Creality’s Ender 3 Pro is one of the most popular 3D printers on the market. The machine is affordable, easy to assemble, and incredibly reliable. Like everything else, though, it needs troubleshooting now and then. One of the most frequent issues is the Ender 3 Z-axis not moving. If you’re dealing with this problem, this guide can help you find its cause and fix it.
When your Ender 3 Z-axis is not moving, the most likely culprit is a faulty mainboard. Other reasons include too tight eccentric nuts or the Z limit switch that was accidentally closed. You should also check the cables and fix them if they are loose or damaged.
What Is Binding And How Does It Affect Ender 3 Pro Z-Axis?
Z-binding is a Z-axis error caused by a bent Z rod that doesn’t move up and down in a straight line. A rod that doesn’t move smoothly will have a negative impact on your prints. Effects include short or compressed prints, inconsistent layer thickness, and occasional stepper motor clicking.
As explained, binding happens when the rod doesn’t move smoothly. You can remove the Z rod and straighten its position or replace it to fix this issue. However, there are instances when the Z-axis doesn’t move at all. Here are the most common causes why this happens and how to fix them.
4 Common Causes Of Z-Axis Not Moving On Ender 3
A Z-axis that doesn’t move when you send a printing command is confusing and frustrating, especially if your other axes move. The troubleshooting guide below can help you run a quick diagnosis and find the culprit.
Faulty Main Board
A faulty mainboard could be the main reason why your Ender’s Z-axis doesn’t move even if the X and Y axis respond to commands. A single short-circuited pin on the mainboard can prevent normal operation.
Troubleshooting a faulty mainboard isn’t always easy, but you could rule out other causes by connecting the Z-axis to the X or Y stepper motor. Send a printing command that moves the axis connected to the Z rod (X or Y) and see if it moves. Likewise, you can connect one of the other axes to the Z stepper and see if they move when you issue a command for the Z-axis.
If the Z rod moves when connected to another stepper motor, but the Z stepper motor won’t budge regardless of what axis is connected to it, the mainboard is defective. Mainboards can get shorted due to human or manufacturing errors and need replacement.
Loose Or Damaged Cable
Before ordering a new mainboard, you should also check the wirings and connections. Sometimes, the cables become loose and prevent the command from reaching the stepper motor. A damaged cable does more or less the same thing.
An easy way to diagnose this issue is by disconnecting and reconnecting the cable at both ends (stepper motor and the connection to the mainboard). Try again and see if it works. If it doesn’t, use a cable from another axis to connect the Z and send the command. If the Z now moves, its cable is damaged.
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Z Limit Switch In Closed Position
If you’re a 3D printing newbie and are not very familiar with your Ender 3 Pro, you should know that the unit has a Z limit switch that sets the Z axis’ zero or home position. This small switch is located at the bottom of the gantry, between the lead screw and the front left of the bed leveling knob.
When assembling the 3D printer, you could accidentally set up this switch too close to the gantry, and it could become stuck in the close position. If this happens, it could give the Z-axis the impression that it is in the zero position even when it is not, preventing it from moving. Unstuck the button to fix the issue.
Eccentric Nuts
In addition to everything above, you should also check the eccentric nuts. When installing the printer, it is easy to over tighten them. If the eccentric nuts are too tight, they prevent the Z-axis from moving. Likewise, if they are too loose, they compromise the rod’s balance and affect the print quality.
You can inspect the eccentric nuts and use a spanner wrench to loosen or tighten them if needed.
How To Fix Binding In Z-Axis In 4 Easy Ways
Diagnosing and fixing a Z-axis problem is sometimes challenging. However, the fixes below – based on real user experience – could help you solve the issue without taking your Ender 3 Pro to a service center.
Check Wirings
As explained above, damaged or loose wires can prevent the Z-axis from moving. Wire swapping is the quickest diagnosis method.
- Turn off the 3D printer and unplug it from the wall socket.
- Inspect the connections on both ends. If the stepper motors are removable, also check that the Z-axis stepper’s pins are properly connected to the mainboard.
- Disconnect the wire and reconnect it on both ends. Turn on the unit and send a command to see if the Z-axis moves. If it doesn’t, proceed to swap the wires.
- Turn off and unplug the printer again. Remove the cable from your X-axis and swap it with the Z-axis cable. Connect both wires and turn on the printer.
- Send a command to move both axes. If the Z now moves but the X-axis doesn’t, the cable is damaged. If both axes move, the cable and connections are good, and the problem is elsewhere.
Properly Aligning The Z Rods
A misaligned Z rod can cause binding issues and affect the print quality. Realigning the rod isn’t complicated, but you must pay attention to each step to ensure precision.
- Place a wooden block or another object under the gantry and lower it so that it rests on the object. In this way, the printing nozzle won’t hit the bed when you take the Z rod out.
- Loosen the coupler screws that hold the Z rod in place.
- Grasp the stepper motor and lift until the rod comes out. While still holding the motor up, proceed to unscrewing the Z rod to remove it completely.
- Loosen the screws that hold the stepper motor to the frame (you may have to remove the coupler to gain access). Remove the stepper from the frame.
- You can now put the Z rod back into the coupler. Before you do that, make sure the top screws are tight. Screw the Z rod on and place it into the coupler. Move the motor if necessary to make sure that the rod threads and coupler opening are aligned correctly.
- If this operation left a gap between the stepper and the frame, use washers to maintain the motor in the correct position. You can then fasten the stepper back to the frame.
Tighten The Eccentric Nuts
The eccentric nuts connect the gantry axis to the carriage, and they can sometimes become loose. When this happens, the gantry tends to sag and gets off-balance when the Z-axis is moving. In addition to binding, you may also notice the stepper motor vibrating. Tightening these nuts can help solve the Z-binding issue.
Loosen Brass Lead Screw Nuts
In addition to checking the eccentric nuts, you should also check the brass lead screw nut. If this nut is too tight, it can cause binding and auto-homing issues for the Z-axis, preventing it from moving. Try to turn the nut with a spanner. If it doesn’t budge, it is too tight, and you have to loosen it.
Always Seek Out Assistance From The Manufacturer
While the four quick fixes above solved the binding and Z-axis problems for most Ender 3 Pro users, you don’t have to troubleshoot your 3D printer yourself if you don’t feel like it.
Creality’s support team can guide you to the troubleshooting process, or you could contact the service center to have your printer fixed professionally.
FAQs
Is Ender 3 Pro good for beginners?
Yes, the Ender 3 Pro is an excellent choice for beginners. This 3D printer is very easy to assemble and comes with easy-to-follow instructions. It is also affordable and easy to troubleshoot compared to other 3D printers on the market.
How long is the Ender 3 Z Rod?
The Ender 3 Z rod is 14.375 inches long and has a diameter of 0.32 inches.
What is Z offset Ender 3?
The Z offset is the distance between the real position of the print head and its programmed position along the axis, which should be the same with the distance between the nozzle and the printing bed. In this way, you can ensure that there is an optimal gap between the print bed and the nozzle when printing the first layer.
Summary
An Ender 3 axis problem is often concerning, but it is easy to fix in most cases. We hope this guide can help you tackle the problem, but don’t forget: contacting the aftersales team when in doubt is the best thing to do.
References
Introduction to 3D Printing – Malta’s Ministry for Education and Employment
3D Printing 101 – The University of Tennessee Knoxville
