Ошибка 3д принтера thermal runaway

If you are in the 3D printing field, you might have heard about thermal runaway protection. It definitely stirred up a fuss in the 3D printing community because of its importance and lack of implementation in 3D printers as a safety feature.

This article will guide you on what you need to know about thermal runaway protection.

Thermal runaway protection is a safety feature in your 3D printer which turns the heating systems off if it noticed some kind of fault. If your thermistor is slightly disconnected, it can feed incorrect temperatures to your 3D printer. This has resulted in fires in some cases.

You definitely don’t want to be on the wrong end of thermal runaway protection, so this article will guide you through testing and fixing the thermal runaway feature on your 3D printer.

What is Thermal Runaway Protection and Why Is It Important?

To prevent your 3D printer from thermal runaway problems, the manufacturers have added a safety feature which is known as thermal runaway protection.

This feature is designed to stop the printing process whenever it detects a problem in the printer, especially if the temperature is getting out of control.

This is the best solution to protect your printer, before you start the printing process make sure that this safety feature is activated in the printer’s firmware.

A thermal runaway is one of the most dangerous and frustrating problems that can occur during the printing process. Thermal runaway error is a situation in which the printer can’t maintain the right temperature and may heat up to an extreme level.

Despite all other issues that occur due to this problem, the major threat is that the printer can catch fire which is not so uncommon in this situation.

Basically, thermal runaway protection does not protect the thermal runaway error directly but it aborts the reasons that can cause this problem.

It means that if thermal runaway protection detects that the wrong value of the 3D printer thermistor (temperature reader by detecting the variation in resistance) is being processed for a long time, it will automatically shut down the printing process to avoid damages.

Misalignment or fault in the temperature sensor is one of the basic reasons behind the thermal runway errors.

If the thermistor is not working properly, the printer will keep on increasing the printing temperature to reach the targeted heat and can take the temperature to an extreme level.

This feature will protect your printer from thermal runaway error, the risks of catching fire, and damaging the printer or the people around it.

Check out my related article called How to Flash & Upgrade 3D Printer Firmware – Simple Guide.

How Do You Properly Test for Thermal Runaway?

A really simple method shown in the video below is to use a hair dryer on your hotend for a minute or so, to decrease the operating temperature of your nozzle, thereby prompting the ‘Thermal Runaway Printed Halted’ error.

If you don’t have access to a nearby hairdryer, you can do another method.

To do a proper test for the thermal runaway protection feature, you can disconnect the heater element of the hotend or the heated print bed at the time of printing or while sending commands directly to the printer via USB to set a temperature.

You can also disconnect the heater element when the printer is turned off or even if it is heating up.

The disconnecting of the heater element means the nozzle will not be heated. After the temperature testing period and settings specified in the firmware, the printer should stop working and will halt if the thermal protection feature is enabled.

It is recommended to turn off the printer and then reconnect the wires because you may touch the open cables if you try to reconnect the wires while the printer is ON.

When the printer stops working after displaying a thermal runaway error you must restart or reset the printer before starting the printing process.

If the printer keeps on working and does not halt, shut down the printer quickly as it is a clear sign that the thermal runaway protection is not enabled.

If you want a more recent video, Thomas Sanladerer made a simple video on how to test the thermal runaway protection on your machine. The video was created because Voxelab (Aquila) did not ensure this basic protection on their machines that all 3D printers should have.

How Do You Fix a Thermal Runaway?

There are two possibilities of a thermal runaway error, one is that the thermistor is broken or faulty and the other is the thermal runaway protection not activated.

Below, I will go through how to implement the solution to the issue.

Activating Thermal Runaway Protection

The video below takes you through the process of flashing your 3D printer mainboard to activate thermal runaway protection.

Replace Broken Thermistor

The video below goes through how to replace your thermistor if it is broken.

Before you move forward make sure that your printer is not running and is turned off. Unscrew the fan shroud off to take that out of the way.

Cut down the zip ties that are holding the wires. Now take a small Phillips screwdriver to remove the screw that holds the thermistor at the right place.

Take the broken thermistor out but if it got stuck, it is probably due to the fact that molten plastic is holding the thermistor inside.

If you face such an issue, heat up the hotend to around 185°C as it will melt the plastic, remove that plastic with a tool, then set your hotend to cool down before working with it again.

After the cool down, you should be able to pull out the thermistor gently.

As inserting the new thermistor is a bit difficult, you should put the plug end of the thermistor in the old thermistor wire and fix it with tape. Now pull the exact wire back from the opposite side and you can get the thermistor inserted properly.

Now plug in the new thermistor in the exact spot where the old thermistor was plugged.

Put the zip ties again on the wires and double-check that no wire is open and the thermistor is plugged in properly. Now insert the wires on the other end of the thermistor into the bottom hole and screw them up gently.

The screws should be in the center of the two wires. Now screw up the parts and fan shroud back with the printer.

Methods to Fix Printer Halted Heating Failures

If your nozzle doesn’t manage to reach your desired temperature before giving an error, there are a few reasons for it which  I’ll describe. There are also some pretty simple solutions to accompany these causes.

A usual fix of a halted heating 3D printer is to double-check the assembly of your extruder, making sure there are no large gaps between the heat break, heater block, and nozzle. Ensure your wiring is secure and is put in the correct way round.

A dodgy connection somewhere in your system can definitely be a reason for the ‘HEATING FAILED’ error in your 3D printer, especially if you didn’t properly follow a tutorial or video guide on assembling your 3D printer.

Common connection problems are found in either the heater or temperature sensor of your 3D printer. It can be a good idea to check the resistance of your heater cartridge, making sure it falls close to the specified value.

Some people have had other issues such as a fried mainboard, needing a Power Supply Unit (PSU) replacement, or a hotend replacement.

Since a thermistor sometimes runs underneath screws, they can easily get crushed or come loose, meaning the connection isn’t secure enough to adequately measure the actual temperature of your heater block.

You can get yourself a new thermistor and replace it using the instructions above.

Make sure when you replace your thermistor, you don’t touch either wire to the heater block because it can fry your mainboard.

• Dialing in your stepper driver voltage can help if they are significantly off
• Replace your thermistor
• Use the original mainboard
• Replace heating element
• Check that wires aren’t loose on heater block – re-tighten screws if needed
• Do PID tuning

Does the Ender 3 Have Thermal Runaway?

The Ender 3s that are being shipped now have thermal runaway protection feature enabled.

In the past, it wasn’t always the case, so if you have bought an Ender 3 recently, it will definitely have this feature enabled but if you bought it a while back, follow the steps about to test whether it is active.

It is recommended to follow precautionary measures to avoid this problem. The first thing you should do is the printer’s regular maintenance. Make sure that the printer is assembled correctly, wiring is pretty fine, and the printer is not making any errors.

Make sure that the thermistor is placed in the center of the heat block and is working properly.

Keep the thermal runaway protection feature activated in your firmware but if your Ender 3 is old and it doesn’t have a thermal runaway protection feature in its firmware then you should install other firmware that has the feature activated such as Marlin.

There is nothing more frustrating than a “printer halted” error message on an Ender 3. When that message is accompanied by “thermal runaway,” things can get downright scary.

What is a thermal runaway, anyway?

Ender 3 thermal runaway is among the most dangerous errors in 3D printing. This message tells you that the printer can’t stop heating up. The operation is stopped to prevent printer damage or starting a fire. Thermal runaway can affect all Creality Ender 3 printers, including the V2 and Pro.

What Is Thermal Runaway On An Ender 3?

Ender 3 thermal runaway is a malfunction of the 3D printer that causes an accelerated increase in temperature. 

The malfunction can be caused by either the hardware or software; regardless of its cause, the printer can’t stop heating up once it goes into a thermal runaway – hence, the error name. 

Given that the normal printing temperature is between 428°F and 464°F, it is easy to understand how the Ender 3 can reach extremely high temperatures fast.

If left unattended, thermal runaway can lead to permanent damage to your printer and even set your house on fire. 

The standard message on the control screen is Thermal Runaway. Printer Halted. Please Reset. 

Thermal runaway is commonly caused by a faulty thermistor or heating cartridge disconnected from the heating block.

An old, faulty, or disabled firmware may also lead to this issue. Other hardware problems or a worn-out printing bed could also be the cause.

---

9 Possible Causes Of Thermal Runaway On An Ender 3

The Ender 3 thermal runaway please reset message can make you feel doomed.

However, this error doesn’t always signal a major issue. Sometimes, all you have to do is to enable the temperature control on the firmware.

Below are the most common thermal runaway causes. 

1. Faulty Thermistor

The first thing to check is the thermistor when your Ender 3 Pro or V2 firmware stops the printer and displays the above error message. 

This component located under the heated bed controls the temperature of the heated bed and the nozzle.

Not only is it responsible for creating successful prints, but a faulty thermistor can start an Ender 3 fire if it can’t stop the heating elements once a certain temperature is reached.

Thermal runaway aside, the thermistor is also responsible for other common error messages, such as heating failed printer halted. 

When either of these errors come up, the thermistor is either disconnected or needs to be replaced.

Fortunately, replacement thermistors are easily found on the market, and you might be able to replace this part on your own. 

2. Silicone Cover Not Attached 

3D printers, including Creality’s Ender 3 V2 and Pro, come with a silicone sock that goes over the hotend.

This cover helps the hotend heat to the desired temperature faster, but inexperienced Ender 3 users might believe it’s optional and are tempted to remove it. 

While this cover retains heat, it was observed that taking it off could cause the printer to register a hotter temperature and go into thermal runaway error. 

The good thing is that all you have to do is slide the silicone sleeve back on to fix the problem. 

3. Faulty Wiring Work 

If the thermal runaway error pops up after the printer starts moving, the wire loom is a possible culprit. 

All loom wires are subject to bending and flexing as the printing head moves, and two wires could touch the thermocouple at the same time, or they could come loose. 

The heater wires may also be misconnected or loose. 

Check the connection and test the printer by connecting a temporary line from the sensor to the board. If the error doesn’t show up, you must rewire the wire loom.

Otherwise, check the heater wires and rewire them if necessary.

4. Extruder Issues 

A common printing mistake that could cause your V2 or Pro Ender 3 to go into thermal runaway is starting a new print without giving the extruder time to cool down.

When starting a new print while the extruder is still hot, the thermistor could interpret it as a temperature shot-up. 

To fix this issue, let the printer cool down completely before starting a new print.

5. Nozzle Hotter Than Expected 

Alongside the extruder, a hot nozzle could also be responsible for your printer going into thermal runaway. 

Again, this is a user error that can be avoided. Simply let the printer cool off before starting another print.

6. Worn-Out PEI Bed 

When printing objects, you may be tempted to place them in the center of the bed. However, repetitive printing in the same spot can cause the PEI bed to wear out. 

The thermistor is typically located under the center of the bed. If the PEI is worn out, the thermistor could register a higher temperature due to the proximity to the hot nozzle and printing material. 

To prevent premature wearing out of the PEI bed and thermal runaway errors, avoid choosing the same spot for your prints, especially if they are small pieces.

7. Faulty Thermocouple 

The thermocouple is a device placed on the nozzle. It is responsible for transmitting the temperature to the firmware. If it registers a temperature higher than that set by the firmware, the printer will go into a thermal runaway error. 

Loose wires or wrong connections are common culprits. A faulty thermocouple amplifier could also cause this problem. 

8. Faulty/Outdated Firmware

One of the main issues with most Ender 3 printers is the type of firmware they come with. These entry-level printers can have firmware that isn’t calibrated correctly, or that is outdated. 

Check the firmware and adjust the temperature range or recalibrate if necessary. 

Wrong calibration or incorrectly set temperature range could also be responsible for Ender 3 bed not heating, or Ender 3 heating failed errors.

9. Disabled Firmware

Before running a calibration or resetting the temperature range, check the firmware and make sure the temperature control is enabled. 

If this setting is disabled, the printer won’t stop the heating when the printing head or bed reaches the set temperature. This can lead to overheating, which will lead to thermal runaway in return.

---

The only way to fix thermal runaway is by running a diagnosis on your Ender 3 printer. 

Start with the thermistor and check the wires. Connect them if loose. 

Move on to the wire loom and also check out the other connections. If the wiring seems fine, check the thermocouple and PEI bed. 

If you can’t find any hardware issues, check the firmware and update, calibrate, or set the parameters again if necessary. Don’t forget to let the printer cool off completely before starting a new print. 

If nothing works, you might have to replace the thermistor. 

---

How To Prevent Thermal Runaway On Your Ender 3

Preventing is always better than fixing. If you don’t want to run into troubles later – and deal with thermal runaway errors – do the following things periodically. 

Update Your Firmware

As explained above, your Ender 3’s firmware might be responsible for the thermal runaway problem. 

Even if you’ve fixed the temperature issue, you should still update the firmware periodically. Keeping it up to date is a must for enhancing security and safety. 

Enabling Thermal Runaway Protection

Thermal runaway protection (TRA) is an important safety feature. When enabled, it can prevent unexpected thermal runaway-related incidents.

When setting up your Ender 3 for the first time or updating its firmware, don’t just assume this option is checked. 

While TRA should be enabled by default, there were reported incidents when the setting got disabled after an update. Check the settings if you’re unsure and tick to enable it if necessary. 

Maintenance

In addition to checking the TRA setting, creating a maintenance schedule for your 3D printer is crucial. 

Checking for loose connections and cleaning the nozzles should be done at least once a month or sooner if you print a lot. Also, control other parts of the unit, such as the heat block, silicone cover, and PEI bed.

Let The Printer Cool Down 

A reason for thermal runaway error is starting a new print before the bed, nozzle, and extruder are completely cooled down to room temperature. 

If they are still hot, the printer could interpret it as a fast rise in temperature and cease operation to prevent overheating or setting anything on fire.

---

Tips To Minimize Fire Hazards With Ender 3

Checking your printer regularly, updating the firmware, and making sure all settings are correct and that everything is in good working order can only help so much.

If an accident happens, here are some ways to minimize fire hazards.

Keep Your Workspace Clean 

Ender 3 printers – much like all other 3D printers – rely on heat to melt the spool and create your 3D objects. Whether you get a thermal runaway error or not, these machines can sometimes overheat. 

Keeping your workspace clean and organized can help you prevent accidents.

As a rule of thumb, you should never keep blueprints, diagrams, notebooks, or other paper materials near the printer. Also, avoid leaving stuff like solvents or other flammable materials open around the machine.

Store Flammable Materials Away From Printer 

Keeping the workspace organized may not be enough, especially if you want to leave the printer to do its job unsupervised. 

If you have to store any flammable materials in the same room as the Ender 3, place them in a closed cabinet as far away from the printer as possible. Preferably, you should keep them in a metal cabinet. 

Set A Cooler Room Temperature

Entry-level 3D printers are more prone to overheating compared to high-end models. This is true for most Creality printers, including Ender 3 Pro and V2. 

To minimize the overheating risk, set the room temperature at 77°F or lower. 

Ensure Airflow 

Setting up your 3D printing studio in a room with windows is ideal, but you should still ensure airflow even if the room is windowless. 

Install an extractor fan and air conditioning (or a freestanding fan) to move the air as much as possible. 

Invest In Fire Extinguishers

A fire extinguisher can save the day if your printer catches fire. You should have a can right next to the printer and at least another one or two in the room.

Install A Smoke Detector 

Another safety measure if you want to leave the printer work unsupervised is to install smoke detectors. 

These life saving devices can alert you if something goes wrong and even start a sprinkler system to put out the fire.

Install Tile Floors And Use Metal Furniture 

If possible, set the 3D printer in a room with tile or concrete floors and replace any MDF or hardwood furniture with metal alternatives.

These materials aren’t flammable and will make it easier to contain the fire if needed.

---

Conclusion

Ender 3 thermal runaway is a serious error that could signal extreme overheating. This error can also come up due to loose wires, hot nozzles or extruders at the beginning of the printing cycle, or firmware issues. 

Most problems are easy to fix. However, if you’re unsure, call the Creality service center or an expert. If the printer reaches extreme temperatures, it could set your house on fire.