Hello.
I have a Qidi X-Smart printer. Just got it, actually, and am still getting used to it.
Recently, I had to unclog the nozzle. Everything seemed to go fine, but now, nothing will extrude during a print. I am fully able to load and unload filament with ease, however during a initialized print, nothing actually extrudes. I am puzzled!
I did notice that the nozzle head and whatever it’s attached to, seem to be a little loose. I am able to take pliers and move it around a little. I am assuming this shouldn’t be…? Could this be the problem?
Is there a way I can safely tighten the nozzle, if this is in fact the issue? Could it possible be something else?
Many, many thanks!!! 
Level the bed and make sure the gap between the nozzle and bed is sufficient.
You could first try and lower the bed a ways with the leveling screws and run a print to see if it will extrude.
Hi wirlybird.
I tried to re-level the bed and even lowered the bed as far as I could, and yet, still a problem.
I am hearing a rather loud clicking sound that seems to be coming from the bed itself! It looks as if it is trying to force itself up perhaps. Strange! 
No filament is being extruded during a test print, even though, I am still able to easily load and unload it.
I contacted Qidi support but all they have told me to do thus far is level the bed again and try another test print. I am really at a loss.
So you can load filament and it will extrude it without issue? I mean when loading it you can see it coming out the nozzle for a while with no issues?
Where is the bed in relation to the nozzle when you hear the clicking?
Yes, loading and unloading works just fine. The filament comes out nice and easy when loading, just as it should.
The clicking seems to begin when the nozzle moves from the outer edge of the bed towards the middle. I just cannot figure out what I am doing wrong or if some other adjustment needs to be made. All this started after I cleaned out a clog. I didn’t do anything to the bed so I am confused as to what, if any, link there may be.
Ok, the clicking is likely the extruder not being able to extrude due to the nozzle being too close to the bed.
Run your leveling routine to make the bed get up to the nozzle.
Then using the leveling screws - turn them to make the bed move away from the nozzle (down) as far as possible. Don’t force them tight though. I do not mean to make the whole bed assembly move toward the bottom of the printer using the control panel but just with the three screws.
You should have a visible gap between the nozzle and the bed when done.
Now try a print. All you want to see is if it will extrude or if the bed goes up into the nozzle again.
I did that just now. I seem to have gotten the bed to a better area, however, nothing is still extruding. And I still heard a little clicking, though not as much as before. I am able to easily slide a test slip of paper that came with the printer to gauge the distance between the nozzle and the bed. The distance seems good.
I did notice that the nozzle itself, and whatever it is attached to (looks like a square), seem to be moving/wobbling a bit. The wobbling is initially what I thought the problem might be. Perhaps it came loose somehow and it won’t extrude during a print??
Can I send you a video of what I am seeing? Maybe that would help??
I would still just wind the bed down and get it out of the way for now. Leave a good gap.
Don’t worry about an actual leveling for now.
Unload and cut off 5-6 inches of the end of the filament. It may be scarred up from the extruder and not want to extrude.
Re-load fresh and let it extruder a few feet to make sure it keeps going.
If it will extrude like that without issue then it should work to print.
Making sure you have plenty of air gap between the bed and extruder run a print and see what happens.
As far as the block being a little loose it may not matter but it shouldn’t really move easily.
When installing the nozzle you need to thread it in and snug it but just so it isn’t loose. Then heat the extruder to about 230-240 and using something to hold the block I place snug down the nozzle.
I’ll give that a shot. I’m actually having someone stop by my work next week and take a look at it if I can’t fix the problem before then.
I’ve never replaced and/or tightened a nozzle before and I wouldn’t even know how to begin. It took me a while to figure out how to take a few things apart so could unclog the nozzle in the first place.
But I’ll try to lower the bed a bit more without tightening the screws all the way and cut and feed the filament through a good amount.
I’ll let you know how it goes in a bit.
MANY thanks for all of your help! I truly appreciate it!!!
Everything loading and unloading filament seems to be working normally. I tried to lower the bed even more, to the point where the screws are pretty darn tight. Still not much extrudes from the nozzle and the block, which are both still wobbling a little on the bed. Here is a picture of what the bed looks like during a test print:
It is still too close to the bed.
What slicer?
What is the layer height?
Probably need to get the nozzle and block tightened up to get things back on track.
I don’t think I can tighten the screws anymore. They’re all the way tight. Before this issue started, they were not this tight and the gap was smaller.
The slicing program is called Qidi Print. It came with the printer. I have not adjusted any settings at all. I’m not that adept yet.
I can see on the side of the block where it can be tightened, I have just never attempted it before. Is there an easy step by step guide on what needs to removed, etc?
Thanks!
How can I find out about the layer height, though, I have never changed the settings.
The block is tightened when the nozzle is tightened. It is possible the nozzle got cross threaded or something is impeding it from being tightened all the way.
Google for how to install or change the nozzle an MK10 extruder.
I can see where the nozzle and heating block can be screwed and unscrewed, however, there isn’t enough space for me to use the tools I have properly. I think the surrounding parts/area may need to be removed so I can get in there. I don’t see how that can be done, though.
I’m capable of removing the motor, as I said before, to unclog the extruder, but that’s as far as I’ve gotten with my tinkering and engineering.
But, really, this all leads to the question of:
Will tightening the nozzle/heating block solve the problem?
Currently, the filament loads and unloads smoothly. I just wonder, and I’m not a designer or engineer, if a loose heating block would cause the filament to not be extruded during a print. Hmmm?
The nozzle is too close to the bed. I can see it from the picture. When it was reassembled something is causing the nozzle to be much lower than normal.
When the bed is all the way down by the leveling screws you can get 2-3 credit cards in between the bed and nozzle.
Take a picture of the nozzle and heat block so I can see the gap between the hex part of the nozzle and the bottom of the block.
Is this what you were asking for:
Hope this sheds some light on it.
Was trying to see the gap between the hex part of the nozzle and the bottom of the heat block but it is covered by the insulation so really can’t see.
When you unclogged it what exactly did you do?
I took out the motor, unplugged the fan and used the long, needle-like tool to push the obstruction down, through the extruder. Then reassembled. I suppose it’s possible that I may have been too forceful and somehow the heating block became loose but I really doubt it.
I did contact Qidi and they said they are going to send me the “half set of extruder.” I’m not sure what a “half set” is, but when it arrives, I’ll try replace it. Maybe that is the issue?
Any other ideas of what I could try beforehand?
Thanks again!
