How to Stop Stringing in 3D Prints

Stringing leaves thin hairs of plastic between parts of a print. It is common and usually easy to fix.

Common causes

• Wet filament
• A nozzle temperature that is too high
• Too little retraction
• Slow travel moves

How to fix it

• Dry the filament first, because moisture causes oozing and popping sounds.
• Lower the nozzle temperature in small steps of about 5 °C.
• Increase the retraction distance and speed a little at a time. Direct-drive and Bowden printers need different values.
• Increase the travel speed so the nozzle spends less time moving over gaps.

Test it

Print a stringing or retraction test model, change one setting at a time, and keep the one that gives the cleanest result.

This is general guidance. Always follow your printer manufacturer's instructions.

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