Failed Print Diagnosis Photo Guide
Bad photos create bad advice. A useful failure photo shows the first layer, failure angle, underside, slicer preview, settings, and material. This guide helps you document failures so troubleshooting is faster and less random.
What it usually looks like
- People give conflicting advice from one blurry photo
- AI Doctor needs more context
- You cannot tell if the failure started at the bed or mid-print
- The same issue returns but you do not remember details
- A support failure gets confused with a model defect
Most likely causes
- Only one photo was taken after removing the print
- No slicer screenshot or settings were saved
- Filament and printer details are missing
- Failure was cleaned up before inspection
- Lighting hides layer or support details
Step-by-step fix order
- Photograph the print on the bed before removing it
- Take close-ups of first layer, failed area, underside, and support contact points
- Screenshot slicer preview around the failure height
- Record printer, filament, nozzle, temperature, speed, and layer height
- Name the failure photo folder by date and symptom
- Compare the photo to the next test after one setting change
Settings and checks to record
| Setting or check | What to do |
|---|---|
| First layer photo | Shows adhesion, squish, and bed contact |
| Side photo | Shows layer shift, wobble, curling, or support failure |
| Underside photo | Shows support/contact/scarring problems |
| Settings screenshot | Prevents guessing later |
Printer-specific notes
Phone photos are enough if lighting is good. Use a consistent angle and include a small object for scale when needed.
Material-specific notes
Material type matters. PETG strings, TPU flexes, silk PLA breaks differently, and resin failures need support/exposure context.
Prevention checklist
- Create a standard failure photo routine
- Do not remove failed print before photographing the bed contact
- Keep slicer screenshots with the failed print photo
- Run one changed variable per retest
Tools that can help this fix
These product categories support this specific troubleshooting path. Use them as comparison starting points, not guaranteed fixes.
Improves failure photo clarity
View on AmazonKeeps guide/tutorial photos consistent
View on AmazonLabel failures by date and material
View on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, STLBEAST may earn from qualifying purchases. Product availability, pricing, and suitability should be checked on Amazon before buying.
When to stop and use AI Doctor
If the same symptom comes back after these steps, collect the failure photo, slicer profile, printer model, filament brand/type, and exact settings changed. Then run it through the AI Print Doctor so the next fix path is based on your real symptoms instead of random setting guesses.
Related Hub paths
Fix the print, then keep the settings.
Use this guide first. If the issue still does not make sense, run the symptom through AI Doctor, save the fix checklist, or upgrade to STLBEAST for deeper member resources.
Helpful first: Hub stays free and practical. Recommendations and membership links are only there when they support the fix path.