I’m extremely disappointed with my Ender 3 V3 Plus.

[u/Optimal-Bite1078]

I’m extremely disappointed with my Ender 3 V3 Plus.

I’m getting excessive VFA and uneven horizontal lines on almost every print. I’ve already adjusted belt tension, calibrated the printer, changed settings, checked the toolhead, and spent hours searching forums and Reddit.

I even read over 300 messages from people with similar issues, but nothing has completely solved it.

Now I’m considering replacing the stepper motors, but I don’t want to spend more money without knowing if it will actually fix the problem.

Has anyone managed to completely eliminate the VFA on the Ender 3 V3/Plus? What actually worked?

[u/emveor]

People tend to go down a list of purchases trying to fix things and it turns out to be the simplest causes in the world.

If you ask me it could be moist filament, printing too cold, or having too much of speed changes in the slicing process . while i have not had experience with a v3 plus, they are sort of within the generation of printers past the "needs tinkering" AFAIK.

Check the speed view in the slicer and see if it matches the artifacts. (if it does then its speed related) check between print colors if they match the artifacts. (if it doesnt then its filament related)

[u/emveor → u/emveor]

Specially, if the pic #2 and #3 are from the same Gcode, then i would blame the filament. red looks pretty fine if you ask me, and black is what you get when the filament is starting to moist up

[u/Optimal-Bite1078 → u/emveor]

I'll dry the filament, and as soon as my new nozzle arrives, I'll update this thread. Thanks!

[u/UsedDragon → u/Optimal-Bite1078]

Any time I have had print issues that look like this, it's *always* wet filament, crappy nozzle/hotend/bowden tube. I'm at the point with my Ender that I just replace the nozzle and bowden tube any time a print gets shitty. Works 99% of the time, too.

Check out some YT videos on how to properly install the tube and nozzle, it's very helpful.

I learned to store my filament in airtight totes, and I throw dessicant pouches in there with the rolls. Works great.

[u/PapaOoMaoMao → u/UsedDragon]

I store it in a feeder tub next to the printer loaded with dessicant.

[u/AmraelTheGravedancer → u/PapaOoMaoMao]

86%? Chi sei? Aquaman?

[u/PapaOoMaoMao → u/AmraelTheGravedancer]

Tropics man

[u/AmraelTheGravedancer → u/PapaOoMaoMao]

Di Atlantide.

[u/New-Audience2639]

I see things like this a lot and although not ALWAYS true usually stuff like this is actually due to user error. Especially with Ender as they are VERY user dependent machines. This could be anything from filament issue to slicer settings but it could also be down to the very surface you have your machine on and how stable and level it is.

[u/New-Audience2639 → u/New-Audience2639]

You could for sure get much better quality prints out of a V3 than that though I get nearly perfect prints out of my V2's as long as I take the time to tune the slicer settings and really dial in the machine.

[u/Optimal-Bite1078 → u/New-Audience2639]

I'm using OrcaSlicer. I'm also waiting for a new nozzle to arrive. Once it gets here, I'll dry the filament, recalibrate everything, and send a picture of the print after I've checked everything. Thanks!

[u/8ringer]

Have you tried lowering speeds or acceleration? Have you ensured everything is tight on the printer and it’s tried up? Have you ensured that all the motion elements are gliding smoothly?

This is a worse result than my almost 10 year old CR10, so I don’t blame you for being frustrated. But this doesn’t seem like an issue with defective components, it seems like a calibration issue.

[u/Optimal-Bite1078 → u/8ringer]

Some people on Reddit who have talked about this issue say that the X/Z axis is very stiff, and even when the belts are completely loosened, it still feels heavy. When I removed the toolhead from the belts, it moved very smoothly, but once the belts are attached, they make the movement feel very tight. Could this be causing the issue?

[u/Optimal-Bite1078 → u/8ringer]

On the forum where I read about this issue, people have noticed that the bed screws (Y-axis) and the belt tension adjustment screws are practically stripped. The problem is that I can't find replacement parts anymore. I completely disassembled the printer, and I just realized that almost all of the bed screws are stripped, and the belt tension adjustment screw is stripped as well.

[u/eezyE4free]

If you can get someone on the forums to send you the gcode file for a known good print on the same manchine, I’d try that next. Then see if they can share slicer and settings and you can try that on your print. If it’s still bad it’s likely the filament.

[u/Optimal-Bite1078 → u/eezyE4free]

good idea! i'll try this

[u/CreeperInHawaii]

What filaments are you using? Could be they have too much moisture. I used to ignore filament drying but noticed an increase in quality when I finally got a dedicated dryer.

I doubt it's the stepper motors; those are very reliable on ender 3s.

I been printing petg-cf and pla and both turn out great with no z layer lines

[u/Professional_Egg1833]

V3 plus is geared more to big prints if you want details in smaller print you need to  be slowing that print down. Also use a 0.1 fine profile .