Preparation
Before You Begin:
- Ensure the printer is on a stable, level surface
- Clean the print bed thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol
- Heat the bed to 60°C and nozzle to 200°C
- Home all axes using the printer's control panel
- Disable stepper motors for manual adjustment
Why Manual Leveling is Important
- First Layer Adhesion: Proper leveling ensures even first layer adhesion across the entire print surface.
- Print Quality: Eliminates elephant foot, warping, and uneven extrusion issues.
- Nozzle Protection: Prevents nozzle damage from scraping against the print bed.
- CR-Touch Compensation: Even with auto-leveling, manual leveling provides a better starting point for the probe.
- Long-term Consistency: Manual leveling establishes a reliable baseline for consistent prints.
Tools Required
| Essential Tools | 0.2mm Feeler Gauge, 0.1mm Paper |
| Adjustment Tool | Included Bed Leveling Knob Wrench |
| Cleaning Supplies | Isopropyl Alcohol, Lint-free Cloth |
| Measurement | Digital Caliper (Optional) |
| Temperature | Infrared Thermometer (Optional) |
| Surface Check | Straight Edge Ruler |
Recommended Tool Specifications
- Feeler Gauge: 0.15mm to 0.25mm range (0.2mm ideal for PLA)
- Paper Method: Standard printer paper (0.1mm thickness)
- Bed Surface: PEI spring steel sheet (included with Ender 3 S1)
- Nozzle Type: 0.4mm brass nozzle (standard)
For optimal results, use the same tool consistently for all leveling sessions. Mixing methods can lead to inconsistent results.
Manual Leveling Steps
Step 1: Home and Preheat
Navigate to "Prepare > Auto Home" on the display. Then preheat bed to 60°C and nozzle to 200°C. Wait 5 minutes for temperature stabilization.
Step 2: Disable Steppers
Go to "Prepare > Disable Stepper" to allow free movement of the X and Y axes. This enables manual positioning of the print head.
Step 3: Position Nozzle
Manually move the print head to the first leveling point (front left corner). Use gentle pressure to avoid damaging components.
Step 4: Check Gap
Slide the 0.2mm feeler gauge or paper between nozzle and bed. You should feel slight resistance when moving the gauge.
Step 5: Adjust Knob
Turn the bed leveling knob clockwise to raise the bed (decrease gap) or counterclockwise to lower (increase gap). Make small adjustments.
Step 6: Repeat Points
Repeat steps 3-5 for all four corners in this order: Front Left → Front Right → Rear Right → Rear Left. Complete 2-3 full cycles.
Four-Point Leveling Sequence
Point 1: Front Left
Position: X=35mm, Y=35mm. First reference point for establishing initial gap.
Point 2: Front Right
Position: X=235mm, Y=35mm. Check diagonal consistency with Point 1.
Point 3: Rear Right
Position: X=235mm, Y=235mm. Establishes rear plane alignment.
Point 4: Rear Left
Position: X=35mm, Y=235mm. Final check completes the leveling plane.
Center Point
Position: X=135mm, Y=135mm. Final verification after corners are set.
CR-Touch Calibration
Run auto-leveling after manual leveling to create mesh compensation.
Verification & Testing
| Test Type | Procedure | Expected Result |
|---|---|---|
| Paper Test | Check all 5 points with standard paper | Light resistance at all points, consistent feel |
| First Layer Test | Print single layer 200x200mm square | Even extrusion, no gaps or over-compression |
| Visual Inspection | Observe first layer under bright light | Uniform texture, consistent line width |
| Corner Consistency | Measure height at all four corners | Variation less than 0.1mm between corners |
| Adhesion Test | Print small calibration objects at corners | Equal adhesion strength at all locations |
| Mesh Visualization | Check bed mesh via OctoPrint or display | Flat mesh with minimal variation (±0.1mm) |
Verification Print Settings
- Test File: "First Layer Calibration" from Creality website
- Layer Height: 0.2mm (initial layer)
- Print Speed: 20mm/s for first layer
- Bed Temperature: 60°C for PLA
- Nozzle Temperature: 200°C for PLA
- Flow Rate: 100% (no adjustments needed)
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle too close to bed | Over-tightened leveling knobs, incorrect Z-offset | Lower bed at all corners, recheck Z-offset setting |
| Nozzle too far from bed | Under-tightened knobs, worn springs | Raise bed evenly, consider stiffer springs |
| Uneven first layer | Warped bed, inconsistent leveling | Check bed flatness with straight edge, relevel |
| Bed level changes frequently | Loose eccentric nuts, worn springs | Tighten eccentric nuts on Y carriage, upgrade springs |
| CR-Touch inconsistent with manual level | Probe offset miscalibration, dirty probe | Clean probe tip, recalibrate probe Z-offset |
| Knobs won't hold adjustment | Worn spring tension, incorrect knob position | Upgrade to stiffer springs, use nylon lock nuts |
Common Error Indicators
- Elephant Foot: Nozzle too close - lower bed 1/8 turn at all corners
- Poor Adhesion: Nozzle too far - raise bed evenly, clean surface
- Uneven Lines: Bed not level - complete full leveling cycle
- Scraping Noise: Nozzle contacting bed - immediately stop and relevel
- Corner Lift: Temperature uneven - ensure full preheat, use enclosure
- Diagonal Inconsistency: Frame misalignment - check printer squareness
Manual Downloads
Ender 3 S1 Series Manuals
Ender 3 S1
Standard Manual Leveling Guide
Ender 3 S1 Pro
Professional Calibration Manual
Ender 3 S1 Plus
Large Bed Leveling Guide
Ender 3 S1 F1
High-Speed Leveling Manual
Related Calibration Files
Bed Level Test
9-Point Calibration STL
First Layer Test
Adhesion Calibration GCODE
CR-Touch Guide
Auto Leveling Setup Manual
Maintenance Schedule
Printer Maintenance Checklist