How to Fix Warping and Lifting

Warping happens when corners or edges of your print lift off the bed during printing. Learn how to prevent warping for successful prints.

Symptoms of Warping and Lifting

  • Corners or edges lifting off the print bed
  • Curling at the first few layers
  • Prints detaching completely mid-print
  • Cracks or layer separation due to uneven cooling

Common Causes

Bed temperature too low

Insufficient bed temperature causes the bottom layers to cool and contract too quickly, pulling away from the bed.

Poor bed adhesion

A dirty, unleveled, or incompatible bed surface prevents proper first layer adhesion.

Drafts and temperature changes

Cold air currents cause uneven cooling, leading to differential shrinkage and warping.

High-shrinkage materials

Materials like ABS, Nylon, and PC have high thermal shrinkage rates that make them prone to warping.

Solutions

1Increase bed temperature

  1. Step 1: Raise bed temperature by 5-10°C within safe limits
  2. Step 2: Use recommended bed temperatures for your filament
  3. Step 3: Consider a heated enclosure for high-temp materials

2Improve bed adhesion

  1. Step 1: Clean bed with isopropyl alcohol
  2. Step 2: Apply glue stick, hairspray, or specialized adhesive
  3. Step 3: Use a textured PEI sheet for better grip
  4. Step 4: Ensure proper first layer squish

3Use an enclosure

  1. Step 1: Enclose your printer to maintain stable ambient temperature
  2. Step 2: Block drafts from windows, AC, or fans
  3. Step 3: Preheat the enclosure before starting large prints

4Design modifications

  1. Step 1: Add a brim or raft to increase bed contact area
  2. Step 2: Use mouse ears on sharp corners
  3. Step 3: Avoid large flat surfaces when possible

Prevention Tips

  • Always use an enclosure for ABS, ASA, and Nylon
  • Level your bed properly before each print
  • Keep the build plate clean
  • Start with smaller test prints to dial in settings

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does ABS warp so much?
ABS has one of the highest shrinkage rates among common filaments (about 0.7-0.8%). As it cools, it contracts significantly, creating internal stresses that pull corners up. An enclosure maintaining 40-50°C ambient temperature helps greatly.
Does PLA warp?
PLA has very low shrinkage and rarely warps under normal conditions. If you're seeing PLA warp, it's usually due to a dirty bed, incorrect first layer height, or the bed cooling mid-print.
Can I fix a warped print?
Minor warping can sometimes be fixed by heating the part (carefully with a heat gun or in an oven below glass transition) and pressing it flat. However, severe warping usually means reprinting with better settings.

Other Troubleshooting Guides