WTF is wrong with my printer???

[curious aardvark]

the first few layers can look like that if the nozzle is too close to the bed.
But in your case it's more likely a physical blockage or constriction.

Have you changed or cleaned the nozzle yet ?
if not - do that :-)
you've definitely got under extrusion. nine times out of ten it's a feed issue or a partially clogged nozzle.

On bowden printers you can get constrictions in the bowden tube feed system which cause this kind of issue.

what slicer are you using ?

[Crt]

the first few layers can look like that if the nozzle is too close to the bed.
But in your case it's more likely a physical blockage or constriction.

Have you changed or cleaned the nozzle yet ?
if not - do that :-)
you've definitely got under extrusion. nine times out of ten it's a feed issue or a partially clogged nozzle.

On bowden printers you can get constrictions in the bowden tube feed system which cause this kind of issue.

what slicer are you using ?

I cleaned the first nozzle then when it didn't help, I switched it with a new one, which also didn't work.
I used a thingiverse that worked before. I also tried an online slicer (astroprint) and Cura. they all gave me the same result.

i also thought it might be a Z axis problem so I undid the bolts holding it a little...then I tried tightening them and there's not much difference in either case.

A friend suggested that the stepper drivers might be partially blown and that I should switch the Z one with one of the other two. However I have an Ender 3 and the drivers are attached to the board.
Maybe it's just a current problem on the motor drivers, I honestly have no good idea as to what it could be.

What are my options?