Troubleshooting Your Epson L 1800 Printer: Common Issues and Fixes
- By Kevin Day
- On May 21, 2024
- Comment 0
Question: How Can I Fix My Epson L 1800 Printer That Won't Print?
I have followed several of your videos for testing the main board, ink lines, dampers, etc., but the printer still will not print. I've replaced both transistors (C6082, A2210), the F1 fuse, and now bought one of your print heads. I can run the head cleaning and see ink on the waste pad, as well as the ink flowing out to the waste tank. Just wondering if you had any other suggestion I can check or should I just send the mainboard to you guys?
Answer:
Thank you for contacting us at BCH Technologies. We are grateful for your engagement and support, particularly with our YouTube channel [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. Your feedback plays a crucial role in further developing our technical expertise.
It's great to hear that you have been proactive in troubleshooting your Epson L 1800 printer. Congratulations on making progress with the printhead cleanings and ensuring the printer is in the printing motion. Given that you've replaced the F1 fuse, which is often the culprit behind a lack of ink flow, the next step would be to examine the mainboard's driver chip.
The first step is to ensure all FFC cables are in good condition and securely and correctly connected.
Next, we recommend checking the driver chip on the mainboard, specifically the SOP28 E09A7218A 218A Printer Driver Chip [https://bchtechnologies.com/sop28-e09a7218a-218a-printer-driver-chip-for-epson-integrated-circuit-ic-l1800-artisan-1430-1390/]. If you need assistance testing this chip, here is a helpful video. Members of our YouTube channel can watch it here [https://youtu.be/zooW2A9mPRM]. Non-members can find most of the information here [https://studio.youtube.com/video/SHXNfwHVjvM].
If the driver chip tests fine, the next step is to inspect the printing output area on the mainboard. Check the capacitors around this area to ensure they are functioning correctly. Additionally, using monitoring equipment to verify that the correct signal is being sent to the printhead would be beneficial.
Ensure you have a good printhead, as a faulty printhead can also cause printing issues. Since you purchased the printhead from us, it should be fine. However, if you reinstalled the previous printhead, which damaged the mainboard, it might cause further issues. Most new printheads are filled with shipping fluid and need to be flushed after installation. It’s good to see you have already done printhead cleaning. If you use Epson's Adjustment Program, avoid running too many "strong" cleanings. If you use Epson's built-in driver and select power flushing (Printer and Scanners -> L1800 Printer -> Printing Preferences -> Maintenance -> Power Ink Flushing), you will notice Epson warns that this could damage the printhead and advises against running this function within 12 hours of the last one. I've seen people repeatedly perform power cleanings on new printheads until the printhead is completely ruined.
Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. For instance, resolving a simple clog might involve advice on unclogging procedures. However, if the printer remained inactive during downtime, a comprehensive service for the ink system could be necessary. Situations like a "paper jam" can arise from hundreds of potential causes, and solving such an issue has become something of an in-office jest. 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 [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]. 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 [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. 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 interest and support.