Filament Not Sticking to Your Ender 5 Pro Bed? Try These Community-Tested Fixes!
So, you’ve just started your 3D printing journey with the Ender 5 Pro and things were going great… for two days. Then suddenly, your filament stopped sticking to the bed. 😩 Sound familiar?
You’re not alone! One of our community members ran into this exact issue and turned to our Facebook group for help. The response? A goldmine of practical tips from seasoned makers who’ve been there, fixed that.
If your prints are curling, lifting, or flat-out failing to stick to the build plate, try these tried-and-true solutions straight from the community:
🧼 1. Clean That Bed – Like, Really Clean It
Even if your glass bed is brand new and untouched by bare hands, residue can still affect adhesion. Dust, oils, and micro-particles are invisible culprits.
Here’s the cleaning routine our group swears by:
- Use Dawn dish soap and hot water to give the bed a deep clean.
- Rinse thoroughly, then dry completely.
- Wipe down with isopropyl alcohol (90%+) before each print session.
💡 Pro tip: Clean even a brand-new bed before first use. Factory residue can mess with your first layer.
🛠️ 2. Check Bed Leveling and Z-Offset
Poor bed leveling is the #1 cause of first-layer issues. If the nozzle is too far away, the filament won’t squish into the bed and stick properly.
- Make sure the bed is perfectly level (aka trammed).
- Adjust the Z-endstop switch so the nozzle gets the right amount of “squish” on that first layer.
- The bed springs should be compressed at least 2/3 to prevent shifting during prints.
- Consider using manual paper test leveling or try auto bed leveling (ABL) if you’ve installed a probe.
🔥 3. Fine-Tune Your First Layer Settings
Sometimes it’s not the hardware — it’s the slicer settings. Here’s what experienced makers recommend:
- Slow down your first layer speed (try 20 mm/s).
- Use a thicker first layer height (0.28 mm is a good starting point).
- Increase initial layer extrusion width slightly in your slicer.
- Set the bed temp appropriate for your filament:
- PLA: 55–60°C
- PETG: 70–80°C (but beware — see below!)
🧴 4. Use a Release Agent (Especially for PETG)
If you’re printing with PETG, be cautious — it can fuse to a glass bed and damage it during removal.
➡️ Use a glue stick or hairspray as a barrier between the filament and the bed. This not only prevents fusion but can actually improve adhesion too.
🤓 Bonus Tips from the Community
- Watch older YouTube videos on setting the perfect first layer. Some classics still hold up!
- Don’t rely on just one solution — combine these tips for best results.
- Join a Facebook group or forum if you haven’t already. You’ll find people who’ve had the exact same problem — and solved it.
Wrapping Up:
Getting that perfect first layer is the key to successful 3D prints. If your Ender 5 Pro filament isn’t sticking to the bed, don’t panic. It’s likely something simple like bed cleanliness, leveling, or slicer settings.
With a bit of trial and error — and a helpful community behind you — you’ll be back to perfect prints in no time.
Want more beginner-friendly tips like this?
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