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If material is not consistently flowing from the nozzle, this can show as little gaps in the print, irregular layers, or missing layers. In the worst case, no material extrudes from the nozzle at all anymore.
There can be several causes for extrusion issues. This page contains some tips for your Ultimaker 2 or Ultimaker 2 Extended.
Loading the material correctly and choosing the right settings are important to ensure good extrusion. Check the tips below:
| Load material |
When loading a new material spool, ensure that you follow the steps on the display correctly. When the filament is visible in the Bowden tube above the feeder, select Ready to start fast-forwarding to the print head. If you wait too long, this can cause grinding. Learn more about material loading on the Ultimaker 2 here. |
| Material settings |
Ensure that the selected material in the menu matches the material type installed on the printer. You can change the material type or customize the temperature settings via the Material > Settings menu. Learn more about material settings on the Ultimaker 2 here. |
| Filament diameter | Ultimaker 3D printers are designed for use with 2.85 mm filament. When using a third-party material, ensure that the filament diameter is correct and consistent. 1.75 mm filament cannot be used on the Ultimaker 2. |
| Move material | It can help to manually move the material through the feeder. Go to Maintenance > Advanced > Move material and wait for the nozzle to heat up. Use the controller button to move the filament backward and forward and try to extrude some. |
If you are experiencing extrusion problems during printing, you may hear a ticking sound at the feeder. This is an indication that the feeder's knurled wheel is skipping back. This is a symptom rather than the cause of the problem. Correctly maintaining the feeder can help to prevent extrusion problems. If you already have issues, apply corrective feeder maintenance before starting your next print.
| Clean the feeder |
Small filament particles can accumulate in the feeder at the back of the printer. Especially when you see signs of grinding on the material, clean the feeder. In that case, it is also recommended to clean the Bowden tube. |
| Feeder tension |
Too much tension on the feeder can cause grinding, while too little tension can lead to filament slipping. Both will cause extrusion problems. Use a hex key or screwdriver to adjust the feeder tension when necessary. |
Learn more about the Ultimaker 2 feeder maintenance on this page.
Dirt or carbonized material inside the nozzle can prevent material from flowing through. The nozzle can get gradually blocked over time, or when material is left in the hot nozzle for a while without extrusion.
Cleaning the inside of the nozzle is a simple process that does not require disassembly of the print head. You will only need to disconnect the Bowden tube.
Learn how to clean the inside of the nozzle of the Ultimaker 2 on this page.
Tip: This process is corrective maintenance for when the nozzle is blocked, but it is also recommended to do this preventively when switching between material types that have very different printing temperatures.
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| Manually insert filament | Pull out the material | Cold pull tip results |
The PTFE coupler is the white part of the hot end inside the print head. This is a consumable part and can wear out over time under normal operating conditions. This is due to the high temperatures at the bottom and the pressure from the spring at the top. After many printing hours, the inside of this part can deform. It is recommended to check this part every three to six months (depending on your printing hours) or if you have persistent extrusion issues.
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| The PTFE coupler is the white part in the middle of the print head |
The left coupler is brand new and the one on the right is worn and should be replaced
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Some simple ways to check the state of the coupler are:
| Look into the print head |
Remove the Bowden tube from the print head and look through the hole at the top. You should see a smooth, round hole through which the filament passes. If you notice a burnt edge or burs, the PTFE coupler is worn out. |
| Manually insert filament |
If you can't easily see a defect, you can also feel with a piece of filament. With the Bowden tube removed, manually insert a piece of filament into the print head. Push it against the inner edge of the hot end. If you feel a clear ridge somewhere, this is an indication that the PTFE coupler is worn out. |
If the coupler must be replaced, or you want to check in more detail, this requires a complete disassembly of the print head.
For in-depth advice on how to fix under-extrusion on Ultimaker 3D printers, please visit the page below:
The Ultimaker Extrusion Upgrade Kit for the Ultimaker 2 and Ultimaker 2 Extended contains an improved geared feeder for more reliable material feeding and swappable nozzles for greater flexibility. Consider upgrading your Ultimaker 2 to an Ultimaker 2+. Contact your local reseller, or visit this section for more information.
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