- 3D printers
- 3D printer
13202
Prusa 13202 on a MK4 3D printer: hotend preheat error
Risk level
Medium
Proceed carefully and stop if the check is unclear.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
Prusa error 13202 on the MK4 means the nozzle did not rise more than 2 °C in 20 seconds and the printer cut heating for safety. Let it cool, check the room and the heater and thermistor cables at the LoveBoard.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Do not disable or bypass the thermal protection or change the firmware to clear the alert: it is what cuts the heat when the temperature does not add up. Do not open the printer's power supply or mains board: anything at mains voltage is for the service team.
- Prusa asks for the printer to be cooled down and switched off before you access any part or electronic board. The nozzle and the bed burn while they are hot.
Safe checks you can perform
- Stable room temperature
- LoveBoard cables in view
- Note when it appears
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: LoveBoard cables, fuse and main cable
- Do not attempt this professional task: Multimeter measurement
- Do not attempt this professional task: Case with Prusa support
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
LoveBoard cables, fuse and main cable
What they doThe technician checks the heater and thermistor cables at the LoveBoard, the fuse protecting the extruder on the xBuddy board and that the LoveBoard main cable is properly connected and not pinched.
They must show youthe state of cables and fuse.
In writingwhat was checked and replaced.
Multimeter measurement
What they doThe technician measures the resistance of the hotend heater and thermistor following the multimeter usage guide Prusa links to.
They must show youthe values measured against Prusa's guide.
In writingthe readings and the part replaced.
Case with Prusa support
What they doPrusa's 24/7 technical support guides the check of the toolhead or arranges the part if needed.
They must show youthe steps they ask for and why.
In writingcase number and part sent.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Stable room temperature
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- look at where the printer sits: Prusa asks for a stable ambient temperature above 18 °C.
- Result that matters:
- whether the room is cold or draughty.
- If it is cold or draughty:
- move the printer or fix the room before trying again.
- If the room is fine:
- the cause is in the printer.
- Evidence to keep:
- room temperature and time.
Evidence: Prusa Knowledge Base: Hotend preheat error #31202 (CORE One) #35202 (CORE One L) #26202 (MK4S) #13202 (MK4) #27202 (MK3.9S) #21202 (MK3.9)
LoveBoard cables in view
- Who:
- you, if you follow Prusa's guide for your model.
- How:
- with the printer cold and off, access the LoveBoard (on the MK4 the cover slides upward) and check whether the heater and thermistor cables are properly connected and undamaged along their length.
- Result that matters:
- seated connectors and uncut cables.
- If you see a loose connector:
- reseat it with the printer off.
- If you see a damaged cable:
- do not repair it yourself; ask for the part.
- Evidence to keep:
- photos of the LoveBoard and cables.
Evidence: Prusa Knowledge Base: Hotend preheat error #31202 (CORE One) #35202 (CORE One L) #26202 (MK4S) #13202 (MK4) #27202 (MK3.9S) #21202 (MK3.9)
Note when it appears
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- write down whether the error shows on the first heat of the day, mid print or every time, and what nozzle temperature was shown.
- Result that matters:
- whether the fault is constant or intermittent.
- If it is constant:
- it points to a broken part or cable.
- If it is intermittent:
- it points to a loose contact; tell the technician.
- Evidence to keep:
- notes with date, time and temperature.
Evidence: Prusa Knowledge Base: Hotend preheat error #31202 (CORE One) #35202 (CORE One L) #26202 (MK4S) #13202 (MK4) #27202 (MK3.9S) #21202 (MK3.9)
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- 3D printers
- Brand
- Prusa Research
- Product type
- 3D printer
Known code variants
- #13202
- 21202
- 26202
- 31202
- Error precalentamiento hotend
- Hotend preheat error
- Prusa 13202
What it means
Prusa explains this error appears when the printer cannot heat the nozzle more than 2 °C in 20 seconds. It then triggers a safety feature that instantly stops heating, shows the message and waits for you to inspect the parts. The error can come from any damage to the hotend heater or thermistor, their cables at the LoveBoard, the extruder fuse on the xBuddy board or the LoveBoard main cable. It is 26202 on the MK4S and 31202 on the CORE One.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Criticaleditorial warning
Do not disable or bypass the thermal protection or change the firmware to clear the alert: it is what cuts the heat when the temperature does not add up. Do not open the printer's power supply or mains board: anything at mains voltage is for the service team.
Evidence: Prusa Knowledge Base: Hotend preheat error #31202 (CORE One) #35202 (CORE One L) #26202 (MK4S) #13202 (MK4) #27202 (MK3.9S) #21202 (MK3.9)
- Highsource verified
Prusa asks for the printer to be cooled down and switched off before you access any part or electronic board. The nozzle and the bed burn while they are hot.
Evidence: Prusa Knowledge Base: Hotend preheat error #31202 (CORE One) #35202 (CORE One L) #26202 (MK4S) #13202 (MK4) #27202 (MK3.9S) #21202 (MK3.9)
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Damaged hotend heaterPossible
A damaged hotend heater does not raise the nozzle temperature and triggers the safety cut.
Evidence: Prusa Knowledge Base: Hotend preheat error #31202 (CORE One) #35202 (CORE One L) #26202 (MK4S) #13202 (MK4) #27202 (MK3.9S) #21202 (MK3.9)
- Damaged hotend thermistorPossible
If the hotend thermistor is damaged, the printer does not see the temperature rise even if the heater works.
Evidence: Prusa Knowledge Base: Hotend preheat error #31202 (CORE One) #35202 (CORE One L) #26202 (MK4S) #13202 (MK4) #27202 (MK3.9S) #21202 (MK3.9)
- LoveBoard cables, fuse or main cablePossible
Damaged heater or thermistor cables, the extruder fuse on the xBuddy or a badly connected main cable also cause it.
Evidence: Prusa Knowledge Base: Hotend preheat error #31202 (CORE One) #35202 (CORE One L) #26202 (MK4S) #13202 (MK4) #27202 (MK3.9S) #21202 (MK3.9)
Virtual technician
Does 13202 still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
Prusa Research · 2026 · official_doc
Was this entry useful?