Why won't my filament feed through the extruder anymore? Printer: Monoprice Select V2.

I've done several prints already and swapped out filaments many times but in my most recent swap, I can't feed my PLA through any more.

I first preheat my extruder for PLA temps (185&nbsp;&deg;C). Then I press the plastic thingy to allow me to push as much of the filament into the hole as possible. Then I adjust my extruder position to try to suck it in. Usually after a few mm, I start to see the filament come out of the extruder and I also feel a pull on the filament from the top. But nothing is happening now.

However, if I adjust the extruder position in the opposite direction, it eventually pushes the filament back up and out, so I guess the "stepper motor" (is that what it's called?) is working (at least in one direction).

I'm getting ready to open the extruder module up to see what's going on, but wanted to see if anyone had any simple ideas for me to try before I unscrew anything.
I figured out the issue. I think I was shoving it in the wrong hole.

I took apart my extruder component. There's a good video on it here.
But basically, you just have to loosen the two bottom screws on the side fan like this:


I checked everything out first. I cleaned the extruder head with the included pin. I also shoved the filament through the heated area and filament came out ok.


But then I discovered the filament could go in the wrong way sometimes through the extruder.

This is the correct way for the filament to go through. It should come out of that plastic hole.


But once in awhile, I accidentally pushed the filament through this way.


If the filament was bent and I pushed the lever too hard, it would often find its way down the wrong path.
So I played around with how much force I should be holding down the  lever and how hard I should be pushing the filament through.

I don't know if other 3D printer extruder feeders are designed this way, but seems error prone. Or maybe it's just me.