Fixing Grinding Noises and Blinking Red Lights on DTF L1800 After Capping Station and Printhead Replacement
- By Kevin Day
- On Nov 06, 2024
- Comment 0
Question: I recently replaced the ink pad top on the capping station and installed a new printhead on my DTF L1800. After setup, the printer boots up, but I hear a grinding noise, and two red lights start blinking. It seems like the printhead is stuck on the capping station. How can I resolve this?
Answer: Thank you for reaching out, and I apologize for the delay. I understand how pressing printer issues can be, especially when they halt production. At BCH Technologies (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies), we value your support and appreciate your engagement with our YouTube channel. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us continue to expand our technical knowledge and support resources.
Your description suggests that the issue may be with the alignment of the capping station or the height at which it’s installed. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you troubleshoot and address this issue.
To manually adjust the capping station gears, follow these steps:
To check for this:
Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. As a result, we cannot provide remote troubleshooting or repair support for such issues. However, we offer an in-person evaluation and repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service) through our local diagnostic facility. Due to high demand, service is available on a first-come, first-served basis, which may result in a waiting period of a few weeks. We offer services for both complete printer repairs and specific component issues, with options for mail-in or drop-off services. Given that our rates may be higher than local alternatives, we recommend exploring DIY options like our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) for additional guidance. Use the search icon on our channel’s homepage to find videos specific to your issue.
Thank you again for trusting BCH Technologies. We hope this guide helps you restore your printer’s functionality and get back to smooth printing!
Answer: Thank you for reaching out, and I apologize for the delay. I understand how pressing printer issues can be, especially when they halt production. At BCH Technologies (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies), we value your support and appreciate your engagement with our YouTube channel. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us continue to expand our technical knowledge and support resources.
Your description suggests that the issue may be with the alignment of the capping station or the height at which it’s installed. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you troubleshoot and address this issue.
Step 1: Check Capping Station Synchronization
The capping station includes gears that control the positions of the rubber wiper and the white lock mechanism. When the rubber wiper is down, the white lock should be up, and vice versa. If these components are out of sync, the printhead could collide with the white lock, causing the grinding noise and triggering the red blinking lights.To manually adjust the capping station gears, follow these steps:
- Use a flathead screwdriver to access the adjustment mechanism. There’s a small hole on the right side of the printer where you can insert the screwdriver.
- Turn the gears gently to ensure the rubber wiper and white lock alternate positions correctly. For a visual guide on how to align these components properly, refer to our YouTube video (https://youtu.be/WbY_6O1-w2c).
Step 2: Verify Capping Station Height
The grinding noise could also result from the capping station being installed at an incorrect height. If the capping station is too high, it may obstruct the printhead’s movement, causing it to get “hung up” and triggering the error.To check for this:
- Move the printhead gently back and forth along the printer’s rail to ensure it can travel freely from one end to the other without obstruction. If the capping station is too high, it will block the printhead’s movement, and you may need to adjust its positioning.
Step 3: Perform a Printer Reset
After verifying that the capping station is aligned and at the proper height, reset the printer to allow it to reinitialize. This can sometimes clear any residual errors resulting from the printhead obstruction. If the red lights continue to blink, recheck the alignment and positioning of the capping station as described above.Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. As a result, we cannot provide remote troubleshooting or repair support for such issues. However, we offer an in-person evaluation and repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service) through our local diagnostic facility. Due to high demand, service is available on a first-come, first-served basis, which may result in a waiting period of a few weeks. We offer services for both complete printer repairs and specific component issues, with options for mail-in or drop-off services. Given that our rates may be higher than local alternatives, we recommend exploring DIY options like our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) for additional guidance. Use the search icon on our channel’s homepage to find videos specific to your issue.
Thank you again for trusting BCH Technologies. We hope this guide helps you restore your printer’s functionality and get back to smooth printing!