Uploaded November 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this video I will show you the cause of under extrusion on two of my Creality machines, the K1C and the K1 Max. Oddly both happened around the same time and although there can be several reasons for under extrusion, this failure mode that I experienced seems to be the least common. However, it might be the most difficult to diagnose as you need to know what to look for.
I'll talk you through the diagnose of the problem. First, if you are experiencing under extrusion and you can hear your extruder clicking then you likely have a full jam in the extruder or the hot end. Filament cannot move through the hot end path and the motor is stalling. In that case, check out my two videos on how to remove your extruder and check for obstructed gears, and remove and replace the hot end and clear the filament path:
K1 printers:
► youtu.be/DckwTNisQVU
Ender 3 V3 style:
► youtu.be/fI2l2LSkEME
However, if your extruder gears are still turning and there is no clicking noise, then you may have only a partial clog in the hotend. In which case you can try and use the filament plunger tool, the needle tool to clean the orifice of the nozzle, or even remove the nozzle and hot end to try and clear the partial blockage in the throat. If that doesn't work you might need a new hot end and nozzle. (As an Amazon associate I may earn a small commission at NO extra cost to you):
► amzn.to/4922VQY
► https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dmg5VGH
If you have the old "Volcano" style nozzle with the early K1 and K1 Max, I have hardened steel nozzles for those machines here:
► embracemaking.com/products/creality-k1-hardened-steel-nozzle
If the problem persists, you may find yourself here at this video looking for help. One thing to check is the loss of tension in your extruder. This can happen when the bearings in the filament drive gears wear out or completely fail. This was what happened on both of my extruders and technically you should check this first as you won't need to spend any money or throw any parts at your printer as you can identify this pretty easily.
As I showed in the video, if your extruder drive gears are wobbling eccentrically around the shoulder screws holding them in place, then the bearings are probably worn. Now you have two options, replace the whole extruder, or rebuild your extruder will all metal gears (which come with new bearings).
All Metal Extruder Gears:
► amzn.to/40Zelmk
► https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DF9sZeh
Creality High Tension Extruder:
► amzn.to/3CHa5y1
*** I recently put together a troubleshooting guide for solving under extrusion on these printers ***
► embracemaking.com/blogs/resources/troubleshooting-creality-under-extrusion
If you found this guide helpful you can check out some of my filament related products on my website. Many of which optimize the filament path and reduce friction and complications when loading and unloading filament.
Universal Top Mount Spool Stand
► embracemaking.com/products/universal-top-mount-spool-stand
Spool Stand X
► embracemaking.com/products/spool-stand-x
Super Deluxe Spool Holder
► embracemaking.com/products/super-deluxe-spool-holder
PTFE Tube Kit
► embracemaking.com/products/ptfe-tube-2m-and-tube-cutter
In addition to the products listed above, I have plenty of different style K1, K1C, K1 Max, and Ender 3 flex plates with various transfer patterns and effects. See the link below!
► embracemaking.com/collections/creality-ender-3/Ender-3
► embracemaking.com/collections/creality-k1-k1-max
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, I would love to hear from you in the comments section below.
A few other cool tools and things for 3D printer enthusiasts (As an Amazon associate I may earn a small commission at NO extra cost to you):
Polymaker PolyTerra PLA (One of my favorite filaments):
► amzn.to/3sdhK1x
eSUN PLA+ (Another one of my favorite filaments):
► amzn.to/3QA4tuq
Electric Screwdriver:
► amzn.to/3JRbbZe
Velcro Tie Wrap Rolls
► amzn.to/42jr3dX
Thank you for watching!
#creality #crealityk1c #ender3v3
0:00 Intro
0:47 Heat the Nozzle
1:33 Diagnose the problem
3:30 Solutions
4:02 All Metal Gears
****************************************************************
If you enjoy and have benefited from my content and are feeling generous I would love your support! You can "buy me a coffee" here:
► paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=V2T6MEFUGP73Y
By supporting my channel you are encouraging me to continue with this time consuming endeavor. A lot of time goes into design work, building my projects, filming the videos, editing the videos, etc. Plus it all costs money! Your generosity goes a long way in helping me bring you better content as often as I can!
Follow me on Instagram!
► instagram.com/embracemaking
In this video I will show you the cause of under extrusion on two of my Creality machines, the K1C and the K1 Max. Oddly both happened around the same time and although there can be several reasons for under extrusion, this failure mode that I experienced seems to be the least common. However, it might be the most difficult to diagnose as you need to know what to look for.
I'll talk you through the diagnose of the problem. First, if you are experiencing under extrusion and you can hear your extruder clicking then you likely have a full jam in the extruder or the hot end. Filament cannot move through the hot end path and the motor is stalling. In that case, check out my two videos on how to remove your extruder and check for obstructed gears, and remove and replace the hot end and clear the filament path:
K1 printers:
► youtu.be/DckwTNisQVU
Ender 3 V3 style:
► youtu.be/fI2l2LSkEME
However, if your extruder gears are still turning and there is no clicking noise, then you may have only a partial clog in the hotend. In which case you can try and use the filament plunger tool, the needle tool to clean the orifice of the nozzle, or even remove the nozzle and hot end to try and clear the partial blockage in the throat. If that doesn't work you might need a new hot end and nozzle. (As an Amazon associate I may earn a small commission at NO extra cost to you):
► amzn.to/4922VQY
► https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dmg5VGH
If you have the old "Volcano" style nozzle with the early K1 and K1 Max, I have hardened steel nozzles for those machines here:
► embracemaking.com/products/creality-k1-hardened-steel-nozzle
If the problem persists, you may find yourself here at this video looking for help. One thing to check is the loss of tension in your extruder. This can happen when the bearings in the filament drive gears wear out or completely fail. This was what happened on both of my extruders and technically you should check this first as you won't need to spend any money or throw any parts at your printer as you can identify this pretty easily.
As I showed in the video, if your extruder drive gears are wobbling eccentrically around the shoulder screws holding them in place, then the bearings are probably worn. Now you have two options, replace the whole extruder, or rebuild your extruder will all metal gears (which come with new bearings).
All Metal Extruder Gears:
► amzn.to/40Zelmk
► https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DF9sZeh
Creality High Tension Extruder:
► amzn.to/3CHa5y1
*** I recently put together a troubleshooting guide for solving under extrusion on these printers ***
► embracemaking.com/blogs/resources/troubleshooting-creality-under-extrusion
If you found this guide helpful you can check out some of my filament related products on my website. Many of which optimize the filament path and reduce friction and complications when loading and unloading filament.
Universal Top Mount Spool Stand
► embracemaking.com/products/universal-top-mount-spool-stand
Spool Stand X
► embracemaking.com/products/spool-stand-x
Super Deluxe Spool Holder
► embracemaking.com/products/super-deluxe-spool-holder
PTFE Tube Kit
► embracemaking.com/products/ptfe-tube-2m-and-tube-cutter
In addition to the products listed above, I have plenty of different style K1, K1C, K1 Max, and Ender 3 flex plates with various transfer patterns and effects. See the link below!
► embracemaking.com/collections/creality-ender-3/Ender-3
► embracemaking.com/collections/creality-k1-k1-max
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, I would love to hear from you in the comments section below.
A few other cool tools and things for 3D printer enthusiasts (As an Amazon associate I may earn a small commission at NO extra cost to you):
Polymaker PolyTerra PLA (One of my favorite filaments):
► amzn.to/3sdhK1x
eSUN PLA+ (Another one of my favorite filaments):
► amzn.to/3QA4tuq
Electric Screwdriver:
► amzn.to/3JRbbZe
Velcro Tie Wrap Rolls
► amzn.to/42jr3dX
Thank you for watching!
#creality #crealityk1c #ender3v3
0:00 Intro
0:47 Heat the Nozzle
1:33 Diagnose the problem
3:30 Solutions
4:02 All Metal Gears
****************************************************************
If you enjoy and have benefited from my content and are feeling generous I would love your support! You can "buy me a coffee" here:
► paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=V2T6MEFUGP73Y
By supporting my channel you are encouraging me to continue with this time consuming endeavor. A lot of time goes into design work, building my projects, filming the videos, editing the videos, etc. Plus it all costs money! Your generosity goes a long way in helping me bring you better content as often as I can!
Follow me on Instagram!
► instagram.com/embracemaking
