Ender 3 V3 KE – Z Offset Overwritten

Ender Series Creality Ender-3 V3 KE/SE
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1

Hi everyone,

I’m running into a really frustrating issue with my Ender 3 V3 KE, and I hope someone here has seen this and might have a solution.

The problem:

  • I calibrated my bed perfectly – mesh ranges from -0.03 to +0.09 mm.

  • I try to set Z offset manually, even using paper to check the nozzle height.

  • As soon as I start the print, the firmware automatically adjusts Z offset higher than I set, even when using the native touchscreen.

  • Nozzle sometimes prints in the air, first layer isn’t consistent, edges have gaps or fraying.

  • I’ve tried different filaments, temperatures, flow rates, disabling cooling, and even sending G-code from external slicers (OrcaSlicer, Cura) – all prints behave the same.

It seems like the Creality-modified firmware / native Klipper automatically applies mesh and dynamic Z compensation, overriding any manual Z offset I set.

Has anyone experienced this? Is there a known way to fully control Z offset manually on the V3 KE, or a workaround to stop the firmware from overriding it?

Thanks in advance!

2

Do you have “auto-z-off” set on? And do you print through WiFi? The stock g-code has the printer run the bed check when sending print from Creality Print. I don’t know where it is (didn’t really want to spend the time) and I just transfer the slice file to a USB drive and print directly from that and don’t choose calibrate.
I just heat my print bed to 60 and let it sit for a 1/2 hour or so before my print session then do a bed calibration check without auto-z off to see if anything is way off. I’ve set my z-off manually after installing the linear bearing upgrade (my bed is almost perfect after playing with it and adding shims etc) and I just use that for each print depending on which style build plate I’m using. I have a list of z-offs for each.