<p>If you're extruding into the air, it's actually quite normal for the filament to come out in seemingly random directions. This shouldn't cause problems because the filament should always be getting squished onto the bed/layer underneath (or during bridging, getting stretched). The way the filament comes out in free air doesn't reflect how it behaves during printing.</p>

<p>If you are experiencing troubles then perhaps the nozzle is clogged with a small piece of debris (or, unlikely) the nozzle is actually damaged. There's little you can do to prevent that apart from using high quality filament and being careful not to damage the nozzle.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-24T21:56:46.163Z
You beat me to it! :)
Tormod Haugene
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-24T18:52:06.070Z
2016-01-24T18:52:06.070Z
Tom van der Zanden
<p>You very likely have partial clog in your hotend (the side which is clogged is the angle the extruding filament bends to) or have some plastic somehow stuck on the nozzle surface which the extruding plastic almost sticks to, like two droplets of water merging into one.</p>

<p>If its the latter, clean the hotend. It's easier to remove the plastic on it while its hot and soft, but don't burn yourself.</p>

<p>If it's a clog, that's more complicated.
First, you can make sure if it is indeed a clog or not by extruding into the air and measuring the wire with a caliper.
If it's thinner than it should be and your slicer settings are fine, then its a clog.</p>

<p>Ways to get rid of clog:</p>

<p>1) Replace the nozzle with a new one.</p>

<p>2) Break the clog with a sharp wire.</p>

<p>3) Take the hotend off and clean the nozzle with acetone ("acetone bath").</p>

<p>4) Blow torch on a removed nozzle. Dangerous thing to do for some but it works. If you're not confident or experienced to do this and the previous two solutions don't help, then go with option 1.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-08T17:52:26.233Z
2016-02-08T17:52:26.233Z
Leo Ervin
<p>I've personally had this happen when I had a minor clog in my nozzle. </p>

<p>My first steps to fix this would be:</p>

<ol>
<li>Make sure the exterior of your nozzle is clean. I've had bits of plastic pull at the extruding filament and change it's direction.</li>
<li>Attempt a "cold pull" or "<a href="http://support.3dverkstan.se/article/10-the">atomic pull</a>". On my Replicator 2 I do this by removing the extruder motor, heating up the hot end, manually pushing a length of filament through the nozzle, letting it cool slightly and tugging the filament (and hopefully the clog) out of the nozzle.</li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-25T15:29:29.957Z
Also make sure that you change filaments the cleanest way possible. As suggested a cold pull can be used:
http://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/233/how-should-i-clean-my-extruder-when-changing-materials
kamuro
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-24T19:49:52.140Z
2016-01-24T19:49:52.140Z
TheNewHobbyist
<p>On one of the nozzles on my printer, the filament comes out at a 45 degree angle.  It seems that this causes problems with adhesion to the bed and overall quality.</p>

<ul>
<li>What caused this problem? </li>
<li>How do I fix it? </li>
<li>How do I prevent it from
happening in the future?</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-24T14:12:28.493Z
When you say extruder, do you mean the nozzle?
Tormod Haugene
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-24T14:45:54.863Z
I corrected it.
Eric Johnson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-24T21:57:22.183Z
@TextGeek, I believe Eric was referring to the spelling, not the question. ;)
Tormod Haugene
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-27T01:05:38.030Z
@EricJohnson Has this question been resolved for you, or are you still looking for an answer?
tbm0115
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-27T01:44:55.327Z
Yes, I used a thin wire to clean the nozzle.  I also did a series of pulls to remove the debris higher in the extruder.
Eric Johnson
<maintenance><extruder><extrusion>
Filament extrudes at an angle
Eric Johnson
# Filament extrudes at an angle

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-01-24)

On one of the nozzles on my printer, the filament comes out at a 45 degree angle. It seems that this causes problems with adhesion to the bed and overall quality.

* What caused this problem?
* How do I fix it?
* How do I prevent it from
  happening in the future?

**Tags:** maintenance, extruder, extrusion

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: When you say extruder, do you mean the nozzle?  
> **username_0**: I corrected it.  
> **username_1**: @TextGeek, I believe username_0 was referring to the spelling, not the question. ;)  
> **username_2**: @username_0 Has this question been resolved for you, or are you still looking for an answer?  
> **username_0**: Yes, I used a thin wire to clean the nozzle.  I also did a series of pulls to remove the debris higher in the extruder.  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_5 on 2016-01-24. Score: 7 | Accepted answer

I've personally had this happen when I had a minor clog in my nozzle.

My first steps to fix this would be:

1. Make sure the exterior of your nozzle is clean. I've had bits of plastic pull at the extruding filament and change it's direction.
2. Attempt a "cold pull" or "[atomic pull](http://support.3dverkstan.se/article/10-the)". On my Replicator 2 I do this by removing the extruder motor, heating up the hot end, manually pushing a length of filament through the nozzle, letting it cool slightly and tugging the filament (and hopefully the clog) out of the nozzle.

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: Also make sure that you change filaments the cleanest way possible. As suggested a cold pull can be used: http://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/233/how-should-i-clean-my-extruder-when-changing-materials  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2016-01-24. Score: 6

If you're extruding into the air, it's actually quite normal for the filament to come out in seemingly random directions. This shouldn't cause problems because the filament should always be getting squished onto the bed/layer underneath (or during bridging, getting stretched). The way the filament comes out in free air doesn't reflect how it behaves during printing.

If you are experiencing troubles then perhaps the nozzle is clogged with a small piece of debris (or, unlikely) the nozzle is actually damaged. There's little you can do to prevent that apart from using high quality filament and being careful not to damage the nozzle.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: You beat me to it! :)  

---

### Answer by username_4 on 2016-02-08. Score: 1

You very likely have partial clog in your hotend (the side which is clogged is the angle the extruding filament bends to) or have some plastic somehow stuck on the nozzle surface which the extruding plastic almost sticks to, like two droplets of water merging into one.

If its the latter, clean the hotend. It's easier to remove the plastic on it while its hot and soft, but don't burn yourself.

If it's a clog, that's more complicated.
First, you can make sure if it is indeed a clog or not by extruding into the air and measuring the wire with a caliper.
If it's thinner than it should be and your slicer settings are fine, then its a clog.

Ways to get rid of clog:

1) Replace the nozzle with a new one.

2) Break the clog with a sharp wire.

3) Take the hotend off and clean the nozzle with acetone ("acetone bath").

4) Blow torch on a removed nozzle. Dangerous thing to do for some but it works. If you're not confident or experienced to do this and the previous two solutions don't help, then go with option 1.


---

