Question:

I have an Epson L1800 printer that is printing blank pages. I've checked the mainboard, and both the F1 fuse and the Driver chip appear to be working correctly. I've also replaced the printhead. How do I determine if the entire main board needs replacement or if something else is wrong? Could a cable or wire be causing the issue? How should I troubleshoot this? Additionally, what is the time frame to get my main board tested and repaired if necessary?

Answer:

Thank you for reaching out to us at BCH Technologies. We appreciate your engagement and support, especially with our YouTube channel BCH Technologies. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us enhance our technical expertise.

To address your issue with the Epson L1800 printer where no ink is coming out of the printhead, even after performing several maintenance steps, here are some detailed troubleshooting steps you can follow:

1. The Printhead:The reliability of the printhead you purchase is often reflected in its price. Generally, if you buy a printhead for under $100, it's likely a scam. If the price ranges from $150 to $200, it’s typically a refurbished printhead, which may not be guaranteed to work. However, if you spend over $300, you can usually expect a brand new printhead, providing peace of mind regarding its reliability.

2. FFC Cables: Ensure that all FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) connections are secure and properly seated. Inspect each connection carefully for any signs of looseness or damage, as a faulty or improperly connected cable could be the source of the issue.

3. Capping Station Functionality: It's crucial to ensure the capping station is functioning 100% correctly. This component is vital for replacing the shipping fluid inside new printheads with ink. If the capping station is clogged or malfunctioning, the ink cannot replace the shipping fluid, resulting in blank prints. You can check the capping station's functionality through this video guide.
4. Inspect the Dampers: The printer’s built-in function might not be powerful enough to fill the dampers. Remove the dampers and inspect to see if they are filled with ink. If not, follow this video on priming the dampers. Although it's not the same model, the process to prime the damper is the same. After priming the damper, perform a cleaning to see if ink is coming out of the waste tube. If ink comes out, then your ink system is functioning properly, and you may need to investigate the electronics.
5. Epson Adjustment Program: Since you have used the Epson Adjustment Program, note that the "Power Clean" function can only be used every 12 hours. Using it more frequently or performing multiple cleanings back to back can cause issues.
6. Inspect the F1 Fuse on the Mainboard: A blown fuse could prevent the printer from functioning correctly. While you've already checked this, it might be worthwhile to have someone double-check.
7. Examine the Driver Chip IC: Similarly, while you've inspected the Driver Chip, a second opinion could be beneficial to ensure it's working correctly.

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 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. We appreciate your support and hope these steps help resolve your printer issue. If you need further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us.