Question:

I have an EPSON ET-16500 printer, and the black ink is always smearing. I noticed that the three color cartridges have an air pocket, while the black cartridge is solid ink without an air pocket. I believe this might be causing the issue. Do you have a tool to prime the cartridge, or should I purchase a new one? Could a new printhead be required? I've attached a nozzle check and a sample print showing the smearing. I also tried moving the printhead assembly over a slightly wet paper towel, but it didn't help. Have you seen this issue before?

Answer:
Thank you for contacting us at BCH Technologies. We are grateful for your engagement and support, particularly with regard to our YouTube channel. Your feedback plays a crucial role in further developing our technical expertise.

The issue you're experiencing with your EPSON ET-16500 printer, where the black ink is smearing, is likely due to an accumulation of ink underneath the printhead. This can cause the ink to spread unevenly, leading to smearing. Here are some detailed steps and tips to help you troubleshoot and potentially fix the problem:

1. Inspect the Ink Cartridges: The observation that the color cartridges have air pockets while the black cartridge does not is important. This could indicate that the black cartridge is overfilled or has a different issue. You may want to try priming the cartridge to ensure proper ink flow. If you need a priming tool, we have them available at BCH Technologies, or you might consider purchasing a new cartridge from us.
2. Clean the Printhead: Using a slightly wet paper towel to clean the printhead is a good start. However, make sure to thoroughly clean the area under the printhead to remove any excess ink that may have accumulated. This can help reduce smearing.
3. Nozzle Check Analysis: From the nozzle check, it seems that the nozzles show normal wear and tear, especially after printing 40,000 pages. While the color nozzles appear to be in good condition, the black nozzle shows some issues:
   • Top of the Black Nozzle: Only a few missing pixels, possibly due to air bubbles or clogs.
   • Bottom of the Black Nozzle: Some nozzles are firing prematurely, causing the black channels to overlap and double the ink in certain areas.
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   • When I take a closer look of the printout, you can see the ink overlapping clearly. Some areas get double the ink, some areas are empty.
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   • Possible Causes and Solutions:
4. • Printhead Malfunction: The premature firing of the nozzles may indicate a malfunctioning printhead. Replacing the printhead is a recommended first step.
   • FFC Cable: The Flat Flexible Cable (FFC) connecting the printhead to the mainboard might need cleaning or replacement. Ensure the connections are secure and free of debris.
   • Mainboard Issues: In some cases, the mainboard may be the cause of the problem, but this is less common.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility. Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. So, it might take a few weeks before we can get your printer to drop it off or mail it to us. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed if you opt for mail-in or local drop-off services. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we highly recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage. Look for specific videos using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be most efficient. Plus, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.

Thank you again for reaching out to us. Your support and feedback are invaluable to us at BCH Technologies. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.