Shivam Hegadi
Hi there, my name is Shivam Hegadi. I love to tinker with electronics and design 3D models.
@shivamhegadi.bsky.social on Bluesky
If you’ve spent any time with a 3D printer, you already know they’re not “set it and forget it” machines. They’re more like pets… mechanical ones. Feed them the right material, keep them clean, and they’ll reward you with perfect prints. Neglect them, and you’ll start hearing noises you’ve never heard before.
The good news? Taking care of your printer isn’t hard. Most of the work is small, routine stuff you can knock out in a few minutes. In this post, I’m going to walk you through the key things I do to keep my printers running like new. Whether you’re working with an FDM printer or a resin machine, these habits will save you time, money, and frustration.
1. Keep It Clean – Seriously, It’s the Easiest Win
Dust, stray filament strands, and blobs of resin are the silent killers of print quality. They creep in slowly, and before you know it, your first layer’s a mess.
If you’re using an FDM printer:
●Give your build plate a quick wipe with isopropyl alcohol after every print.
●A soft brush (or even an old toothbrush) works great for cleaning crumbs of filament off the rails and fans.
●Keep the hotend area clear since little bits of burnt filament can drop into your prints later.
If you’re on a resin printer:
●Always clean the build plate and vat when you’re done printing.
●Check for sneaky bits of cured resin hiding in the vat before pouring in fresh resin.
●Keep the optical window spotless since any smudge can mess with your exposure.
2. The Nozzle – Think of It as the Tip of Your Pen
If the nozzle’s dirty or clogged, everything else suffers. It’s the one part that works nonstop while printing, so it needs regular love.
You might have a nozzle problem if:
●Your extruder makes clicking sounds.
●Layers look uneven or spotty.
●The first layer just won’t stick, no matter what you try.
What I do:
●Every so often, I run a “cold pull” to get rid of gunk inside the nozzle.
●I keep a few spare nozzles handy. That way, if one clogs mid-project, I can swap it out in minutes.
●If you’re printing with abrasive filaments like carbon fiber or glow-in-the-dark, replace nozzles even sooner since they wear down faster than you think.
3. Check Your Bed Level – Even if You Have Auto-Leveling
I know your printer says it “auto-levels.” But trust me, it still drifts over time. A bed that’s even slightly off can cause a world of trouble.
Here’s what I do:
●Before any big print job, I quickly run a leveling check.
●If you’ve been having adhesion issues, sometimes changing the build surface, such as glass, PEI, or textured plates, works wonders.
4. Lubrication – Because Smooth Motion Means Smooth Prints
The moving parts of your printer, such as rails, rods, and lead screws, take a beating over time. If they start running dry, your print quality suffers, and the parts wear out faster.
●I use a light machine oil for rods and a PTFE-based grease for lead screws.
●Less is more since over-lubricating attracts dust like crazy.
●A quick lube every month or so keeps things quiet and precise.
5. Belts and Pulleys – The Hidden Trouble Spots
Loose belts cause wobbly layers. Belts that are too tight strain the motors. Both are bad news.
●Press gently on each belt and make sure it has a little give but does not feel floppy.
●Look for frayed edges or worn teeth.
●While you’re there, make sure pulleys aren’t loose. A single loose set screw can ruin an otherwise perfect print.
6. Don’t Ignore Firmware and Slicer Updates
I used to ignore updates until I realized they often fix little annoyances I had been living with for months.
●Check your printer’s manufacturer site every now and then since new firmware can improve speed, safety, or compatibility.
●Keep your slicer, such as Anycubic Slicer Next (FDM) or Anycubic Photon Workshop (LCD), up to date since sometimes the “minor” updates include better default profiles.
●Back up your settings before updating, just in case.
7. Give the Wiring a Once-Over
This one is easy to forget. Loose or worn wires can cause anything from a failed print to an electrical short.
●Look closely at cable bends, especially near moving parts.
●Make sure connectors are firmly plugged in.
●On resin printers, keep resin far away from the LCD ribbon cable since once it seeps in, you are in trouble.
8. Resin Users: Watch Your FEP Film
That thin sheet at the bottom of your vat is more important than you think.
●Only use plastic tools when removing prints to avoid scratching them.
●Replace it if it’s cloudy, scratched, or has any punctures.
●After every print, filter your resin so no hardened bits are left behind.
9. Make a Schedule (and Actually Follow It)
The easiest way to keep your printer healthy is to make maintenance a habit. Here’s what works for me:
Weekly
●Quick dust-off of the rails and belts.
●Bed leveling check.
Monthly
●Lubricate moving parts.
●Inspect belts, pulleys, and wiring.
●Update software.
Every 3–6 Months
●Replace the nozzle.
●Deep clean the hotend.
●For resin printers: check and replace FEP film if needed.
10. Treat It Like a Tool You Actually Care About
Here’s the thing. 3D printers are more than gadgets. They are small, precise manufacturing machines. If you treat them with the same respect you would give a good camera or power tool, they will keep producing great work for years.
I have had printers run reliably for thousands of hours just by sticking to a simple routine. And honestly, it feels good knowing I can trust them when I hit “print.”
Final Thought:
Maintaining a 3D printer isn’t about perfection; it’s about consistency. Do the small stuff regularly, and you’ll avoid the big problems entirely. Think of it like brushing your teeth. Skip it for a day and nothing terrible happens, but skip it long enough and you will see the damage.
All opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and are not endorsed by or affiliated with Anycubic.
