First layer not sticking / poor first layer
The first layer beads up, peels, or shows gaps between lines; or it is so squished the lines vanish.
Quick fix first layer adhesion not sticking z offset squish
Likely causes
- Z-offset wrong (nozzle too far or too close)
- Dirty build plate
- Bed not level / mesh not applied
- First-layer speed too fast
- Bed temperature too low
How to fix it
- Tune z-offset live: lines should touch with no gap and no ridge. Too close causes ripples; too far causes gaps.
- Wash the plate with dish soap and water, then IPA. Re-wash every ~20 prints.
- Re-run bed leveling and make sure the mesh is loaded before the print.
- Slow the first layer to 15–20 mm/s and increase first-layer line width to 120%.
- Raise bed temperature 5 °C within the material range.
Work through it in order
The fastest path to a fix
Change one thing at a time and print a small test. Start with the first fix listed — it is the most common cause.