How to Clean 3D Printer Nozzle [7 Effective Methods]

The nozzle of your 3D printer is clogged and no longer lets any filament through or produces unclean print results? So that you can continue printing unhindered, the contamination must be removed - here you will find an overview of the possible cleaning methods and learn how to use them step by step.

Caution: A clogged jet is often a sign of an underlying problem and not just a symptom. That is why it is important to identify and correct the cause of the clog in order to prevent further clogs.

This article will show you how to identify the cause of a clogged nozzle.

Clean the nozzle or replace it immediately?

Depending on the printer type and manufacturer, new nozzles are available for little money - so the question arises as to whether you should simply replace a clogged nozzle with a new one. In the case of heavy contamination and of course a damaged nozzle, it certainly makes sense to save yourself trouble and simply replace the nozzle. Especially with more expensive nozzles, I would recommend trying to clean them first.

Which cleaning method should I use?

There are several ways to clear a clogged nozzle. Which method you should choose depends mainly on the type and degree of clogging (and, of course, on the tools and aids you have available).

First of all, you should take a good look at the nozzle and analyze the clog. If the nozzle is only slightly clogged with small particles, mechanical cleaning, e.g. B. with a needle, sufficient. However, if the nozzle is clogged with material buildup or melt debris, a solvent such as isopropyl alcohol may be required.

Clogged nozzle - 7 ways to clean it

Here are different methods to clear a clogged nozzle - ranked from light to heavy clogs . You should use method 1 regularly to prevent blockages from developing in the first place.

H3: Wipe nozzle with paper towel

This method is particularly useful for preventing clogging in 3D printing. Here you wipe the nozzle with a paper towel before and after printing to free it from liquid filament.

That's how it's done:

1. Heat up the printer to the printing temperature of the filament.
2. Wipe the nozzle with a paper towel (caution: hot!). For a stronger effect, you can dampen the paper towel with a little water. This creates steam, which detaches the filament even better.

Mechanical cleaning with needle or drill

You can easily remove light dirt and deposits with a nozzle cleaner (nozzle needle or nozzle drill). It is a relatively inexpensive and also sustainable method because the tools are not expensive and can theoretically be used again and again.

That's how it's done:

1. Turn off the printer and wait for it to cool down completely.
2. Remove the filament from the printer.
3. Remove the jet from the hotend. Depending on the type of hotend, you may need to loosen a few screws or a clamp to remove the nozzle.
4. Take a nozzle cleaner of a suitable diameter and carefully insert it vertically into the nozzle. Avoid applying too much pressure to avoid damaging the nozzle.
5. Gently move the drill back and forth to dislodge any debris or debris in the nozzle. Caution: If used incorrectly, the nozzle can break!
6. Put the nozzle back into the hotend and fasten it securely.
7. Load the filament back into the printer and start printing.

Incidentally, it does not necessarily have to be a special nozzle cleaner; you can also use a thin sewing needle. It is only important that it is smooth and not too thick, otherwise the nozzle can be damaged quickly. If you are unsure, it is best to use the special tool.

Mechanical cleaning with a wire brush

Heavy deposits on the outside of the nozzle, such as burnt-in filament residue, can be easily removed with a wire brush.

That's how it's done:

1. Turn off the printer and wait for it to cool down completely.
2. Take a wire brush (those available from 3D printing stores are the appropriate size) and gently brush the nozzle from all sides. Attention: Too much pressure and too frequent brushing can damage the nozzle!

Dry cleaning: Soak nozzle in solvent

Cleaning the nozzle with a solvent such as isopropyl alcohol can be effective for stubborn clogs or debris .

That's how it's done:

3. Turn off the printer and wait for it to cool down completely.
4. Remove the filament from the printer.
5. Remove the jet from the hotend. Depending on the type of hotend, you may need to loosen a few screws or a clamp to remove the nozzle.
6. Place the nozzle in a jar of isopropyl alcohol or other suitable solvent suitable for your specific filaments.
7. Let the nozzle soak in the solvent for a few hours or overnight.
8. Remove the nozzle from the solvent and rinse with water to remove any residue.
9. Dry the nozzle thoroughly before reinserting it into the hotend.
10. Secure the nozzle in the hotend.
11. Load the filament back into the printer and start printing.

Important: Make sure you use the correct solvent for the filament you are using, that it does not get into the hotend or other sensitive parts of the printer, and that you dispose of it safely.

Dry Cleaning: Detergent Injection

Chemical cleaning with detergent injection is also suitable for heavy soiling . These are dissolved by injecting a special cleaning solution into the nozzle and taking effect. Caution: This method requires caution as some cleaning solutions can damage the printer or nozzle if not used correctly.

That's how it's done:

1. Inject the cleaning solution into the nozzle according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Let the solution work for a while (follow the manufacturer's instructions here too!).
3. Thoroughly clean the nozzle with water or isopropyl alcohol.

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Printing with cleaning filament

This method prints with a special cleaning filament that removes dirt from the printer. It is suitable for mild to severe constipation .

That's how it's done:

1. Remove the filament from the printer.
2. Load the cleaning material into the printer and heat it (check the manufacturer's instructions for the correct temperature).
3. In the case of heavy soiling, you can leave the material to work for a few minutes, depending on the manufacturer's instructions.
4. Extrude a certain amount until the material comes out clean from the nozzle.
5. Unload the cleaning filament and load the printer with the filament you want to print.

cold-pull process

The cold pull process also uses cleaning material, but instead of printing it, it is pulled out of the printer, allowing any filament contaminants to stick to it and be removed. Attention: This method is more suitable for experienced people, because a certain sensitivity is required when pulling the filament.

That's how it's done:

1. Remove the filament from the printer.
2. Load the cleaning material into the printer and heat it (check the manufacturer's instructions for the correct temperature).
3. Then pull the cleaning material out of the nozzle with a certain force. It should contain some impurities from the old filament that have been removed by the "cold pull" process.

After cleaning

Once the nozzle is back in place, you should calibrate your 3D printer to make sure everything is working properly. Do a test print and check the result. If necessary, you may need to adjust the print settings to get the desired result. After that you can start printing – hopefully with a free nozzle!