How to Fix 3D Print Stringing
Thin, hair-like strands of plastic stretched between separate parts of the print, left behind whenever the nozzle travels over open space.
Common causes
Nozzle temperature too high
Filament kept molten enough to ooze out of the nozzle during travel moves, even when not actively extruding.
Retraction distance too short or too slow
Not enough filament pulled back (or pulled back slowly) before a travel move, leaving pressure at the nozzle tip.
Travel speed too slow
The nozzle lingers over open space longer, giving ooze more time to form a string.
Wet filament
Moisture-absorbing materials like PETG, nylon, and TPU ooze and string far more when the filament has absorbed humidity.
How to fix it
Lower the nozzle temperature
Drop it in 5°C steps — a temperature tower test will show you the lowest temp that still gives good layer adhesion.
Increase retraction distance
Bowden setups typically need 4-7mm; direct-drive setups usually only need 0.5-2mm.
Increase retraction speed
Try 25-45mm/s — fast enough to pull the filament back before it has a chance to ooze.
Increase travel speed
Speeds of 100-150mm/s or higher reduce the time the nozzle spends over gaps.
Dry your filament
Use a filament dryer, or a food dehydrator/oven at a low, material-safe temperature, especially for PETG, nylon, or TPU.
Enable combing / avoid perimeter crossing
Most slicers have a travel-move setting that routes the nozzle over already-printed areas instead of open air.
Still stuck?
ForgePrint diagnoses the exact cause for your printer and filament — describe it, or just upload a photo.