How to Safely Reinstall a Printhead After Replacing Transistors on an Epson Printer
- By Kevin Day
- On Dec 16, 2024
- Comment 0
Question:
We recently cleaned our printhead manually and may have reinstalled it too soon, causing the transistors on the motherboard to blow. We purchased new transistors from you and plan to replace them when the parts arrive. After watching your video on testing printheads with a multimeter, we believe the printhead passed the test. Once the transistors are replaced, is it safe to reinstall the printhead and try printing again? We’re concerned about possibly damaging the motherboard further. Should we let the printhead air out longer before testing?
Answer:
Thank you for reaching out with your detailed question and for watching our video on testing printheads with a multimeter (https://youtu.be/AmNoIPyieyo). We truly appreciate your engagement with our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) and your methodical approach to troubleshooting this issue. I apologize for the delay in responding, and thank you for your patience. At BCH Technologies, we know how urgent printer issues can feel and aim to provide you with a comprehensive and thoughtful response.
Let’s go step by step to ensure you can safely reinstall the printhead and minimize potential risks.
For DIY troubleshooting, we recommend exploring our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). The channel's search bar allows you to find tutorials tailored to your specific printer model or issue, which is often the quickest way to locate the guidance you need.
Thank you again for contacting us and for your continued support of BCH Technologies. We hope these steps help you safely reinstall your printhead and restore your printer to working order. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us or continue exploring our YouTube resources.
We recently cleaned our printhead manually and may have reinstalled it too soon, causing the transistors on the motherboard to blow. We purchased new transistors from you and plan to replace them when the parts arrive. After watching your video on testing printheads with a multimeter, we believe the printhead passed the test. Once the transistors are replaced, is it safe to reinstall the printhead and try printing again? We’re concerned about possibly damaging the motherboard further. Should we let the printhead air out longer before testing?
Answer:
Thank you for reaching out with your detailed question and for watching our video on testing printheads with a multimeter (https://youtu.be/AmNoIPyieyo). We truly appreciate your engagement with our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) and your methodical approach to troubleshooting this issue. I apologize for the delay in responding, and thank you for your patience. At BCH Technologies, we know how urgent printer issues can feel and aim to provide you with a comprehensive and thoughtful response.
Let’s go step by step to ensure you can safely reinstall the printhead and minimize potential risks.
1. Multimeter Test Results
Your printhead passing the multimeter test is an encouraging sign. Our video shows that this test checks for internal short circuits, a common cause of blown transistors. While passing the test suggests the printhead is unlikely to blow the new transistors again, it does not guarantee the printhead is fully functional. Additional issues could still arise once the printer is operational.2. Risks of Reinstallation
Even if the printhead passes the test, there’s always some risk of damaging the new transistors. Specific issues—such as latent internal damage or undetectable faults—may only surface during operation. Without access to advanced diagnostic tools, it’s challenging to eliminate this risk.3. Allow the Printhead to Fully Dry
Letting the printhead air out thoroughly is critical, especially if you suspect it wasn’t scorched after cleaning. Moisture inside the printhead can cause electrical shorts and damage the motherboard. Here’s what we recommend:- Place the printhead in a well-ventilated area for at least 24–48 hours to ensure it is scorched.
- You can use a fan or dehumidifier to speed up the drying process.
4. Additional Precautions Before Testing
a. Inspect the Transistor Replacement
Could you make sure the new transistors are installed correctly and securely? Poor soldering or misalignment can lead to operational issues or further damage.b. Test Without Ink Cartridges Installed
After replacing the transistors, power on the printer without installing the printhead or ink cartridges. This allows you to confirm the motherboard is stable and the transistors are functioning correctly.c. Use a Backup Printhead (If Available)
If you have access to a backup or spare printhead, you can use it to test the system before reinstalling the cleaned one. This reduces the risk of causing additional damage to the motherboard with the original printhead.5. What to Expect
The printer should operate without blowing the new transistors if the printhead is functional and the transistors have been replaced correctly. However, if the printhead has latent internal damage, it could still cause issues during operation. Please go ahead and be prepared for potential additional repairs if necessary.Additional Support Options
Addressing printer issues like these can be complex and time-consuming due to the hands-on nature of the repairs. While we cannot provide remote troubleshooting or guarantee the success of DIY repairs, we offer in-person evaluation and repair services (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). These services operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and due to high demand, it may take a few weeks before your printer can be evaluated.For DIY troubleshooting, we recommend exploring our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). The channel's search bar allows you to find tutorials tailored to your specific printer model or issue, which is often the quickest way to locate the guidance you need.
Thank you again for contacting us and for your continued support of BCH Technologies. We hope these steps help you safely reinstall your printhead and restore your printer to working order. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us or continue exploring our YouTube resources.