I just bought my son a Ender 3 3d printer. It’s not a v3. It was like 180 bucks. Put it together correctly checked it multiple times everything works but when I try to print the filament comes out hard and stringy and definitely does not stick to the bed. I have tried 2 diff brands of filament. Multiple temp settings for nozzle and bed. I have no clue what I’m doing but this is brand new. So I’m not sure of the problem. With it being brand new I wouldn’t think anything should be wrong. Any input would be appreciated.
So do you have an idea which ender it is? A picture of the printer might help. Or the nameplate.
Hello @Jtbad1212 …! 
Welcome to the Creality Forum…! 
You have one of the original Ender released in 2018. You can tell by the main board fan on those is facing up. They later changed this to keep filament pieces from falling in.
Also the build plate did not come off like the magnetic ones now do…
Info credit to this Blog
Do you have any clue what I could try to get the filament to not come out hard stringy and not stick to bed. I’ve tried nozzle temps from 200 to 240 and bed temps from 50-70 nothing changes. I tried a diff filament. Nothing should be stopped up or wrong it’s brand new. Plz help
This printer has a manual leveling procedure that must be followed.
Using PLA filament…?
Yes pla filament. And I have leveled the bed just as everything said.
[quote=“Jtbad1212, post:6, topic:17889”]
come out hard stringy
[/quote]…the only thing I can think of is…even though your settings show 200/240 filament temperature…what is coming out isn’t heated that high. You should be able to see it almost dripping… if it is heated enough. Is it possible that you have the 220/110 switch set wrong? That is pretty common for first time users. Check that and come on back.
so first off, i dont know if i would have bought THAT printer. its really old. and full of problems, and needs LOTS of Modifications.
the best Cheap E3 is the Max Neo.
you can get it on amazon for $245.
and it has a big bed. 300mm x 300mm
if you deside to keep it, the first real upgrade mod i would do would be to get a Creality Sonic Pad and a Direct Drive Extruder.
sonic pad is $100.
extruder is $40.
now, about your problem…
does the filament look Fried and Crispy or does it look spaghetti, just nice and squiggly ?
fried and crispy it means youre Over Cooking it.
Spaghetti usually means your bed isnt hot enough.
your bed temp for PLA really needs to be 50-60°C
(easy math to convert °C to °F °Cx1.8+32=°F)
[°F to °C is just °F-32÷1.8=°C]
if your bed is too cold, it wont stick.
even though ppl say you can print PLA on a Cold Bed, you really shouldnt. the heat helts it stick.
but too much heat will make it too soft and will warp your parts.
also, if your house air conditioner is blowing on the printer, that will cause headaches too.
best thing to do is use an Enclosure. can get on amazon for like $75.
make sure the Nozzle is nice and tight. if it is loose it will not heat correctly. you should use a 4mm wrench or socket, andmake sure it is “Snug-and-a-Tug” tight.
meaning, just snug it up hand tight, and give it a little pull. it does NOT need more than 2-FT# if tourge.
lol its not a car tire lug.
also, make sure the Extruder/Part Fan is NOT running at 100%. for the first few layers you only need like 5% fan speed. the filament will cool down on its own.
i Never run my fans at 100% for anything.
hell, i only use 75% for bridging.