Auto levelling is one of the many great features of the Creality Ender 6. But many people have reported that this future sometimes does not work. If you’re having a similar issue, don’t worry. There are many reasons your Creality Ender 6’s auto levelling may not be working.
For starters, it could mean that your sensor wires are not properly connected to the right port. Sometimes, it’s a firmware issue that is the root of the problem; it’s possible that the firmware that your 3D printer is using is not appropriate for the printer or the auto leveling sensor type. It could also be that your Z switch is still plugged in. Lastly, it’s possible that the probe is bent.
In this article, we’ll dive more deeply into the reasons your auto leveler may not be working.
How Does Auto Levelling Work?
To determine when the nozzle is fully descended to the print bed while using traditional manual levelling, the 3D printer uses a Z end-stop, a tiny switch situated near the Z-axis motor. The print bed will need to be vertically adjusted using the knobs on its corners in order to be the proper distance from the nozzle because this method does not account for the print bed’s position. To get this process just perfect, some physical labor and calculation are needed.
Related: How Often Should You Level Your 3D Printer?
In contrast, an automatic levelling system measures the distance between the nozzle and the bed using a tiny probe close to the hot end. The probe determines when the nozzle has reached the correct position as the printer lowers the nozzle toward the print bed. The nozzle will be accurately placed regardless of where the print bed is since this takes the location of the bed into consideration.
Furthermore, because the probe is on the hot end carriage, it is simple to measure various locations on the bed. At the start of a print, the machine scans the print bed in a grid pattern to achieve this. The 3D printer software will automatically change the Z height when the nozzle moves to various spots on the print bed after measuring the print bed at various points, maintaining a constant offset from the bed.
Since almost all print beds have some minor imperfections, we’ve discovered that this method tremendously aids in maintaining a consistent initial layer across the board.
Reasons your Creality Ender 6’s Auto Levelling is Not Working
Wiring Issue
Wiring issues are one of the most easily overlooked but one of the most common causes of problems in your printer. If your BLTouch is wired incorrectly, it won’t receive power and as a result, the auto levelling will not work.
Related: How Much Filament Do You Need For 3D Printing?
Incompatible Firmware
It’s extremely important that the firmware your printer is running is compatible with it. If not, it can cause a range of issues from the auto levelling not working to the printer not even starting up.
Z-Limit Switch
A lot of first-time buyers do not realize this, but for your Ender 6’s BLTouch to take over, it’s important to unplug the Z-limit switch
Bent Probe
This is an easily diagnosed problem as you can tell by just looking at the probe whether it looks any different in shape. If the probe is bent, then your auto levelling either won’t work properly or at all.
Common Fixes
Wiring
The correct placement of your wires is one of the key ways to fix a BLTouch that isn’t functioning or responsive. Incorrect wiring will stop your BLTouch from receiving electricity, which will keep it from functioning. Using a multimeter will allow you to verify that power is indeed moving through the cables.
After doing that, make sure the connector’s wires are arranged in the proper sequence by matching their order against each other. The arrangement of the wires on the connector can occasionally be different from the order on your board.
Re-flash Firmware
Reflashing the firmware is an additional method for fixing a broken or unresponsive BLTouch.
Re-flashing the device was one user’s solution to the problem of his BLTouch not working. Make absolutely sure that you flash the right firmware that is compatible with the particular device and 3D printer that you are using.
There have been reports of issues arising as a result of flashing an incompatible firmware. To obtain the right firmware, it is recommended to visit the official Creality website.
Unplug the Z-Limit Switch
Your Z-stop or limit switch may be plugged in if you’ve performed these fixes but are still experiencing problems. Your Z-limit switch must be unplugged in order for the BLTouch to take control.
Additionally, you can simply tap the sensor during homing to check if it prevents the nozzle from crashing onto the bed.
Related: Prusa i3 MK3 Stops Mid Print? Here’s How to Fix
Straighten The Pin
Your BLTouch’s malfunction or failure to respond can be resolved by manually straightening a bent pin.
If the pin is bent, it won’t be pushed down. In order to check whether it is bent, you can manually pull it out and examine it. In case you observe that it is, you may gently straighten it yourself and it will resolve the issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does It Mean When the BLTouch Is Red?
As the probe is retracted, a bright red light appears. Since red lights often signal that something is amiss, this has caused alarm. However, it turns out that the bright red light indicates that everything is OK with the BLTouch.
How Do I Know If the BLtouch Is Working?
Make sure the probe leg is deployed by checking the BLTouch. If it is extended downward, then it is deployed. In the event that it is not deployed, you should check the connectivity between the BLTouch and the mainboard. It’s possible that you need a new BLTouch if these connections are secure.
Final Words
In this article, we talked about a host of potential reasons why your Creality Ender 6’s auto levelling is not working. After that, we discussed some of the fixes we can attempt to see if that resolves the problem. Hopefully, this advice will prove to be useful. Happy printing!
