How to Fix an Epson L1800 Printer That’s Not Printing Ink

Question: My Epson L1800 printer printed fine initially, but the next print skipped the white ink overlay, and the third print didn’t. I cleaned the printhead following a YouTube tutorial, but now no ink comes out, even though the printer moves as if it’s printing. What might be causing this, and what parts might need repair?
 
Answer: Thank you for reaching out! We are sorry for not getting back to you sooner. We understand that printer issues can be frustrating and urgent. At BCH Technologies, we aim to provide detailed and thoughtful answers. Your engagement, especially on our YouTube channel [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies], helps us refine our expertise and deliver better solutions.
Let’s explore the potential issues with your Epson L1800 and how to resolve them.

Diagnosing the Problem

Since your printer initially worked, the printhead nozzles are unlikely to be clogged. However, multiple cleanings could damage them, so let’s focus on the ink supply system instead.
  1. Check the Dampers and Ink Tubes:
    • Could you look over the dampers to ensure they are filled with ink? The ink needs to flow correctly if it appears empty or partially filled.
    • You can use a syringe to gently draw ink from the dampers. If it’s difficult to pull ink, the tubes or dampers might be clogged.
  2. Verify Ink Flow with the Park and Prime Technique:
    The park and prime technique is an effective way to ensure ink is flowing through the printhead.
    • Step 1: Park the Printhead
      Could you turn on the printer and let the printhead settle on the capping station? This will ensure that it’s parked correctly.
    • Step 2: Connect a Syringe to the Waste Line
      Could you attach a syringe and tube to the waste line connected to the capping station? Gently draw air to prime the printhead:
      • Draw 1.5 ml of air and check for resistance. If there’s no resistance and you only pull air, the printhead isn’t parked correctly, or the capping station seal leaks.
      • If there’s complete resistance, the capping station may be clogged.
    • Step 3: Continue Priming
      Once you feel resistance, slowly draw up to 2 ml of air. The ink flows through the nozzles if you hear the damper membrane crinkle. Hold the syringe at the 2 ml mark for about 10 seconds to stabilize the flow.
  3. Avoid Excessive Cleaning Cycles:
    After performing the park and prime, run the printer’s regular cleaning cycle once. Do not perform back-to-back cleanings, which could overheat the printhead and cause further damage. Allow the printer to rest between cleaning cycles.

Likely Fix

The park-and-prime technique will most likely resolve the issue by ensuring proper ink flow. If the problem persists, further inspection of the capping station or dampers might be required.
 

When to Seek Professional Repair

Addressing printer issues can be complicated due to the hands-on nature of the problems. We’re not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. However, 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. It might take a few weeks to get your printer to drop it off or mail it to us. Our services are structured to repair a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on proceeding if you opt for mail-in or local drop-off services.
However, we highly recommend exploring self-help resources like our YouTube channel [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. You can use the search function to find tutorials on specific topics, and YouTube may also suggest videos from other channels that could help you.
 
Thank you again for reaching out and for your patience. We hope this guide helps you get your Epson L1800 back to perfect printing condition. Best of luck.