For some beginner of 3D printer user, they don't know how leveling. in this article, we going to tech you how leveling 3d printer before printing. and our Lk5 pro 3d printer suitable for new 3d printer user, if you interested, could have a look.
Table of Contents
- What This Guide Covers
- Quick Answer
- Why 3D Printer Leveling Matters
- Before You Start
- Step-by-Step 3D Printer Leveling Tutorial
- Common Problems and Solutions
- Tips for Better Leveling Results
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
What This Guide Covers
This guide explains:
- How to level a Longer 3D printer manually
- How to use the A4 paper leveling method
- Why heating the print bed matters
- How to adjust leveling knobs correctly
- How to check nozzle-to-bed spacing
- Common leveling mistakes beginners make
This tutorial follows the original Longer leveling procedure and is suitable for beginner users.
Quick Answer
To level a Longer 3D printer:
- Make sure the limit switch is installed correctly.
- Heat the hot bed to 60°C.
- Prepare one piece of A4 paper.
- Enter leveling mode on the touch screen.
- Move the nozzle to each corner in sequence.
- Adjust the leveling knobs until the paper has slight friction between the nozzle and the bed.
- Check the center position and repeat if necessary.
Correct leveling helps improve first-layer adhesion and print quality.
Why 3D Printer Leveling Matters
Bed leveling ensures the nozzle stays at a consistent distance from the print surface across the entire build area.
If the nozzle is too high:
- Filament may not stick properly
- Prints can detach during printing
- First layers may look thin or incomplete
If the nozzle is too low:
- The nozzle may scrape the bed
- Filament can become overly compressed
- Extrusion may become inconsistent
Proper leveling helps:
- Improve first-layer adhesion
- Reduce failed prints
- Improve print accuracy
- Protect the nozzle and build surface
- Create smoother bottom layers
Even modern printers with assisted leveling still require proper setup and verification.
Before You Start
Requirements
Prepare the following before leveling your Longer 3D printer:
- Longer 3D printer
- One piece of A4 paper
- Power connection
- Access to the printer touch screen
Follow official machine specifications or instructions.
Precautions
Before starting the leveling process:
- Ensure the printer is placed on a stable surface
- Make sure the hot end and bed are clean
- Avoid forcing the nozzle against the print bed
- Keep fingers away from hot surfaces
- Do not move the print head aggressively by hand
Heating the bed before leveling is important because thermal expansion can slightly change the bed height.
Step-by-Step 3D Printer Leveling Tutorial
Step 1: Check the Limit Switch Installation
Action
Before leveling, make sure the limit switch is installed correctly.
Manually lower the hot end until it just touches the print bed.
Then:
- Loosen the fixing screw of the limit switch
- Adjust the limit switch to the position just triggered
Expected Result
The printer should correctly detect the nozzle home position.
Important Notes
An incorrectly positioned limit switch can cause inaccurate leveling or nozzle crashes.
If the nozzle presses too hard into the bed during homing, stop immediately and recheck the switch position.
Step 2: Power On the Printer
Action
Turn on the Longer 3D printer.
Expected Result
The printer should boot normally and display the main interface on the touch screen.
Important Notes
Allow the printer to complete startup before proceeding to the next step.
Step 3: Heat the Hot Bed to 60 Degrees
Action
Heat the hot bed to 60°C.
Expected Result
The bed temperature should stabilize at 60°C before leveling begins.
Important Notes
The original Longer procedure specifies heating the hot bed because thermal expansion and contraction may affect leveling accuracy when cold.
Do not skip this step.
Step 4: Prepare a Piece of A4 Paper
Action
Prepare one piece of standard A4 paper.
Expected Result
The paper will be used to measure the gap between the nozzle and the print bed.
Important Notes
The paper acts as a simple thickness reference during leveling.
Do not use excessively thick material unless specified by official instructions.
Step 5: Enter Leveling Mode
Action
Select the leveling mode on the printer touch screen.
Press the buttons in sequence according to the leveling interface.
Expected Result
The nozzle should move automatically to different leveling positions.
Important Notes
Wait for the hot end to stop moving completely before making adjustments.
Avoid touching moving parts during positioning.
Step 6: Adjust the First Corner
Action
When the hot end stops:
- Place the A4 paper between the nozzle and the print bed
- Slowly adjust the leveling knob under the print bed
- Continue adjusting until you feel slight friction on the paper
Expected Result
The paper should move with light resistance.
Important Notes
The paper should not move freely, and it should not become tightly trapped.
The correct spacing is reached when the paper slides with slight friction.
Step 7: Repeat for All Four Corners
Action
Repeat the same leveling process for all four corners of the print bed.
At each corner:
- Insert the A4 paper
- Adjust the leveling knob
- Check for slight friction
Expected Result
All four corners should have similar nozzle spacing.
Important Notes
Adjusting one corner may slightly affect another corner.
You may need to repeat the process multiple times for consistent results.
This is normal during manual bed leveling.
Step 8: Check the Center Position
Action
After adjusting the four corners, press the "5" button.
Use the A4 paper to check the friction in the center of the print bed.
Expected Result
The center should have the same slight friction as the corners.
Important Notes
If the center feels incorrect, repeat the leveling steps again until the entire bed feels consistent.
And you can follow video below, leveling your 3D printer: https://youtu.be/TJ0MOFPuOTQ
https://www.longer3d.com/collections/3d-printers-1
Common Problems and Solutions
| Problem |
Possible Cause |
Solution |
| Filament does not stick |
Nozzle too high |
Re-level the bed and reduce nozzle distance |
| Nozzle scratches the bed |
Nozzle too low |
Loosen the leveling knobs slightly |
| One corner prints differently |
Uneven leveling |
Repeat corner leveling process |
| Paper feels different in center |
Bed not evenly leveled |
Recheck all corners and center |
| Prints warp or detach |
Poor first layer adhesion |
Re-level bed and clean print surface |
| Bed leveling keeps changing |
Loose hardware or springs |
Inspect leveling hardware |
| Extruder clicks during first layer |
Bed too close to nozzle |
Increase nozzle gap slightly |
Tips for Better Results
Heat the Bed Before Leveling
Always level with the bed heated to the target temperature specified in the tutorial.
Thermal expansion can affect leveling accuracy.
Use Consistent Paper Pressure
Try to maintain the same amount of paper friction at every corner.
Consistency is more important than excessive tightness.
Recheck After Moving the Printer
Transporting or moving the printer can affect bed alignment.
Re-level the bed after relocation.
Clean the Print Surface
Dust, glue buildup, or leftover filament can affect leveling accuracy.
Clean the print bed regularly.
Be Patient During Manual Leveling
Manual leveling often requires several adjustment passes before all corners become consistent.
Beginners commonly need multiple attempts before achieving reliable results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I level my 3D printer bed?
You should check leveling:
- Before important prints
- After moving the printer
- After nozzle replacement
- If first-layer issues appear
Why is A4 paper used for leveling?
A4 paper provides a simple reference thickness that helps estimate the correct nozzle gap.
The paper should slide with slight friction during leveling.
Why does the bed need to be heated to 60°C?
Heating compensates for thermal expansion and helps create more accurate leveling conditions.
What happens if the nozzle is too close to the bed?
The nozzle may:
- Scratch the surface
- Block filament flow
- Damage the build plate
- Cause poor extrusion
What happens if the nozzle is too far from the bed?
The filament may not stick properly, leading to:
- Weak adhesion
- Failed prints
- Uneven first layers
Why do I need to repeat leveling multiple times?
Adjusting one corner can slightly affect the others.
This is normal with manual leveling systems.
Can I level the bed while the printer is cold?
The original Longer procedure specifies heating the bed to 60°C before leveling.
Follow official machine instructions for best results.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to level a 3D printer is one of the most important beginner skills in FDM printing. A properly leveled bed improves first-layer adhesion, reduces failed prints, and helps produce cleaner, more reliable models.
By following this Longer 3D printer leveling tutorial carefully and using the A4 paper method, beginners can achieve stable and consistent printing results. If leveling still feels inconsistent after several attempts, repeat the process slowly and verify that the limit switch and bed hardware are installed correctly.
Consistent leveling is the foundation of successful 3D printing.
