Common Print Quality Problems & Fixes

Check the Print Defect Visual Glossary first if you don't know the name of what you're seeing — this article covers the MK4-specific fix for each one.

First layer not sticking

1. Clean the print sheet with warm water and dish soap — the same fingerprint/oil issue applies as on the MK3S+.
2. Re-run the loadcell first-layer calibration from the Calibration Wizard rather than manually adjusting an offset — the MK4 doesn't have a manual Live-Z knob workflow the way the MK3S+ does; the loadcell measurement is the source of truth.
3. If it's inconsistent across the bed rather than uniformly off, re-run the full mesh calibration.

Ringing / ghosting

Run (or re-run) Input Shaping calibration — this is the MK4's primary tool for this defect, replacing manual jerk/acceleration tuning. If ringing appears after previously being fine, something has usually changed mechanically (loose belt, moved printer) rather than needing a settings change.

Stringing and blobs

See the Filament & Material Guide for temperature ranges. The Nextruder's direct-drive design generally needs less retraction distance than older Bowden-style setups — start from PrusaSlicer's MK4 filament profile defaults rather than reusing MK3S+ retraction settings.

Under-extrusion

Confirm the loadcell first-layer calibration is current before suspecting the extruder itself — an inaccurate first layer can look like under-extrusion throughout a print. If that's not it, check the Nextruder's gear and idler the same way as the MK3S+'s extruder (see the MK3S+ guide's Extruder Clicking, Grinding & Under-Extrusion — the diagnostic steps carry over even though the hardware differs).

Tip: Because the MK4 automates so much of calibration, a sudden quality regression is more often a mechanical change (dust, a loose screw, a bumped printer) than a setting that needs tuning — check the physical printer before reaching for slicer settings.