not-so-amazing results. One common problem is 3D printer spaghetti, which refers to stringy or filament-like structures coming from the nozzle during a print job. 

In this blog, we’ll explore some of the causes and solutions of 3D printer spaghetti and what you can do to avoid it.

3D Printer Spaghetti Causes

3D printer spaghetti of a yellow filament. Image source: YouTube

1. Spaghetti Cause #1: Not enough filament

2. Spaghetti Cause #2: The wrong type of filament 

3. Spaghetti Cause #3: Bad layer adhesion 

4. Spaghetti Cause #4: Incorrect extrusion temperature 

5. Spaghetti Cause #5: Warped or damaged build plate 

Spaghetti Cause #1: Not enough filament

This phenomenon is caused when the 3D printer doesn’t have enough filament when printing an object, creating layers of plastic strands that resemble spaghetti. 

It’s definitely not a pretty sight and can be an indication that you need to restock your filament supplies before continuing. 

Thankfully, 3D printer spaghetti can be avoided if you check for enough filament before starting a new project!

Spaghetti Cause #2: The wrong type of filament

Nothing is more discouraging for a 3D printing enthusiast than wrestling with a tangle of spaghetti coming straight off their printer!  This is done because of the wrong type of filament used in the printer.

What many would-be makers don’t realize is that the cause of this mess often boils down to improper filament choice. Selecting a filament that is either too flexible or too rigid can cause layers to deform or separate, resulting in the dreaded ‘spaghetti’ print result. 

A little research into what type of filament works best for your project can go a long way in preventing all that time, energy, and money from going to waste on substandard results!

Spaghetti Cause #3: Bad layer adhesion

One of the biggest causes of 3D printer spaghetti is bad layer adhesion. If the layers don’t properly bond with each other, it can cause a weak connection in your print and can quickly turn into a pile of twisted, tangled strings after it comes off the build plate. 

Poorly adhering layers can occur for several reasons, such as higher than normal print speed or extruder temperature, wrong bed temperature for material being used, or defective nozzle. 

Whatever the reason, taking time to check your settings before you print will save you from having an embarrassing mess on your desk when your structure fails and falls over.

Spaghetti Cause #4: Incorrect extrusion temperature

Incorrect extrusion temperature occurs when the hot end of your 3D printer isn’t properly calibrated and heated to the right temperatures to successfully melt plastic filaments into a usable form. If not enough heat is applied, your printer may still extrude filament, but it won’t become tacky and formidable. 

Instead, what comes out will look more like a tangled mess of wire than actual 3D-printed shapes – which can leave you feeling frustrated while trying to get your print to come together in one piece. The good news is these temperate settings are adjustable and can be adjusted accordingly for future projects you may have in mind!

Spaghetti Cause #5: Warped or damaged build plate

Getting 3D printing spaghetti as a result of your prints can be really unwelcoming. One cause for this issue that is often overlooked is warping or damage to the build plate. 

Make sure you inspect it before each print and replace it when necessary. Taking the time to get it right the first time will save you from having to go back and try to troubleshoot issues with your 3D printer later on. 

Even if you replace your plate often, don’t forget to periodically check in on how it looks; things like external temperature changes could cause enough of a shift for possible warping to have occurred unseen.

3D Printer Spaghetti Solution

3D printer spaghetti of a red filament. Image source: Prusa

Use more filament

3D printer spaghetti is the bane of many makers’ existence, but luckily there is an easy solution. To decrease the amount of spaghetti your 3D printer produces, it’s essential to use more filament. 

Having extra length between layers can help prevent spaghetti strands from forming, and it can also ensure that each layer is fully supported instead of being mainly suspended in the air.  Try adding 10-20% more filament during your next print job and see how much of a difference having heavier support layers makes!

Use a bigger nozzle

Have you ever had a problem with your hose before? Don’t worry; we’ve all been there. One solution that has proven especially effective is using a bigger nozzle. 

The bigger nozzle is essential when trying to reduce the “spaghetti effect” (where excess water sprays randomly around) and helps prevent wasting precious resources such as water. Having a bigger nozzle also helps better target those hard-to-reach places, making it the perfect solution for anyone dealing with hoses gone wild!

Extrude slower

If your 3D printed prints are always running into issues and creating a ‘spaghetti cause’, then the solution may be to extrude slower. While a faster printing speed may sound tempting in order to achieve quicker results, it can lead to multiple issues which slow down the printing process as well as reduce quality. 

Have you found yourself pulling out all sorts of plastic strands from your print job? Slowing down the extruding speed when printing can provide a solution — resulting in better-quality prints and increased efficiency. So, if you’re struggling with 3D filament getting everywhere all the time, why not try and reduce the printing speed for better results?

Increase retraction distance

Increasing retraction distance is the solution to a common 3D printing problem known as “spaghetti” — when 3D prints have too much filament coming out of them, causing strands of plastic to tangle together like spaghetti. 

To fix it, you need to increase the length between where the extruder deposits and retracts the filament. This will reduce or eliminate the same strands from bonding together so that your prints come out clean and smudge-free. 

So if you’re having trouble with your 3D prints turning into a bowl of spaghetti, simply increase your retraction distance and enjoy a stress-free print job!

Decrease the infill percentage

If you are having trouble with your 3D prints, a solution to your problem could be to decrease the infill percentage. This solution is useful when specific parts of the print require less internal strength but still call for an outer layer of material. 

Decreasing the infill percentage can also save time while printing since it requires less material overall, making it a great solution to the spaghetti mess that some 3D prints can cause. Utilizing different infill percentages efficiently can ensure that your 3D prints come out strong and free of excess material.

Use a thinner filament

Using a thinner filament could be the solution to your “spaghetti cause” problem. If you’re using a traditional 3D printer, swapping in a thinner filament will give you more control over the printing process. 

You’ll be able to properly manage the layers of material and get more definition out of individual items. In addition, with a finer filament comes better flexibility for items that you want to create multiple times or scale up. Instead of relying on one type of material or size, experiment with varying thicknesses and sizes so you can find what works best for your project. 

With some trial and error, hopefully, you’ll find that a thinner filament serves as the solution to your 3D printing woes!

Use a different brand of filament

Are you tired of dealing with filament “spaghetti” that clogs up your 3D printer nozzles? The solution is simpler than you think – try a different brand of filament! 

Different filaments can have vastly different properties, such as varying melting points, diameter sizes, and colors. With the abundance of brands that are widely available nowadays, it’s worth figuring out and experimenting with which brand is the best for you through trial and error. 

You may even find yourself settling down with a new favorite filament brand that gives you reliable results every time.

Having looked at the causes and solutions to 3D printer spaghetti, it’s also important to have a look at the best 3D printing software. There are many programs available, but we recommend using SelfCAD. SelfCAD is one of easiest 3D modeling software available that you can learn easily and you can use it to create 3D models from scratch or import designs and modify them based on your requirements in the software. You can also use it to prepare files for 3D printing by fixing non manifold errors in your designs and ensure that  it is 3D printable. Get to know how to use the magic fix tool of SelfCAD to fix issues in your meshes in the video below.

After creating your designs, you can use the online slicer of the software to prepare your designs for 3D printing without having to switch to a different software. The video below shows how you can use the slice of SelfCAD to prepare your 3D models for 3D printing.

Conclusion

If your prints are coming out like spaghetti, there are a few things you can do to try to fix the problem. Check your filament amount, make sure you’re using the right type of filament, check your extrusion temperature, and inspect your build plate for warping or damage. 

With a little troubleshooting, you should be able to get your prints looking great in no time!