# Loading and Unloading Filament (/docs/all/printing/load-filament)



This guide details the methods for loading and unloading filament into the Vision Miner 22IDEX V4, covering both automatic and manual procedures. Proper filament handling is crucial for successful prints and preventing damage to the extruder mechanism.

Properly loading filament ensures a consistent feed to the hotend, while correct unloading prevents clogs and damage. This guide covers the standard procedures using the built-in features and the Web Interface.

<Callout type="error" title="Hot surfaces and moving parts">
  Read the [Safety - Before You Begin](/docs/v4/reference/safety-before-you-begin) article to understand the hazards involved in working on the Vision Miner 22IDEX V4 – including electrical, thermal, mechanical, and chemical risks. All procedures in this wiki are provided as recommendations only. By choosing to follow any procedure, you do so at your own risk.
</Callout>

## Tools and Materials [#tools-and-materials]

* Filament spool (correct material type for your print)
* Flush cutters (for cutting filament)
* Heat-resistant gloves (optional, for safety)

<Callout type="info" title="Check extruder lever position before loading">
  Before loading or unloading, ensure the Extruder Gear Lever for the relevant toolhead is set to position `2`. The filament path from the spool to the inlet must be clear and unobstructed. For details, refer to the [Extruder Gear Lever](extruder-lever) article.
</Callout>

## 1. Automatic Loading [#1-automatic-loading]

1. **Place Spool:** Position the filament spool onto the holder inside the chamber. Ensure the filament feeds from the **bottom** of the spool towards the filament inlet, preventing sharp bends or tangles.

<DocImage size="large" alt="Filament spool positioned on holder feeding from bottom" ratio="16/9" />

2. **Access Web Interface:** Open the printer's Web Interface and navigate to the **Dashboard**.
3. **Initiate Load:** Click **Load Filament** for the desired tool (Tool 0 for Left, Tool 1 for Right).

<DocImage src="https://pub-e9ada5735e184a34a55b5e8f01a2be68.r2.dev/uploads/v4/web_interface/load_filament_dashboard_t0_t1_links.png" size="large" alt="Web Interface Dashboard showing Load Filament links for Tool 0 and Tool 1" ratio="16/9" />

4. **Select Material:** Choose the corresponding material type from the prompt that appears. The printer will home if it hasn't already.

<DocImage src="https://pub-e9ada5735e184a34a55b5e8f01a2be68.r2.dev/uploads/v4/web_interface/load_filament_material_selection_dialog.png" size="large" alt="Load Filament dialog with the list of filament materials to choose from" ratio="16/9" />

5. **Prepare Filament:** Cut the end of the filament at a sharp 45-degree angle using flush cutters. This creates a point for easier insertion.

<DocImage size="small" alt="Filament end cut at 45-degree angle with flush cutters" ratio="4/3" />

6. **Insert Filament:** Guide the cut end of the filament into the corresponding filament inlet tube for the selected tool.

<DocImage size="large" alt="Filament inlet tube location on extruder" ratio="16/9" />

7. **Feed to Gears:** Gently push the filament until you feel resistance, indicating it has reached the extruder drive gears.
8. **Engage Extruder:** Click **Extrude** in the Web Interface prompt. The machine will begin automatically pulling the filament through the extruder and towards the hotend.

<DocImage src="https://pub-e9ada5735e184a34a55b5e8f01a2be68.r2.dev/uploads/v4/web_interface/load_filament_loading_in_progress_heating.png" size="large" alt="Dashboard during automatic loading with the tool heating to the material temperature" ratio="16/9" />

9. **Check Extrusion:** The interface will ask if you want to extrude more filament.
   * If the new filament color/type is not yet visibly extruding from the nozzle, select **Extrude more**.
   * Once you see the new filament consistently extruding, confirm by selecting **Yes, filament is extruding**.
   * If you click **Extrude more** multiple times and don't feel the gears grabbing the filament, see the FAQ: [Filament Won't Engage with Gears](#faq-wont-engage).

<DocImage size="small" alt="Web Interface load filament prompt showing extrude options" ratio="16/9" />

## 2. Automatic Unloading [#2-automatic-unloading]

10. **Access Web Interface:** Navigate to the **Dashboard** in the Web Interface.
11. **Initiate Unload:** Click the loaded filament name under the corresponding tool (for example, `T0 - ABS or ASA`) and select **Unload Filament** from the menu that appears.

<DocImage src="https://pub-e9ada5735e184a34a55b5e8f01a2be68.r2.dev/uploads/v4/web_interface/unload_filament_menu_change_unload.png" size="large" alt="Tool filament menu with Change Filament and Unload Filament options" ratio="16/9" />

12. **Automatic Retraction:** The printer will automatically preheat the nozzle to the appropriate temperature and retract the filament out of the hotend and extruder.

<DocImage src="https://pub-e9ada5735e184a34a55b5e8f01a2be68.r2.dev/uploads/v4/web_interface/unload_filament_retraction_in_progress.png" size="large" alt="Dashboard during automatic unloading with the tool heated to the retraction temperature" ratio="16/9" />

13. **Remove Spool:** Wait for the machine to signal completion (often via a prompt in the Web Interface). Gently pull the filament fully out of the guide tube.

<Callout type="info" title="Secure filament to prevent tangling">
  As the filament is retracted, hold the loose end and guide it back onto the spool, securing it to prevent tangling. Remove the spool from the chamber.
</Callout>

## 3. Manual Loading [#3-manual-loading]

14. **Place Spool:** Position the filament spool onto the holder inside the chamber, ensuring filament feeds from the **bottom** towards the inlet.
15. **Activate Tool:** In the Web Interface **Dashboard**, pre-activate the tool you intend to load (T0 for Left, T1 for Right). The selected tool's status area will highlight, and the heater state will show as active.
16. **Set Temperature:** In the tool's status area, enter the appropriate printing temperature for your filament (refer to manufacturer recommendations) and click **Set**, or select a pre-defined material. Wait for the nozzle to reach the target temperature.

<DocImage size="small" alt="Web Interface tool status area with temperature setting controls" ratio="16/9" />

17. **Prepare Filament:** Cut the end of the filament at a sharp 45-degree angle.
18. **Feed Filament:** Insert the cut end into the corresponding filament inlet tube until it stops, indicating it has reached the extruder gears.
19. **Extrude Filament:** Scroll down to the **Extrusion Control** section in the Dashboard.

* Set &#x2A;*Amount (mm)** to `50`.
* Set &#x2A;*Feedrate (mm/min)** equivalent to `7 mm/s` (which is `420 mm/min`).
* Gently push the filament while simultaneously clicking the **Extrude** button.

20. **Confirm Extrusion:** Continue clicking **Extrude** until you see filament consistently extruding from the nozzle. Ensure the extruder gears are gripping and pulling the filament smoothly.

<DocImage src="https://pub-e9ada5735e184a34a55b5e8f01a2be68.r2.dev/uploads/v4/web_interface/load_filament_extrusion_control_manual.png" size="large" alt="Web Interface Extrusion Control section showing amount and feedrate settings" ratio="16/9" />

<Callout type="info" title="If gears don't grab filament">
  If you repeatedly click **Extrude** but don't feel the gears grabbing the filament, see the FAQ: [Filament Won't Engage with Gears](#faq-wont-engage).
</Callout>

## 4. Manual Unloading [#4-manual-unloading]

<Callout type="info" title="Use lower retraction temperature">
  For retraction, set the temperature slightly lower than the printing temperature but high enough for the filament to soften (e.g., if printing Nylon at `300°C`, retract at `250°C`). This helps prevent molten plastic from fouling the cold-end drive mechanism.
</Callout>

21. **Preheat Nozzle:** Activate the correct tool and set the temperature as described above.
22. **Retract Filament:** In the **Extrusion Control** section:

* Set &#x2A;*Amount (mm)** to `250` (or more if needed to clear the tube).
* Set &#x2A;*Feedrate (mm/min)** equivalent to `10 mm/s` (which is `600 mm/min`).
* Click the **Retract** button. Repeat if necessary.

23. **Remove Filament:** Once the filament is fully retracted past the extruder gears, gently pull it completely out of the guide tube.

<Callout type="info" title="Secure filament to spool">
  As the filament is removed, hold the loose end and guide it back onto the spool, securing it to prevent tangling. Remove the spool from the chamber.
</Callout>

## FAQ [#faq]

<Accordions>
  <Accordion title="Filament won't feed into extruder" id="faq-wont-feed">
    **Symptoms:** Filament stops before reaching the extruder gears or won't enter the inlet tube.

    **Causes:**

    * Filament end not cut at proper angle
    * Extruder Gear Lever not in position `2`
    * Obstructions or old filament pieces in the path
    * PTFE guide tube misaligned or not fully seated

    **Solutions:**

    1. Ensure the filament end is cut cleanly at a 45-degree angle
    2. Check that the Extruder Gear Lever is correctly set to position `2`
    3. Inspect for obstructions or old filament pieces
    4. If filament stops just before gears, carefully adjust the PTFE guide tube

    <Callout type="warn" title="Hot components inside chamber">
      The extruder area can be hot. Use caution or wear heat-resistant gloves. Reach inside the chamber and gently wiggle the white PTFE tube where it enters the extruder body. Ensure it is fully seated and perpendicular to the extruder inlet. Try feeding again while adjusting the tube.
    </Callout>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Filament won't engage with gears during loading" id="faq-wont-engage">
    **Symptoms:** Clicking **Extrude** doesn't cause gears to grip filament, even after multiple attempts.

    **Cause:** Filament tip doesn't perfectly align with the extruder gear inlet.

    **Solution:**

    While clicking **Extrude** (either in the Automatic Load prompt or Manual Control section), use one hand to gently push the filament into the inlet. With your other hand, carefully reach inside the chamber and wiggle the white PTFE tube right where it enters the top of the extruder body. Ensure the tube is straight and perpendicular to the extruder entry point. This combined action often helps guide the filament tip correctly into the gears.

    <Callout type="warn" title="Be mindful of hot components">
      Be careful when reaching inside the chamber, as components may be hot.
    </Callout>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Filament gets stuck during unload" id="faq-stuck-unload">
    **Symptoms:** Filament won't retract from hotend, or retracts partially then stops.

    **Causes:**

    * Nozzle temperature too low for filament to soften
    * Temperature too high causing bulge at filament tip
    * Severe blockage in hotend

    **Solutions:**

    1. Try adjusting temperature slightly (+/- 10°C) and attempt retraction again
    2. For severe blockages:
       * Manually heat the nozzle
       * Release the extruder tension lever
       * Carefully pull filament out
       * Refer to the [Extruder Gear Lever](extruder-lever) article for lever operation
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Filament tangled on spool" id="faq-tangled">
    **Symptoms:** Filament wraps around itself on spool, preventing smooth feeding.

    **Cause:** Loose filament end allowed to unwind from spool.

    **Solution:**

    Always secure the loose end of the filament to the spool immediately after unloading or when storing it. Use the provided holes or clips on the spool rim. Never let the end loose, as this is how tangles start.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="When should I use the Cold Pull procedure?" id="faq-cold-pull">
    Use the Cold Pull procedure when switching between materials with significantly different printing temperatures (e.g., PEEK to PLA or vice versa). Residual high-temperature material can solidify at lower temperatures and cause blockages. The Cold Pull removes trapped material from the nozzle. See the [Cold Pull](../maintenance/cold-pull) article for detailed instructions.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use spools outside the heated chamber?" id="faq-external-spool">
    Yes, for specific needs like using oversized spools or materials sensitive to chamber heat, refer to the [External Spool Holder Setup](../../v4/printing/large-spool) guide.
  </Accordion>
</Accordions>

## Support [#support]

If you could not find an answer here, reach out to our [support team](/support).