X1, P1 and A1: replacing the hotend or nozzle (clogged, worn or another diameter) and what to set afterwards
Checked against the official documentation from Bambu Lab.
Technology: FDM · Brand: Bambu Lab · Symptoms: Clogged nozzle or hotend, No filament comes out · Updated on 24 October 2026
Symptom
The hotend or nozzle of an X1, P1 or A1 needs replacing because it is hopelessly clogged, worn by abrasive filaments or damaged, or because you want another diameter (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 or 0.8 mm), and you are not sure how to remove it or what to change on the printer afterwards.
Likely causes, from most to least likely
- A clog that does not clear with the unclogging procedure.
- Tip wear from abrasive filaments.
- A damaged or skewed hotend, or the need for another nozzle diameter.
Checks to tell which one it is
- Before replacing it, try the unclogging procedure for your model.
- Compare the tip with a new one: a worn nozzle has a deformed tip and hole.
- Check which spare fits: the hotend with nozzle fits the X1 and P1; the complete hotend assembly has a version for the X1 and X1 Carbon (not the X1E) and another for the P1.
Before you start
Before taking anything apart, cleaning or adjusting it, switch the printer off and unplug it, unless a step says otherwise, and do not touch the nozzle, the heater block or the bed until they have cooled down. If in any doubt about electricity, heat or moving parts, stop and ask a professional.
Step-by-step fix
Power off and let it cool
Bring the hotend down to 50 °C or less, power off the printer and unplug it: working on the toolhead while it is on can cause a short circuit and damage the electronics.
Check: The nozzle is cold and the printer has no power.
If that does not fix it: Wait until it has fully cooled.
On the A1 and A1 mini (tool-free)
Press the filament lever to release and cut the filament, remove the front cover by pulling the bottom right corner and take off the silicone sock. Open the nozzle buckle (push it right and move the left side out) and pull the hotend out by its heatsink. Insert the new one tilted slightly towards the back (the magnet centres it), make sure it sits flat, close the left side of the buckle and then the right, and refit the sock and the cover until it clicks.
Check: The hotend does not wobble and the buckle is locked.
If that does not fix it: If the buckle will not close, the hotend or heatsink is not seated flat.
On the X1 and P1
Remove the magnetic front cover and unplug the ceramic heater (large 2-pin plug), the hotend fan (4-pin) and the thermistor (small 2-pin; on the X1, release its latch first or you will break the connector). Remove the two screws at the top of the heatsink with the H2.0 Allen key and take the assembly out. Fit the new one with the two screws without overtightening, connect the thermistor, the fan and finally the heater, and route the cables through their clip.
Check: The assembly is firm and the cables are tidy.
If that does not fix it: If you only replace the hotend and reuse the heater and thermistor, apply thermal paste and check the fan orientation: fitted backwards it causes errors and clogs.
If the hotend will not come out
If stuck plastic holds it, warm the hotend slightly, put on heat-resistant gloves and gently pry it loose with tweezers or a screwdriver; then cut off any filament sticking out of the top. If the thermal grease on the heater or thermistor is hard, soften it with alcohol for about five minutes before removing them.
Check: It comes out without forcing or damaging the wires.
If that does not fix it: Do not pull on the wires: contact Bambu Lab support.
Enter the new nozzle details
If the new nozzle has another diameter or material, set it on the printer screen before printing (on the A1, Settings › Maintenance › Nozzle): since Bambu Studio 02.01.01.52 the slicer only displays it and cannot change it. Then slice with that diameter.
Check: The printer and Bambu Studio show the nozzle you have installed.
If that does not fix it: Sync the printer with Bambu Studio again.
Check that it extrudes
Load filament and check that it comes out normally before starting a long print.
Check: The hotend does not wobble and filament flows steadily.
If that does not fix it: If it does not extrude, follow the clogged nozzle guide for your model.
Prevention
- Always power off the printer before working on the toolhead.
- If you print abrasive filaments, check Bambu Lab's filament guide for the nozzle they need (there are hardened steel and stainless steel ones).
- After changing the nozzle, update its details on the screen before printing.
Still not fixed?
Tell usi3d's AI about your case: choose your printer, describe what you see and add photos if you like. It proposes checks step by step, with their sources.
Printers it applies to
Bambu Lab X1 Carbon, X1, P1S, P1P, A1 and A1 mini.
Official sources
This guide summarises the official documentation linked here:
This guide is general information: usi3d has summarised it from the official documentation linked here, and it may not match your model, its version or its firmware. If in doubt, follow the manual and the support of your printer's manufacturer. You decide what you do with your machine, and working on it may affect its warranty.