PRUSA MK4 - How to EASILY and PROPERLY Clear a Filament Clog (Simple and Fast Instructions)

This was a headache to figure out on my own, so I made this video so you don't have to! Enjoy clear, simple step-by-step instructions for unclogging and reassembling your Prusa MK4. (Without breaking it!)

Feel free to send me comments or questions! Tips are always appreciated. :)

This can be helpful when you're looking at the parts and what to disconnect:

Music: Slynk - Call the Shots

~Be Sweet~

Show some sweetness, leave a like?

[adrianthomas]

Can't tell you how long I have been looking for a solution like this. Thanks so much. Trying this now.

[DKTst]

Thanks Meg, your info saved me a lot of searching 😊.

[Psiezed]

I had a 5 hr print overnimght last night, the longest I've had so far. when I woke up, it was saying the hotend fan wasn't spinning; to check for build-up then inspect the wires



I didn't realize what was wrong until you came along and solved it for me. I wish I could give you more than just a sub because you helped me so much. I don't have an un-clogging tool tho, so I found some metal wire(that I can bend into a straight line) that works perfectly, thank you THANK YOU THANK

havent even started unclogging it yet XD

[TransAmCE]

I have had my MK4 for almost a year and I just had its first real clog. I have worked with all different types of printers for ten years and this video was exactly what needed because my past methods did not work. I was about to go get the disassembly guide but was saved by your video. Thank you for taking the time to make it and saving time for me!

[AndrewUnruh]

What a lifesaver! I could not even unload the filament, so I ended up heating the nozzle to about 10 degrees above normal and then pulling the filament out while the nozzle was removed.

[StarPrater]

Clearing massive clog I broke the hot end wires! Your video gave me the info I needed to order and replace my hotend. Expensive mistake but its going again! Thanks so much!

[Indiana_James]

You rock 🤘🏻. Just built mine. It's been running pretty much nonstop for days. Finally had my first clog 😢. Thanks for the reassurance 🖖🏼👍🏻.

[ronfolkmar]

Ever since Prusa released firmware version 6.0.0 in April '24, they've added a feature that completely automates a cold pull, apart from pulling out what's left at the end. It only works with PLA filament, but it works magic. Thankfully I haven't had to use it, but it's nice that it's there and you don't need to practice or fiddle with the technique. It's worth giving it a shot before you actively heat the hotend while its dangling in midair 🙃.

Now I just need to see how it works if there are clogs using other materials like PETG or ASA. Most likely PLA will be there to the rescue.

[nandomax]

Amazing, it's great when we find a good tutorial of "how to unclog your Prusa without breaking it". Last week I had the same issue and I used a hammer to open it and remove the clog, sadly it was impossible to assemble it back together

[greggreene]

Hers's an additional step, after cleaning the clog, run a 12 inch piece of nylon at 260 through the nozzle (purge), the nylon will clean out all the little bits of filament that remain and clean the nozzle ready for the next print!

[AgentWest]

Need to put a Hottie hot end on that printer, i hear they don't clog as much ;)

As a side note, there is a special purging/cleaning filament. It is low melt, and is made specifically to clean hot ends. Feed it in like regular filament and that should do. From what I remember in very bad cases you can let it cool off some, then pull out the filament and the clog while everything is still somewhat soft.

In general though, as long as you have a filament wiper (small binder clip holding a piece of paper towel over the filament) and don't over-cook PLA, nozzles won't clog. Still, cheers for this video, i'm sure it will be helpful.

[akierum]

Very bad extruder unclog design, the melted cover by accidentally touching with hot end on you video clearly demonstrated this.

[Psiezed]

theres a big piece of filament inside of the metal rod part of the nozzle. what do I do i cant get it out ;-;

[alexandren.]

Nice, where did you find your tool to push ? I don't have any tool matching with the diamètre.

[ToJak]

And after like 40 seconds of 260°, my heater wire melted....