How to pause at a layer in PrusaSlicer to change filament

In PrusaSlicer, slice, drag the vertical slider in the preview to the first layer of the new color and click the orange + icon to add a color change (M600). Right-click the + for Add Pause instead.

Used with: Prusa MK4S, CORE One, MINI and single-tool XL, plus any printer with a PrusaSlicer profile. Checked against PrusaSlicer 2.9.6 (September 2026).

Add the pause in PrusaSlicer

  1. 1

    Slice and open the preview

    Click Slice now. The preview shows a vertical layer slider on the right.

  2. 2

    Find the first layer of the new color

    Drag the slider up until the preview shows the first layer that prints only the new color. The label shows the height in mm with the layer number in brackets.

  3. 3

    Add a color change

    Click the orange + icon next to the slider handle. On a single-extruder printer this adds a color change (M600) before that layer.

  4. 4

    Or add a plain pause

    Right-click the + (Ctrl-click on a Mac) and choose Add Pause instead. PrusaSlicer asks for a message to show on the printer's display.

  5. 5

    Export and print

    Export the G-code or send it to the printer as usual.

Not sure which layer? Pick the first layer of the new color. How to find it.

The pause command

Prusa printer profiles come set up. For other printers, check Printer Settings → Custom G-code (Expert mode):

Color change G-codeM600
Pause Print G-codeM601 on Prusa printers; M0 or PAUSE elsewhere

Swap the filament at the printer

Start the print with the first color loaded. When it reaches the pause:

  1. 6

    Wait for the prompt

    At the color change, the printer parks and unloads the old filament.

  2. 7

    Load the new color

    Insert the new filament when asked. The printer loads it and purges.

  3. 8

    Confirm the color

    The printer asks whether the color is correct. Answer yes once it runs clean (no to purge more). Remove the purged strand and the print continues.

Remove a pause

Move the slider to the layer with the change and click the grey × icon next to the handle. Right-click it to edit the change or delete it.

Tips and common problems

  • Use a color change (M600) on Prusa printers: it unloads, loads and purges for you. A pause (M601) only stops and waits.
  • Color changes don't work with Complete individual objects (sequential printing).
  • Keep both colors the same material (PLA to PLA, PETG to PETG); the temperatures are set for the first one.

Common questions

What's the difference between Add Color Change and Add Pause in PrusaSlicer?
Add Color Change inserts M600: the printer unloads, asks for new filament, loads and purges it, then checks the color with you. Add Pause inserts M601: the printer just stops until you resume, showing the message you typed.
Does PrusaSlicer change color before or after the selected layer?
Before. The color change is inserted before the selected layer prints, so pick the first layer you want in the new color.