I received this new K1C two days ago. It printed Benchy and one of my own designs fine using the supplied white Creality filament. Lsast night I loaded some 3D Innovators PLA, and began printing one of my designs. It began printing OK, but I was running late, so I canceled the job.
This morning, the filament is stuck in the extruder. Heating the nozzle to 230C and pressing Extrude and Retract causes the extruder to make clicking sounds, but the filament does not move.
If I move the lever on top to the unlock position, I can’t pull the filament out or push it in. In the lock position, if I pull on the filament while the extruder is trying to extrude or retract, I do not feel any vibrations. It’s like the filament is stuck AHEAD of the extrusion wheels.
Is there a way to get inside the extruder to free the filament? I’ve seen photos of the wheels, but don’t know how to get the cover off.
That is an easy fix, once you know how to take it apart.
The cover is held on by magnets. They are strong, so it takes a bit of a force to pull it strait back towards you, especially at the top. Once you remove the cover you will see a sticker that shows what screws to remove to take out the gear drive assembly. Remove the feed tube at the top by pressing the locking ring and pulling up. Since there is spring loaded gears in the assembly, remove it carefully. You also should be able to remove the extruder nozzle prior to removing the gear drive.
There likely are videos on Youtube for the process, but it’s actually pretty easy. They did a nice job with that part of the printer for service.
I got it apart. Looking at the outlet hole, I see green filament inside. Pushing the long wire tool with the top loop through with the gears released does not dislodge the green filament. (Photos attached, I hope.
Should I use a small drill bit in a pin vise to remove the filament?
I think I uploaded two photos; let’s see if they make it.
Next question: Why did this happen? I was printing and decided to stop for the night. I touched the Stop button on the LCD, then shut off power. Should i have retracted the filament before shutting down? I’ve never done that on my other Creality printer or my AnyCubic printer.
I hesitate to try the print again tonight.
Thanks again for the help. I hope this new printer isn’t going to pose a boatload of problems.
Thanks. The humidity in my house is very stable at 36% year-round. I’ve never had any problems with humidity. Even so, I store my PLA spools in Zip-lock bags with dessicant pouches.
