Creality K1 & K1 Max - How to replace Hotend Assembly

Replacement K1 Max (Bi Metal Nozzle) Hotend Assembly(Older Volcano Style) : https://store.dremc.com.au/products/upgraded-creality-k1-ceramic-heating-block-kit-for-creality-k1-k1-max

Replacement K1 (Brass Nozzle) Hotend Assembly(Older Volcano Style): https://store.dremc.com.au/products/creality-k1-ceramic-heating-block-kit-for-creality-k1-k1-max

Replacement K1C / K1 Max (Hardened Nozzle) Hotend Assembly(Newer Unicorn Nozzle):

https://store.dremc.com.au/products/creality-k1-official-ceramic-heating-block-hotend-kit-for-creality-k1c

Aftermarket Replacements:

Micro Swiss: https://store.dremc.com.au/products/micro-swiss-flowtech%E2%84%A2-hotend-for-creality-k1-k1-max (Install Guide: Micro Swiss FlowTech™ Hotend for Creality K1 / K1 Max Install Guide)

TriangleLabs: https://store.dremc.com.au/products/trianglelab-chcb-ot-hotend-for-sprite-extruder-k1-k1-max

Hint: you may need small tweezers to help aid removing the connector, if you have trouble removing hot glue you can dap some 99% iso alcohol onto the hot glue to loosen it. Remember not to pull on wiring to prevent damages to wiring from the crimp.

Note: V2 Hotend still have pretty fragile heater wire, ensure take care when taking on and off sock and when cleaning filament blob.

How to distinguish if you have K1C / K1 Max (2024) vs K1/K1 Max (2023) : https://support.dremc.com.au/en/support/solutions/articles/51000426953-k1-k1-max-how-to-distinguish-which-hotend-you-have

How to Replace heat Sink: Creality K1 How to replace hotend Heat Sink

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Install Video: (K1/K1 Max - Older Edition)
• Install Video: (K1C/K1 Max - Newer 2024 Edition) - Unicorn Nozzle
• Third Party Video: (Credit: https://www.youtube.com/@omranello) (Full Toolhead Assembly)
• 2564 Error Trouble Shooting
• Written Guide (For Older K1 and K1 Max) 

Install Video: (K1/K1 Max - Older Edition)

Install Video: (K1C/K1 Max - Newer 2024 Edition) - Unicorn Nozzle

Third Party Video: (Credit: https://www.youtube.com/@omranello) (Full Toolhead Assembly)

2564 Error Trouble Shooting

This error display when hotend is not heating up as expected, either too slow or not at all. Ie, random spikes or temperature does not increase or slowly.

1. The thermal terminal wire is not plugged in when the nozzle is heated
2. The ceramic heating block/thermal wire of the nozzle is loose or not tightly inserted
3. Broken or cracked solder joints on the wires of the ceramic heating ring at the hot end.
4. Nozzle thermal loosening

Troubleshooting:

1. Open the nozzle cover, and then check whether the nozzle heating wire and thermal terminal block on the nozzle board are inserted in place, and also check whether the terminal is inserted in place
2. Remove the nozzle insulation sleeve and check for any other abnormal conditions such as cracks on the ceramic heating ring.
3. The thermal on the nozzle is loose.
4. Replace Nozzle Kit Hotend Kit Replacement

Written Guide (For Older K1 and K1 Max)

You can ignore all step require AI Lidarr for K1 or if you don't have lidarr sensor.

Source: https://wiki.creality.com/en/k1-flagship-series/k1-max/service-part/hotend-kit-replacement

This is mirror of above source guide, in case you have difficulty accessing it. 

Exploded Diagram of Hotend Kit

 1. Remove the filament and power off the machine.

 1.1 Set the nozzle temperature to 260°C, remove the blue clip on the extruder, press the latch to extract the PTFE tube, switch on the extruder kit, and remove the filament.

 1.2 Power off or set the nozzle temperature to 0°C.

 2. Disassemble the AI Lidar

Disconnect the transfer cable terminal on the left side of the nozzle sub-board and, use an Allen wrench to remove the two fixing screws above the AI Lidar.

 3. Disassemble the Fan Cover

 3.1 Remove the fixing screws on both sides of the fan cover.

 3.2 Take off the fan cover and unplug the cooling fan cable connector.

 4. Disassemble the Hotend

 4.1 Cool the hotend temperature down to room temperature, remove the silicone sleeve surrounding the hotend.

 4.2 Use an Allen wrench to disassemble the screw in the center of the heat sink and the two screws on the hotend.

 4.3 Unplug the heater cable connectors and the thermistor cable behind the nozzle sub-board and remove the hotend.

 5. Install a New Hotend

 5.1 Add appropriate thermal grease to the upper end of the throat tube, and insert the throat tube into the mounting hole of the heat sink.

 5.2 Turn the heating tube wire towards the front of the machine, then insert the connectors of the heating tube wire and thermistor into the corresponding terminal ports on the sub-board.

 5.3 Secure the hotend by tightening the hotend fixing screws and the upper screw of the throat tube. During the tightening process, ensure that the hotend is installed vertically, and that the mounting screws on both sides of the hotend bracket are equal in force.

 5.4 Align the silicone sleeve with the nozzle and slide it over the hotend, ensuring that the silicone sleeve completely covers the hotend.

 6. Reassemble the Extruder fan cover

Pick up the fan cover, insert the model cooling fan connector into the corresponding terminal port on the front of the nozzle sub-board, fasten the fan cover, and tighten the two screws on the left and right sides of the fan cover.

 7. Reassemble the AI Lidar

Insert the connectors for the AI Lidar connection cable into the corresponding mounting port on the nozzle sub-board, then insert the alignment posts at the top of the module into the alignment holes on the mounting bracket and secure them with the two screws.