These errors and solutions are compiled from many websites and forums around the Internet. We are not an authorized MakerBot repair center or dealer. Please DO NOT contact us asking for step-by-step instructions on how to fix. We don’t have those. We offer no guarantee the “fix” listed below will work and take no responsibility for any damage you may cause to your machine or extruder trying to repair it, since we did not write most of these. Open your extruder or printer at your own risk.
We’ve found in most cases the error in question is caused by the smart extruder on the Makerbot z18, 5th Generation Replicator and the Mini, so always try changing extruders and restart the printer before calling support. (They’re the first two things support will ask you to do, so it saves a couple of steps with them).
If you experience an error that’s not on this page and want to share, please email: jeff@3dprintrva.com. If we all share, we can all reduce the $100 service calls for simple fixes.
Extruder Warranty
Makerbot does have a 90-day warranty on all smart extruders purchased from them or an authorized reseller, so if it’s the extruder and it’s no more than 90-days from purchase, they will replace at no charge and they won’t charge a service fee for this.
Note: the SmartExtruders sold on eBay, included with used printers, Craig’s List and similar sites are not covered by warranty because 1) they are not being purchased from an authorized reseller and 2)more than likely the 90-day warranty expired before the seller listed it on eBay. (Before you “hate” on MakerBot for this policy, most manufacturers don’t offer warranty support these kind of purchases either).
MakerCare Warranty
This is a paid extended warranty service issued by MakerBot. You get unlimited free support calls until your extended warranty period runs out. You get a special phone number and extra support hours (including Saturdays). It may seem pricy, but if there is a hardware issue that does not involve the extruder they’ll cover it.
In helping a friend with a support issue, we called MakerBot and they offered us Makercare on a z18 printer that is over a year out of warranty. It appears that even after your warranty runs out, you can register any 5th Gen, Mini, or z18 for MakerCare. At least at this time, you could buy a used z18 printer from eBay for almost half price, register it under your name on MakerBot’s website, then call and get Makercare. You’d still come out ahead on total costs (compared to purchasing new) AND be covered for any hardware issues. If you find MakerBot is no longer doing this, let us know and we’ll remove.
Homing error
Message : There a few different “Homing Error” messages
What does it mean: Homing errors relate to the abiltly to find the build plate level.
How to fix it: In most cases the “bounce” ability of the nozzle is jammed and just needs wiggling to fix. If wiggling the nozzle doesn’t help, try restarting the printer.
Note: If you have just taken apart your extruder to clear a broken piece of filament, you may have pinched a wire leading to the hot end which will prevent the nozzle from moving.
Error 15:
Message:
What does it mean: There is a loose jumper cable on the z18 board. Apparently this happens due to the printer getting jarred during shipping. The “refurbished” models purchased on eBay and other sites have a higher rate of loose jumper cables.
How to fix: You must turn off & unplug your printer, remove the lower right back panel and make sure all jumper cables are seated in their connectors on the circuit board. Make sure you don’t touch any of the other components on the circuit board or you’ll have a very large paperweight!
Error 55 Heat watch dog error
Message: ??
What does it mean: This error relates to the readings on the temperature sensor. The machine thinks it is so hot it shut down for safety.
How to fix it: The only case we saw of this required returning to Makerbot for repair
Error 61 filament feeding error
Message : ??
What does it mean: That the castle head screw (also known as a Hob Bolt) can not /Is not spinning. Meaning the filament can not be driven down into the extruder. This may be because of a spool jam that is restricting the flow of filament to the extruder or because filament has broken within the extruder blocking the filament path. This is usually at only 4-5 cm down into the extruder.
How to fix it: Check the filament spool is not jammed and can spin freely and that the filament has not knotted. You extruder may need to be repaired.
Error 65 Thermocoupler Communication
Message: Oops we have a problem with your smart extruder (Error 65 : Thermocoupler Communication failure). Please disconnect and re-connect your smart extruder.
What does it mean: The machine thinks the connectors to the thermocoupler are not connected.
How to fix it: This error is usually the result of a connection issue between the smart extruder and the Smart Extruder carriage. Pull off the smart extruder. Clean pins and re-connect it. In most cases it is actually that the smart extruder is not connected properly or has dirty connectors. Press down the pins on the smart extruder a few times to make sure they have not gotten bent, damaged or stuck.
If the message is occurring mid print make sure the spool is not getting stuck and pulling the smart extruder off slightly.
Finally, take a look at the white ribbon cable that runs from the Smart extruder carriage to the back right of the machine. Are there any damaged points? If so (and the above did not stop the problem) please log a ticket with a photo. Also check that the cable has not become loose at either end.
Error 71
Message: Heater Open.
What does it mean: The machine can not heat the hot end or can not receive temperature information from the hot end.
How to fix it: Check POGO pins on extruder. Push in and out to see if any are sticking. In one case, we discovered that a wire between the extruder circuit board and the hot end was broken. If everything looks fine, replace smart extruder.
Error 72
Message: EXTRUDER ERROR Oops, we have a problem with your Smart Extruder (Error 72: Tool Fan Open), Please visit our support page at Makerbot.com/support.
What does it mean: There is a problem with the extruder fan, located on the machine (not the smart extruder)
How to fix it: Open a support ticket.
Error 1010:
Message: ??
What does it mean: There is a loose jumper cable on the z18 board. Apparently this happens due to the printer getting jarred during shipping. The “refurbished” models purchased on eBay and other sites have a higher rate of loose jumper cables.
How to fix: You must turn off & unplug your printer, remove the lower right back panel and make sure all jumper cables are seated in their connectors on the circuit board. Make sure you don’t touch any of the other components on the circuit board or you’ll have a very large paperweight!
Error 1013
Message : Homing timed out…
What does it mean: The machine has not been able to complete the homing routine because it is not getting feedback from its sensor/s
How to fix it: In most cases it just goes away when you restart. If it is a repeated problem the level sensor may be faulty and the extruder needs to be replaced.
Error 1024
Message: Your smart extruder is not connected…
What does it mean: The machine does not think that the smart extruder is connected
How to fix it: Check the extruder is actually attached flush to the machine. The castle nuts can sometimes mis align. Many cases of this error (at the attachment of the extruder or on load) are because either the extruder was not connected perfectly or that there is oil or similar on the connectors. Take off the extruder and clean the connectors to be sure this is not the case.
Where it occurs mid print – Make sure the filament is not pulling the extruder off the machine. If this issue happens a lot, check out Thingiverse for clips that will clamp the smart extruder to the carriage.
If this is not the case, we have seen some smart extruders are just faulty in this regard. Open a ticket.
No Error Code, But Filament Won’t Feed Through Cleared Extruder
Message: None.
Symptoms: I’ve seen a case with a z18 where the stepper motor is clicking and filament isn’t loading. Changing out extruders doesn’t help. Everything appears to be working properly, except filament won’t feed into extruder. If you are holding the filament as you load it into the extruder, you will feel resistance as the filament comes in contact with the shaft attached to the stepper motor. Can hear a clicking noise on filament load without filament in extruder.
How to fix it: The issue is the circuit board in the carriage (the black box with the fan, stepper motor and mounting for the smart extruder that rides on the rail). MakerBot won’t ship just the board, You have to buy the whole carriage assembly (board, stepper motor, fan, and housing which they will ship to for you to replace). We were quoted $250 for the part. Instructions show that it only takes a few minutes to change. It only requires the removal of the white ribbon cable and 4 hex bolts.
Smart Extruders v1: z18 vs. 5th Generation Versions
Except for the top cap and the bottom duct shroud, the 5th Generation smart extruder works on the z18, so if you have both a 5th Gen and a z18, you can just swap the cap and remove the lower duct shroud on a 5th Gen extruder to use on a z18 and vice versa.
Smart Extruders v2: z18 vs. 5th Generation Versions
Except for the top cap and the bottom duct shroud, the 5th Generation smart extruder works on the z18, so if you have both a 5th Gen and a z18, you can just swap the cap and remove the lower duct shroud on a 5th Gen extruder to use on a z18 and vice versa.