Layer Shifting: Causes and Solutions

Layer shifting is when a print continues offset to one side after a certain point — the part appears to staircase sideways. It is almost always a sign of a mechanical or electrical issue.

The main causes are: loose belts (most common), a loose pulley set-screw, excessive print speed causing the stepper motors to skip steps, overheating motor drivers, a physical obstruction in the axis path, or a snagged cable.

Diagnosis sequence: check belt tension (it should produce a firm, guitar-string-like tone when plucked), tighten the pulley set-screws against the motor shaft, test by reducing print speed, and check driver cooling. On machines that receive regular maintenance this problem is rarely seen — you can take advantage of our maintenance service.