How to Troubleshoot Power Issues on Epson ET-2800 Printers After Printhead Cleaning

Question.

After having recently cleaned the printhead on my Epson ET-2800 printer, and then later powering it back up again for use, I was presented with a message stating that the device had not been powered down properly prior to switching off. Now, the printer does not start due to lack of power. I've confirmed that the power supply is good. It happened with two of our printers in the same condition. The step here talks about how to troubleshoot and overcome the issue.

Answer:

Thank you for reaching out to us at BCH Technologies! We truly appreciate your engagement and support, especially through our YouTube channel, BCH Technologies YouTube (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Your feedback helps us grow and refine our technical expertise.

Regarding your issue with the Epson ET-2800 not powering up after cleaning the print head, it's highly unlikely to be a software problem. Since your printer isn’t turning on, the software is not in control, as software generally requires the printer to power up first.

You’ve already taken the important first step of checking the power supply, which is great. However, it’s important to note that Epson printers, including the ET-2800, typically use two distinct power outputs from the same power supply unit:

1. 42V: This drives the high-voltage components required for the printing process.
2. 1.5V to 2.4V: This lower voltage powers the printer’s electronic signals and logic.

Since both power supplies need to function properly, double-check both voltage outputs. We have a video guide that demonstrates how to properly test your printer's power supply, which you can find here: How to Check Power Supply (https://youtu.be/QrtWCVT35BA), Power Supply Testing for Epson Printers (https://youtu.be/yU767zbVgWE), and Testing for Power Supply Problems (https://youtu.be/IGQZwBJD5Mw).

If the power supply checks out, the issue may lie with the power bridge on the mainboard, specifically the twin MOSFET transistors. These transistors regulate power flow to the internal components, and if they fail, the printer won’t power on. You can learn more about testing and diagnosing this issue through this helpful video: Twin MOSFET Diagnosis (https://youtu.be/PvdDJXupTZg).

Another possible cause could be faulty capacitors on the mainboard, which are crucial for stabilizing power. It’s essential to test these capacitors, and here’s a video showing how: Testing Capacitors (https://youtu.be/eheZ4MVVM64).

Once you’ve ruled out issues with the capacitors and MOSFET transistors, you’ll want to move on to checking the power supply chain. This requires an infrared camera to detect thermal signatures across the mainboard. You can use an infrared camera like this one (https://amzn.to/4cU2WXk) to trace heat distribution on the board. This step involves advanced diagnostics and experience, as it can be tricky to interpret the thermal data correctly. Unfortunately, explaining this process fully via email is difficult.

Finally, if all high-power components are functioning properly, the issue may be related to the logical chips on the mainboard. Diagnosing logic chips typically requires a schematic and considerable hands-on experience with printer repairs. At this point, relying on experience and trial-and-error testing might be the best approach.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Unfortunately, we’re unable 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). Due to high demand, services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and wait times might be a few weeks. Our repair services cover either full printer repair or specific part replacements, and instructions are available for mail-in or local drop-off services.

We do recognize that our rates may not be the most affordable option for everyone. Thus, we strongly recommend trying to troubleshoot these issues on your own using online resources. Our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) has numerous video guides. You can find relevant content by using YouTube’s search feature, located next to the “About” section. Searching for specific videos will likely yield the information you need and may even suggest videos from other creators that could help with your issue.

Thank you again for contacting us and supporting BCH Technologies. We hope this information helps resolve your printer problem. Should you need further assistance, feel free to reach out or visit our YouTube channel for more detailed guides.