Extruder clicking or grinding filament
The extruder makes a clicking or knocking sound and the filament has bite marks or is worn flat.
Also described as clicking, extruder skipping, grinding filament, filament chewed, knocking noise, extruder slipping
Try these in order
Most likely and quickest to check first. Change one thing at a time so you know what fixed it.
Blocked or partly blocked nozzle
If plastic can't get out, the extruder gears slip on the filament.
- Clear the nozzle with a cold pull or replace it.
Nozzle too close on the first layer
- Clicking only on the first layer usually means the Z offset is too low. Raise it slightly.
Too fast or too cold
- Slow down or raise the temperature by 5 to 10 °C.
- Limit the maximum volumetric speed in the slicer.
Extruder tension wrong
- Too tight crushes the filament, too loose slips. Set it so the gears leave light, even marks.
- Brush the plastic dust out of the drive gear teeth.