Failing Z calibration (MK3S/MK2.5S)

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The size of the extruder and the length of travel of the Z-axis is coded into the firmware. Therefore, if the assembly of the extruder, or the firmware for your extruder, is not correct, the calibration will most likely fail.

Extruder assembly

On top, the E3D heatsink has protrusions from its profile and running around the whole heatsink. These fit into the extruder body printed part, which has two corresponding notches for these (orange arrows).

The heatsink will fit if placed into both notches, but also when only covering the bottom notch. This will not inhibit the rest of the assembly procedure, but the nozzle will be about 1 cm lower and Z-axis will have a shorter travel-distance than what is expected by the firmware.

MK3S/MK2.5S extruder body	MK3/MK2.5 extruder body

How to check

If you have installed the heatsink too low you will see the heater block protruding down from below the fan shroud. With the correct assembly, only the tip of the nozzle should be visible.

Hotend installed correctly - Only nozzle visible	Hotend installed incorrectly - Hotend protruding

Correct assembly

The top lip of the heatsink is seated in the top notch of the plastic part (green arrows) and both notches of the plastic part are filled. If this needs to be corrected, follow this guide for the MK3S or this guide for the MK3, to access the hotend after assembly. Note, that the removal of the PTFE tube shown in the linked guide is not necessary to reseat the hotend.

Hotend installed correctly MK3S/MK2.5S	Hotend installed correctly MK3/MK2.5

Assembly is correct, calibration keeps failing

As mentioned, the travel distance of each axis is programmed to the firmware. If you load the MK3S/MK2.5S firmware in the MK3/MK2.5 (non S) machine, the calibration will keep on failing, because the length of the Z-axis coded in both firmware differs. Therefore, it is crucial to use the correct firmware when updating. MK3S and MK3S+ uses the same firmware.

The easiest way to see which version you have is to check the extruder. The MK3S/MK2.5S & MK3S+ has one idler tension screw and the MK3/MK2.5 has two (pictures below). 

Original Prusa MK3S/MK2.5S & MK3S+	Original Prusa MK3/MK2.5