PLA not sticking to the bed? A first-layer checklist

If the PLA is decorating the nozzle instead of the build plate, stop the print. The second layer will not rescue the first. Before changing temperatures, look at the lines already on the bed: are they rounded and separate, scraped nearly transparent, or lifting only in one spot?

Read the first layer

Separate, rounded lines can point to a nozzle that is too far from the plate. Scraped areas or very thin, uneven deposits can mean it is too close. Use the calibration procedure for your printer; some machines handle this automatically, while others require an offset adjustment. Lowering the nozzle without checking the surface can damage the plate.

Check the surface you actually have

Find the plate's name in your printer documentation and use its approved cleaning method. Smooth PEI, textured PEI, and coated specialty plates do not all accept the same cleaners or adhesives. Handle a removable plate by its edges after cleaning, and check that it is seated correctly.

A useful troubleshooting note is specific: record which plate was used, how it was cleaned, and where the print lifted. If every failure occurs in one area, include that detail when checking leveling or seeking printer support.

Confirm the material profile

For HARP PLA+, the recommended starting ranges are 190–210°C at the nozzle and 50–80°C at the bed. Select a PLA profile for your printer and nozzle size, then stay within those ranges and the plate manufacturer's limits. Raising temperature is only one possible adjustment. The bed-temperature control is not a universal “please stick” button.

Make the next attempt small

1. Print a short first-layer patch in the problem area.
2. Keep the same model and change one setting or preparation step.
3. Record whether the lines join evenly and stay attached.
4. Return to the full model only after the patch prints consistently.

If a clean first layer starts well but corners lift later, use the PLA warping guide. For the full starting profile, see HARP PLA+ print settings.

Further reading: Prusa's first-layer troubleshooting guide. Its machine-specific adjustments apply to the printers listed there.