Manually Level Ender 3 S1

User Manual & Calibration Guide

Ender 3 S1 Series

Preparation Guide

Tools Needed:

  • A4 paper or feeler gauge (0.1mm)
  • Isopropyl alcohol (99%)
  • Lint-free cloth
  • Hex wrench set
  • Spirit level

Pre-Leveling Checklist

  1. Clean Build Plate: Thoroughly clean the PEI spring steel plate with isopropyl alcohol to remove any residue.
  2. Preheat Printer: Preheat both the nozzle and bed to printing temperature (Nozzle: 200°C, Bed: 60°C).
  3. Home All Axes: Use the "Auto Home" function to position the print head at the starting point.
  4. Disable Steppers: Disable stepper motors to allow free movement of the print head and bed.
  5. Check Frame Alignment: Ensure the printer frame is square and all bolts are properly tightened.
  6. Inspect Wheels: Check that all V-slot wheels are properly tensioned and roll smoothly.
  7. Verify Z-offset: Ensure the CR-Touch probe is properly calibrated before manual leveling.
Warning: Always perform manual leveling with the printer at operating temperature to account for thermal expansion. Never touch the hotend during or immediately after heating.

Printer Specifications

Model Series Ender 3 S1 / S1 Pro
Build Volume 220 x 220 x 270 mm
Hotend Type Sprite Direct Drive Extruder
Max Nozzle Temp 300°C (S1 Pro: 300°C, S1: 260°C)
Max Bed Temp 100°C (S1 Pro: 100°C, S1: 80°C)
Leveling System CR-Touch Auto Bed Leveling + Manual
Print Speed 150 mm/s (Max), 60 mm/s (Recommended)
Filament Diameter 1.75 mm
Power Requirements 24V DC, 350W (Meanwell PSU on S1 Pro)
Dimensions (HxWxD) 463 x 476 x 622 mm
Weight 8.5 kg
Display 4.3-inch Color Touch Screen

Warranty Information

  • Standard Warranty: 1 year parts and labor
  • Extended Support: Community forums and online resources
  • Firmware Updates: Free lifetime firmware updates available

For warranty service, contact Creality Customer Service or visit Creality.com

Manual Leveling Process

Four-Point Leveling System

The Ender 3 S1 uses a traditional four-point leveling system with spring-loaded knobs under the build plate. Manual leveling adjusts these four points to create a perfectly flat printing surface.

CR-Touch Integration

While the CR-Touch provides automatic bed leveling compensation, manual leveling creates the flat reference plane that the probe measurements are based on.

Paper Test Method

Using standard printer paper (approximately 0.1mm thick) provides the ideal gap between nozzle and bed for proper first layer adhesion.

Progressive Tightening

Always level in a specific sequence (center → front left → front right → rear right → rear left) and make multiple passes for best results.

Step-by-Step Leveling Procedure

Step 1: Center Point

Move nozzle to bed center. Adjust Z-offset until paper has slight resistance when pulled.

Step 2: Front Left

Move to front left corner. Adjust bed knob until paper has same resistance as center.

Step 3: Front Right

Move to front right corner. Adjust bed knob until paper has same resistance.

Step 4: Rear Right

Move to rear right corner. Adjust bed knob until paper has same resistance.

Step 5: Rear Left

Move to rear left corner. Adjust bed knob until paper has same resistance.

Step 6: Recheck All Points

Repeat steps 2-5 at least twice more to compensate for adjustments affecting other points.

Final Verification

  1. Run a manual mesh leveling test print
  2. Check first layer adhesion across entire bed
  3. Save settings to EEPROM
  4. Run CR-Touch auto leveling sequence
  5. Save mesh to slot 0 for automatic loading

Troubleshooting

Problem Possible Cause Solution
Nozzle too close to bed Over-tightened leveling knobs, incorrect Z-offset Raise Z-offset, loosen all knobs and restart leveling process
Nozzle too far from bed Under-tightened leveling knobs, incorrect Z-offset Lower Z-offset, tighten all knobs evenly and re-level
Uneven first layer Warped bed, inconsistent leveling, worn springs Check bed flatness with straight edge, replace springs if necessary
Bed adhesion issues Dirty build surface, incorrect temperature, poor leveling Clean with IPA, increase bed temp, re-level more precisely
CR-Touch errors during leveling Probe deployment issues, wiring problems, firmware bugs Check probe deployment, verify wiring, update firmware
Leveling doesn't hold Loose knobs, weak springs, vibration during printing Upgrade to stiffer springs, add locking nuts to knobs

Common Error Codes

  • Err: MAXTEMP BED: Bed thermistor issue - Check wiring and connections
  • Err: MINTEMP BED: Bed thermistor open circuit - Replace thermistor
  • Probe Error: CR-Touch failure - Check probe wiring and deployment
  • Homing Failed: Endstop issues - Check limit switches and wiring
  • Thermal Runaway: Heating failure - Check heater cartridge and thermistor
  • Mesh Validation Failed: Leveling probe inconsistency - Clean probe tip and retry

Manual Downloads

Ender 3 S1 Series Manuals

Ender 3 S1

Standard Edition Manual

Ender 3 S1 Pro

Professional Edition Manual

Ender 3 S1 Plus

Large Volume Edition

Ender 3 S1 F1

High-Speed Edition

Related Firmware & Software

Marlin Firmware

Latest Stable Release

Download BIN

Creality Slicer

4.8.2 Version

Download EXE

Calibration Tools

Bed Leveling Tests

Download GCODE

Maintenance Guide

Printer Maintenance PDF

Note: Always download firmware and software from official Creality sources. For models not listed here, please visit the Creality Support Website for complete documentation.