Adventurer 5M or AD5X: nothing comes out on the first layer, the nozzle scratches the plate or the part will not stick

Symptom

No filament comes out on the first layer because the nozzle is too close, the nozzle scratches the plate after automatic levelling, the part does not stick, or after switching from the textured plate to the smooth PEI plate the first layer is over-extruded.

Likely causes, from most to least likely

1. Filament residue on the nozzle tip or on the plate during levelling.
2. A plate with grease or residue, or damaged or badly worn.
3. Wrong nozzle-to-bed distance after levelling, or slicer settings that do not match.
4. Switching from the textured plate to the smooth PEI plate without adjusting the Z offset: the smooth surface takes less material and the first layer is over-extruded.

Checks to tell which one it is

• Check for residue on the nozzle tip and the plate.
• Check that the plate is seated properly.
• Note which plate you are using and whether you changed it recently.

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

1. Clean nozzle and plate and level again

   Clean residue off the nozzle and grease and residue off the plate, restart and run automatic levelling again. By default the printer levels before every print.

   Check: The first layer comes out continuous without scratching the plate.

   If that does not fix it: Apply glue (next step).

2. Apply the included glue

   Spread a thin, even layer of the glue supplied with the printer over the whole plate, level again and run a test print.

   Check: The part stays stuck until the end.

   If that does not fix it: Update and adjust temperatures (next step).

3. Firmware and bed temperature

   Update the firmware if a new version exists and enable levelling before printing. If it still does not stick, raise the bed by 5-10 °C for the filament (for example 55-60 °C for PLA or 110 °C for ABS).

   Check: The first layer grips well.

   If that does not fix it: Bring the bed closer on the first layer (next step).

4. Bring the bed closer on the first layer

   During the first layer, manually raise the bed by 0.05-0.1 mm to reduce the nozzle distance and improve adhesion.

   Check: First layer lines are squashed and joined.

   If that does not fix it: Copy the logs to a USB drive and contact Flashforge support.

5. Smooth PEI plate on the 5M series

   If you switched to the smooth PEI plate and the first layer is over-extruded, run automatic levelling from the settings and, before printing, set the Z offset to 0.1 mm and save it.

   Check: The first layer comes out without excess material.

   If that does not fix it: Fine-tune the Z offset in small steps.

Prevention

• Clean grease and residue off the plate before printing.
• Level again after changing the plate or the nozzle.
• Reapply glue when parts start to come loose.

Still not fixed?

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Printers it applies to

Flashforge Adventurer 5M, Adventurer 5M Pro and AD5X.

Official sources

This guide summarises the official documentation linked here:

• Troubleshooting: Equipment Usage Issues (Adventurer 5M series) · Flashforge
• FAQ for Adventurer 5M · Flashforge
• Equipment Usage Issues (AD5X) · Flashforge