How to Fix 3D Printer Filament Stuck on Spool
Reading Time: 5 minutes Filaments getting stuck on the spool occur commonly in 3D printing when the loose end of the filament is not secured. This can lead to a waste of time and materials. I decided to look into the best way to fix this issue if you have been experiencing it.
To fix 3D printer filament stuck on spool you should unwind the filament from the spool by pulling it off the side of the roll. After that, carefully wind the filament back on while keeping it under tension. This is the easiest method. You can prevent this from happening by making sure to store your filament properly.
Keep on reading through this article to learn more about solving this problem once and for all.
How to Fix 3D Printer Filament Stuck on Spool
Here are some of the best ways to fix 3D printer filament stuck on spool:
- Store the filament properly
- Get rid of any tangles
- Use a different spool holder
- Change filament path
1. Store the Filament Properly
One way to fix the 3D printer filament stuck on spool is to store it properly. Improper storage of the filament can cause it to get stuck while being fed into your 3D printer.
Leaving the loose end of the filament dangling after use or tucking it underneath the rest of the filament on the spool (like some people do) can cause tangles and knots, which will stop your 3D printing process.
The best way to store your filament is to properly tuck the loose end into the storage holes on the side of the roll. This ensures that the filament is secured at all times and maintains the necessary tension to avoid tangling.
You should also store your filament in an organized space such as a toolbox, or this Iverntech Filament Rack to reduce the chances of tangles developing.
One user whose filament was stuck was advised to unwind it a little on the spool and then take off several loops at once and reroll it once they got rid of the knot. They were also advised to always push the loose end through one of the holes on the spool immediately after taking it out of the hot end.
Another user said that they use a filament clip for storage and even recommended it. The filament clip holds the loose end in place and prevents your spool from unraveling, which usually leads to tangling and knots.
Check out the video below to see how you can properly store 3D printer filament to prevent it from sticking on the spool.
2. Get Rid of Any Tangles
Another method of fixing 3D printer filament stuck on spool is getting rid of any tangles before loading it into your 3D printer.
Most 3D printer filament spools come from the manufacturer with no tangles or knots. However, there are rare occasions when unreliable manufacturers send you a defective product with tangles in the rolls.
Other times, improper handling of the filament roll immediately after unwrapping it can cause tangles to form. In both cases, the best thing to do is unwind the spool till you locate the tangles or knots.
Once the filament is unstuck, rewind it slowly onto the roll. Keep the tension by pressing down on one part of the spool. As an extra precaution, try not to bend the filament, as this will ruin it.
One user recommends unspooling 10-15 feet of the filament to locate any tangles. Remove the tangles and roll the filament back up while preventing the end from getting loose. They also added that they use a small binder clip to keep the end of the filament clipped to the side of the spool.
Another user complained that their prints got ruined because the filament got stuck in the roll.
https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/pb8grs/first_overnight_print_ruined_because_the_filament/
Check out this video by Maker’s Muse on how to fix filament tangles.
3. Use a Different Spool Holder
A way of fixing 3D printer filament stuck on spool is to use a tighter, firmer spool holder. One of the main reasons your filament keeps getting tangled is that your spool holder is very loose.
A loose spool holder fails to keep the filament in tension and allows slack to travel through your spool, causing it to unravel. Loose spool holders also spin very freely, making it difficult to feed the filament into the 3D printer.
To prevent this, it is important to make sure that the spool holder is tight and secure. If it is loose, tighten the bolts and screws that hold it in place.
Some 3D printers have adjustable spool holders that allow you to adjust the tension on the filament, making it easier to feed into the printer without getting stuck.
One user mentioned that they had a problem with the filament getting stuck when using the out-of-the-box spool holder. This caused the spool and filament to have too much lateral movement while printing.
Additionally, the spool holder couldn’t prevent the spool from losing tension on the filament. He suggested printing a clip-on filament guide that would prevent the filament from tangling. He also suggested printing a better spool holder.
I found the video below particularly useful when printing a sturdy spool holder.
Here is another one on how you can fix a loose spool holder.
4. Clean the Filament Path
You can also clean the filament path regularly to get rid of dirt, dust, and debris. These elements can cause blockages within the filament path, causing the filament to get stuck. Using a small nylon brush will work perfectly fine for the exterior.
When it comes to the interior, I like to use a compressed air canister to blow out all the dust, dirt, and debris from the filament path.
One user had an issue with the filament tangling on the spool while they were doing a 3-hour print. In response, a member who faced the same situation from time to time noted that printing a dust filter would help the spool not unravel and get crossovers.
He added that the dust filters needed to be filled with cut-up sponges in order to increase their efficiency.
This video explains how you can clean your filament without damaging it.
