How to Troubleshoot Black Ink Light on Epson Printer After Installing a CSIC Contact Board

Question:
My Epson printer has a CSIC contact board, which I recently changed, and the other cartridges worked after changing the board, but the black ink light is still on. I've installed new cartridges, followed the installation instructions, checked the little pins on the cartridge holder, moved them around, and replaced the printhead to see if that's where the problem is. I have also changed the printhead cable and the ink detection cable. Do you have any tangible reasons why the black light is still on, and what reasonable next step should I take?
 
Answer:
Thank you for contacting us! I'm sorry for not getting back to you sooner. Printer problems can seem urgent, and we want to ensure you get the most precise and helpful advice available. We value your support, especially on our BCH Technologies YouTube Channel YouTube channel. Please let us know if you find the provided helpful information; your comments are key to improving our technical knowledge. The CSIC contact board seems to have solved the light issue with the other colors, but the black sink light is still on. So, while this suggests the communication improvement between the cartridges and board, it still points towards something further down, affecting the black ink circuit.
Possible Causes & Solutions:
 
Communication Issue with the CSIC Board:
The CSIC board mainly transfers the ink data to the printer. If the CSIC board was replaced because a previous communication had failed (i.e., had ink stains), there could still be a partial problem, or the replacement board could still not be working. You stated that you have already replaced the printhead, the cables, and the cartridges, which is excellent troubleshooting. If that light goes out but the black ink light remains on, a problem may be specific to the black ink circuit.
 
Printhead or FFC Cable Issue:
Even if you have a new printhead, it might be worth ensuring that the printhead FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) and connection to the mainboard are secure. A poorly seated or malfunctioning FFC cable may not facilitate good communication between the black ink cart and the native printer. Before you try this, please look at the FFC for any visible damage or wear.
 
Mainboard or Firmware Issue:
If the printhead and CSIC board are functioning but the issue has not been resolved, the problem will be with the mainboard or firmware. A malfunctioning mainboard sometimes fails to read ink cartridge data appropriately, triggering a light to remain illuminated even when the cartridge is working correctly. The problem can also be software-related to the blind firmware.
Here's a fast way to scan for error codes:

• Use the Epson Adjustment Program (techs use this software frequently, and some DTF printer sellers share it).
• Launch the program and choose your printer from the dropdown menu.
• Click on "Individual Adjustment" and select "Printer Information Check."
• Press "Check," and the program will display any error codes. These might give you some indication of the problem's location.

 
More about interpreting these error codes, search Google using "BCH Epson Error" and navigate through the resultant page for a standard explanation of the Epson error codes, including those referring to the APG sensor or mainboard problem.
A "Migrating Light" Issue Due to the Firmware:
If you see that when you fix one cartridge, the light for another cartridge lights up, this could be due to a firmware error. In such scenarios, updating your printer's firmware usually fixes the issue. Epson sometimes releases firmware updates to fix these types of issues.
 
Thproblemseo walks you through the process of checking error codes:
How to Check Epson Printer Error Codes
 
Further Support:
Printer-related issues can be challenging to troubleshoot, especially since their hardware aspects are involved. So, we cannot offer remote troubleshooting or technical support for printer repairs. Another beneficial option is our in-house assessment and repair at our local diagnostic center. For more info and to make an appointment, visit BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service. (We offer a first-come, first-served basis and high demand, so don't be surprised if it takes a few weeks before sending your printer to us if your device requires assessment.)
In the meantime, we recommend looking for online guides for do-it-yourself fixes. Visit our YouTube channel for thousands of printer-related videos, or use the search by keyword to look for a specific issue.
Thank you again for contacting us. We hope this helps you get your printer back in working order!