UltiMaker S: the two materials do not line up or there is a layer shift when switching print cores
Guide based on the manufacturer's official documentation; usi3d has not yet verified it on a machine.
Technology: FDM · Brand: UltiMaker · Symptoms: The multi-material system fails (does not load, cut or jams), Shifted layers (layer shift) · Updated on 9 October 2026
Symptom
On an UltiMaker S series printer, in prints with two print cores the colours or materials are shifted relative to each other (for example, the support does not match the part), or a layer shift appears in a dual-extrusion print; sometimes print core 2 does not lower or lift properly when switching.
Likely causes, from most to least likely
- A new combination of print cores was installed and the XY offset has not been calibrated: the cores supplied with the printer are already calibrated, but any new combination must be calibrated.
- The lift switch is not calibrated correctly, so print core switching does not work properly.
- The XY calibration was done with a pattern that did not stick well or was under-extruded, so the chosen value is unreliable.
- Material left on the nozzle tips or the build plate, giving wrong measurements during active levelling.
- Loose short belts on the X and Y motors, print head shafts that are not perpendicular or play in the gantry, reducing accuracy.
Checks to tell which one it is
- Have you changed or swapped any print core since the last XY calibration?
- Check whether the offset between materials is constant (points to the XY offset) or the problem is a layer shift in the dual-extrusion print (points to the lift switch).
- Watch a print core switch: the head goes to the switch bay and moves the lever on its side; check that print core 2 lowers and lifts.
- Check that the nozzle tips and build plate are clean.
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
Calibrate the XY offset
With two print cores and their materials installed, go to Preferences → Maintenance → Print head → Calibrate XY offset (on the S8 the menu is Options) and press Start calibration. The printer prints a grid; once the plate has cooled, remove it and use the XY calibration sheet as a reference: find the best-aligned lines on the X grid and enter their number as the X offset. Repeat for the Y grid.
Check: In the next print both materials line up.
If that does not fix it: If the pattern did not stick well or was under-extruded, repeat the calibration print before choosing the numbers.
Calibrate the lift switch
Go to Preferences → Maintenance → Print head → Calibrate lift switch (Options on the S8) and press Start calibration. Turn the lever on the side of the print head towards you, move the head until the lever sits firmly in the switch bay, confirm and watch the test. If the print core lowered and lifted, answer Yes; if not, No and repeat.
Check: During the test, print core 2 lowers and lifts.
If that does not fix it: UltiMaker also advises recalibrating it after repairs or maintenance on the print head or gantry; if it still fails, go to the next step.
Clean before active levelling
Before printing, remove any material from the nozzle tips and clean the build plate: active levelling measures both print cores and residue causes wrong measurements or errors. Do not touch the printer while it levels.
Check: Active levelling finishes without errors and the first layer is good with both print cores.
If that does not fix it: Check the print head mechanics (next step).
Short belts and gantry
If parts also come out with wrong dimensions or angles, follow UltiMaker's maintenance to check the tension of the short belts on the X and Y motors (tightened by moving the motor), that the print head shafts are perpendicular and that the gantry has no play. Lubricate the smooth axles only with the supplied oil, never with grease.
Check: The print head has no play and dimensions are correct.
If that does not fix it: Contact UltiMaker support with the serial number (it starts with BPP-), the logs (Maintenance → Diagnostics → Save log files to USB) and the ER code if there is one.
Prevention
- Calibrate the XY offset whenever you install a new combination of print cores.
- Recalibrate the lift switch after repairs or maintenance on the print head or gantry.
- Keep the nozzle tips and build plate clean, and the printer on a flat, stable surface.
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
The UltiMaker S family: S3, S5, S6, S7 and S8.
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.