Place the spool so it unwinds toward the runout path without pulling sideways. Cut a clean tip and straighten the first few centimeters.
Select the PLA or TPU preheat that matches the material, squeeze the extruder release lever and feed filament until it reaches the nozzle. Use Auto Feed and watch for a smooth strand. Keep fingers away from the hot block.
For unloading, heat to the current material’s extrusion temperature and use Auto Retreat. Pull only after the drive has released it. If a swollen tip catches, stop and inspect rather than forcing it through the sensor.
When changing polymers, purge at the higher suitable temperature until the new color flows cleanly, then return to the new material’s normal setting. Secure the old spool end immediately to prevent a hidden crossing.
Good spool placement and clean loading habits matter more when filament has been sitting for a while; our general filament storage guide covers keeping spools dry and organized between prints. Once a new material is loaded, the Cura profile guide covers matching slicer settings to whatever you just switched to.