3D Printer leveling tutorial follow by steps

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
  • Requirements
  • Precautions
• 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:

1. Make sure the limit switch is installed correctly.
2. Heat the hot bed to 60°C.
3. Prepare one piece of A4 paper.
4. Enter leveling mode on the touch screen.
5. Move the nozzle to each corner in sequence.
6. Adjust the leveling knobs until the paper has slight friction between the nozzle and the bed.
7. 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:

1. Loosen the fixing screw of the limit switch
2. 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:

1. Place the A4 paper between the nozzle and the print bed
2. Slowly adjust the leveling knob under the print bed
3. 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

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.