<p>The best thing that you can do <strong><em>first</em></strong> is find out <strong><em>whether you extrude the correct amount of filament</em></strong> before trying all sorts of things. You clearly have an under-extrusion problem. Please look into question: "<a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/6483/how-do-i-calibrate-the-extruder-of-my-printer">How do I calibrate the extruder of my printer?</a>".</p>

<p>The reason why you aren't extruding can be found in e.g. <a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/a/7755/5740">this answer</a>. Note that the list in the answer excludes the stepper driver. If the current is too low, the torque is too low to push the filament (see <a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/a/7703/5740">this similar answer for stepper torque</a>). </p>

<hr>

<p><strong><em>Side note</strong>:<br>
Note that a properly setup extruder never has a need to adjust the flow unless the extruder is calibrated for 1.75&nbsp;mm filament and the used filament is of different diameter.</em></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-22T15:14:41.747Z
2018-12-22T15:14:41.747Z
0scar
<p>The failure you are faicing is underextrusion. Underextrusion can have several reasons. Among the three most common I encountered in <em>my</em> printers:</p>

<ul>
<li>The nozzle could be clogged, hindering flow (Very crushy, squishy prints after it worked fine before)

<ul>
<li>Dissemble the filament path till you can push an acupuncture needle through the hotend, heat it, press out all filament, reassemble. </li>
</ul></li>
<li>The extruder might be skipping steps or shredding filament

<ul>
<li>check if it is just not gripping the filament, not turning at all or clicking.</li>
<li>real Troubleshooting might be needed</li>
</ul></li>
<li>The g-code might have a bad setup for the filament you are using - try upping the <a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/a/6969/8884">higher extrusion multiplier/flow rate</a> and print at least 2 walls!

<ul>
<li>In Ultimaker Cura: Custom > Material > Flow</li>
</ul></li>
</ul>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/xjBlR.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/xjBlR.png" alt="Flow Rate"></a></p>

<ul>
<li>If not there yet: Gear > Material > hook Flow</li>
</ul>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/vuE18.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/vuE18.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-22T13:33:38.073Z
What's the extrusion multiplier?  Is it something I can set in Cura?
BanksySan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-22T14:00:45.030Z
I've got settings for wall thickness, wall count and some for specifically top & bottom (https://imgur.com/s1mqhK0).
BanksySan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-22T14:15:06.487Z
I have `Material > Flow`.  That's a 100%, should I up that a bit?
BanksySan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-22T14:19:01.803Z
@BanksySan Yes, that is the setting. Try 105%. if that does nothing, your nozzle most likely is clogged.
Trish
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-22T18:51:40.820Z
On some printers there might be a spring or similar to push the filament towards the extruder. An untightened spring can also cause this behaviour (happened to me quite a few times)
msrd0
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-22T13:27:16.433Z
2018-12-22T18:56:25.437Z
2018-12-22T18:56:25.437Z
Trish
<p>I printed out this calibration shape from <a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2656594" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Thingiverse</a> with an unexpectedly catastrophic failure.  It looks like there are <em>a lot</em> of things wrong here.</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/V7QlZ.jpg" alt="Front View">
<img src="https://i.sstatic.net/QbZTR.jpg" alt="Side View"></p>

<p>I used the <code>Normal</code> profile in Ultimaker Cura.</p>

<p>There's so much bad in this print that I'm not sure where to start.</p>

<ol>
<li>It appears that walls weren't printed at all.  </li>
<li>Resolution is way below par.  </li>
<li>Overhangs are collapsing (not sure if that would be expected at those angles)</li>
<li>The in-filling is inconsistent and "blobby".</li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-30T14:26:32.090Z
What printer are you using? Before going through all the steps outlined in the answers below, I would first do a thorough maintenance and cleaning of the printer, following the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Sava
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-30T18:13:10.450Z
@Sava I've done that, it's a brand new printer.  I found a pre-configured version of Cura for this printer and using that made everything OK.  I'll figure out what is actually wrong at a later date.
BanksySan
<print-quality>
Dramatic failure of calibration print
BanksySan
# Dramatic failure of calibration print

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-12-22)

I printed out this calibration shape from [Thingiverse](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2656594) with an unexpectedly catastrophic failure. It looks like there are *a lot* of things wrong here.

![Front View](https://i.sstatic.net/V7QlZ.jpg)
![Side View](https://i.sstatic.net/QbZTR.jpg)

I used the `Normal` profile in Ultimaker Cura.

There's so much bad in this print that I'm not sure where to start.

1. It appears that walls weren't printed at all.
2. Resolution is way below par.
3. Overhangs are collapsing (not sure if that would be expected at those angles)
4. The in-filling is inconsistent and "blobby".

**Tags:** print-quality

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What printer are you using? Before going through all the steps outlined in the answers below, I would first do a thorough maintenance and cleaning of the printer, following the instructions provided by the manufacturer.  
> **username_0**: @username_1 I've done that, it's a brand new printer.  I found a pre-configured version of Cura for this printer and using that made everything OK.  I'll figure out what is actually wrong at a later date.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2018-12-22. Score: 2

The best thing that you can do ***first*** is find out ***whether you extrude the correct amount of filament*** before trying all sorts of things. You clearly have an under-extrusion problem. Please look into question: "[How do I calibrate the extruder of my printer?](https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/6483/how-do-i-calibrate-the-extruder-of-my-printer)".

The reason why you aren't extruding can be found in e.g. [this answer](https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/a/7755/5740). Note that the list in the answer excludes the stepper driver. If the current is too low, the torque is too low to push the filament (see [this similar answer for stepper torque](https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/a/7703/5740)).

---

***Side note***:  
Note that a properly setup extruder never has a need to adjust the flow unless the extruder is calibrated for 1.75 mm filament and the used filament is of different diameter.


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2018-12-22. Score: 2

The failure you are faicing is underextrusion. Underextrusion can have several reasons. Among the three most common I encountered in *my* printers:

* The nozzle could be clogged, hindering flow (Very crushy, squishy prints after it worked fine before)
  + Dissemble the filament path till you can push an acupuncture needle through the hotend, heat it, press out all filament, reassemble.
* The extruder might be skipping steps or shredding filament
  + check if it is just not gripping the filament, not turning at all or clicking.
  + real Troubleshooting might be needed
* The g-code might have a bad setup for the filament you are using - try upping the [higher extrusion multiplier/flow rate](https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/a/6969/8884) and print at least 2 walls!
  + In Ultimaker Cura: Custom > Material > Flow

[![Flow Rate](https://i.sstatic.net/xjBlR.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/xjBlR.png)

* If not there yet: Gear > Material > hook Flow

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/vuE18.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/vuE18.png)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: What's the extrusion multiplier?  Is it something I can set in Cura?  
> **username_0**: I've got settings for wall thickness, wall count and some for specifically top & bottom (https://imgur.com/s1mqhK0).  
> **username_0**: I have `Material > Flow`.  That's a 100%, should I up that a bit?  
> **username_3**: @username_0 Yes, that is the setting. Try 105%. if that does nothing, your nozzle most likely is clogged.  
> **username_4**: On some printers there might be a spring or similar to push the filament towards the extruder. An untightened spring can also cause this behaviour (happened to me quite a few times)  

---

