6 Ways How to Fix 3D Print Coming Out Squished – Z Axis

3D prints coming out squished or squashed is a problem that many people face when it comes to printing. I decided to write an article explaining how to fix this problem once and for all.

To fix 3D prints coming out squished, first you want to level your print bed properly. This should solve the problem for most people. After that, reduce your bed temperature, then check for mechanical issues such as an uneven leadscrew, or screws being too tight on the leadscrew’s brass collet.

Keep reading through to learn the fixes in more detail.

How to Fix 3D Prints Coming Out Squished or Squashed

When your 3D prints come out squished or squashed, there are specific solutions available to solve this problem.

Here’s how to fix 3D prints coming out squished or squashed:

1. Level the print bed
2. Reduce the bed temperature
3. Check for a straight leadscrew and replace if not straight
4. Loosen up the screws on the brass collet of the leadscrew
5. Tighten the top screw on your couple
6. Change your Initial Layer Height

1. Level the Print Bed

One method that works for fixing 3D prints coming out squished or squashed is to level the print bed. The build surface of your 3D printer needs to be level for successful prints. If it is not, it can lead to first-layer issues, including squishing.

One user said he had the same problem in the past which got solved after re-leveling the bed.

Here’s how you level your print bed:

• The bed and nozzle should be pre-heated to normal printing temperatures. You need to auto-home the 3D printer and disable the steppers
• Then put a piece of paper on the bed between the nozzle on each corner of the bed plus the middle and adjust the leveling screws until it touches the paper, but can still be wiggled slightly.
• After that, you need to do a second round of leveling. After that, you do a test print to see how well it adheres to the bed and adjust the leveling screws as needed during extrusion.
• It’s also a good idea to also clean your bed with isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber cloth or a paper towel.

Check out the video below to see how to level your bed.

2. Reduce the Bed Temperature

Another fix for 3D prints coming out squished or squashed is to reduce the bed temperature. High bed temperature can cause your prints to become squished or flattened. This is because when the bed temperature is too high, the plastic filament may become too soft and start to spread outwards.

One user said he experienced this problem due to a slightly higher bed temperature. He sorted it by reducing the temperature of his printing bed from 60°C to 50°C.

You can see the bottom layers in the picture below being squashed.

Another user has managed to solve this issue by lowering the bed temps and increasing the cooling. After that, squishing went away in the bottom layer.

When the bed temperature is too high, the plastic can soften too much, which causes the layers to fuse and create a flattened appearance.

Additionally, if the bed temperature is higher than the recommended temperature for the specific filament you’re using, the filament may start to warp or detach from the build plate.

This can result in squished or squashed looking 3D prints. To avoid this issue, it’s important to use the recommended bed temperature for the specific filament you’re printing with.

Check out the video below that shows how to choose the appropriate bed temperature settings.

3. Check for a Straight Leadscrew & Replace if Not Straight

Another reason for your 3D prints coming out squished can be from not having a straight leadscrew.

If it is not straight, it’s a good idea to change it because that can cause mechanical issues and uneven extrusion.

One user said that he solved this problem by loosening up the screws on the brass collet the Z rod should go through. Also, make sure the Z rod/leadscrew is straight.

You also want to lubricate your leadscrew to ensure things are running smoothly.

4. Loosen Up the Screws on the Brass Collet of the Leadscrew

Loosening up the screws on the brass collet is another method that may work for 3D prints coming out squished or squashed. This can result in a visible pattern on the surface of the printed object, where the layers may appear squished.

One user confirmed that doing this fixed the issue for him. The picture below shows the two screws that hold the brass collet and leadscrew that may need to be loosened.

5. Tighten the Top Screw on Your Coupler

Another fix that may work for 3D prints coming out squished or squashed is to tighten the top screw in the coupler that holds the leadscrew if you have one. Not all 3D printers will have this, so if it doesn’t, don’t worry about this fix.

A loose top screw on a coupler can cause printing issues such as squished prints since the print head movements may not be as precise.

To fix this issue, the loose top screw on the coupler should be tightened. This can ensure that the coupler is securely attached to both the motor shaft and the threaded rod.

One user had this problem and it helped him address it for good. He said that this happened because of the loose top screw in the coupler holding the leadscrew. Once he tightened the top screw on the coupler, the printing layers have become smooth again.

Check out the video below for detailed instructions on how to prevent binding on a leadscrew.

6. Change Your Initial Layer Height

Another possible method of fixing 3D prints coming out squished or squashed is to change your Initial Layer Height setting. When 3D prints come out squished, one of the possible reasons is that the initial layer height is not set correctly, usually too big

One user said this happened to his prints due to the initial first layer settings, which may have caused the elephant foot effect – being squashed at the bottom. According to him, this problem can be fixed by changing the Initial Layer Height.

When you have levelled bed accurately and tried some of the other fixes, lowering your Initial Layer Height can work to fix this issue.

Check out the video below to see how to adjust the initial layer height.