No Ink Output After Replacing the Printhead on a PLK DTF Printer
- By Kevin Day
- On Dec 30, 2024
- Comment 0
Question:
I replaced the ink head on my PLK DTF printer with new ink and dampers. Now it prints but with no ink coming out. It is likely the motherboard, but I want to confirm. The printer is not displaying any error messages. Are there any possible other reasons for this?
Answer:
Thank you for contacting us! Sorry for not getting back to you earlier. I realize that any of these printer problems seem time-critical to you, though I am looking to offer you the most particular, descriptive answer possible to help you move forward well. However, we are thankful and appreciate your involvement, including concerning our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Your feedback is critical for us to continue to build our subject matter expertise and provide the best guidance possible.
When replacing the ink head and dampers, several causes must be considered, and no ink comes out. Since your printer does not show any error messages, we need to troubleshoot step by step to eliminate various possibilities.
Capping Station
The capping station helps keep the printhead healthy and allows the ink medium to flow through. The capping station must not be dirty, damaged, or misaligned. Otherwise, it prevents the printhead from drawing ink. Could you make sure that the capping station is clean and ensure it is from time without cleaning? It will need replacing if it’s damaged or does not seat the printhead correctly.
F1 Fuse
Remember that the F1 fuse is a motherboard fuse primarily designed to offer safety against electrical surges for the board. If this fuse blows, power may no longer reach the printhead or other important areas, resulting in the no-ink output problem. If there is no power, check the fuse and replace it if blown.
Driver Chip on the Mainboard
The driver chip on the mainboard controls the ink feeding to the printhead. The chip might not function or have been damaged, preventing the ink from reaching the printhead despite everything else in the printer working usually. If it is the motherboard you suspect, replace it; you say you have already ordered one. Could you ensure the new board can work with your printer model?
Priming the Printhead
Sometimes, priming the printhead may be necessary if there are air bubbles or dried ink. You or your printer must force ink through the printhead to dislodge anything blocking it. Most DTF printers have a priming function; if not, a syringe or printhead cleaning solution is used to prime the printhead manually.
Clogged Tubes
Another reason is blocked tubes. As time passes, the ink tubes may get clogged with dried ink or debris, making it impossible for the ink to reach the printhead. Check the ink tubes; they should be clear. Locate the tubes, and if you see blockages, clean them by flushing them with a suitable cleaning solution or replacing them if necessary.
Following through on these checks should help you identify the exact issue behind the no-ink output. If these steps don't fix the problem, replacing the motherboard—which you already planned to do—might be the last solution.
Since printer problems are so hands-on, troubleshooting them is often cumbersome. So, we cannot do remote troubleshooting, make recommendations, or provide printer repair support. Please visit our local diagnostic facility for an in-person evaluation and repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). We will follow a first-come, first-served policy to better serve you due to the high demand. So, it could be a couple of weeks before we bring your printer to deliver it. Our services are repairable to an entire printer or some parts with an easy guide. But we won't pretend our rates are the cheapest. So, we strongly encourage you to try to fix things yourself through your online research. Firstly, you can go to YouTube or visit the home page of our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) and try searching the videos using the search icon next to "About" in the right-hand menu bar. I get dozens of daily questions about videos covering one topic or another. After making videos for nine years, keeping track of every video is brutal. So, it would be most efficient to use YouTube’s search function. You might also catch some relevant videos from other channels that YouTube would recommend to you that might help.
Thank you again for your inquiry. Do not hesitate to contact us with any additional questions. We're here to help!
I replaced the ink head on my PLK DTF printer with new ink and dampers. Now it prints but with no ink coming out. It is likely the motherboard, but I want to confirm. The printer is not displaying any error messages. Are there any possible other reasons for this?
Answer:
Thank you for contacting us! Sorry for not getting back to you earlier. I realize that any of these printer problems seem time-critical to you, though I am looking to offer you the most particular, descriptive answer possible to help you move forward well. However, we are thankful and appreciate your involvement, including concerning our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Your feedback is critical for us to continue to build our subject matter expertise and provide the best guidance possible.
When replacing the ink head and dampers, several causes must be considered, and no ink comes out. Since your printer does not show any error messages, we need to troubleshoot step by step to eliminate various possibilities.
Capping Station
The capping station helps keep the printhead healthy and allows the ink medium to flow through. The capping station must not be dirty, damaged, or misaligned. Otherwise, it prevents the printhead from drawing ink. Could you make sure that the capping station is clean and ensure it is from time without cleaning? It will need replacing if it’s damaged or does not seat the printhead correctly.
F1 Fuse
Remember that the F1 fuse is a motherboard fuse primarily designed to offer safety against electrical surges for the board. If this fuse blows, power may no longer reach the printhead or other important areas, resulting in the no-ink output problem. If there is no power, check the fuse and replace it if blown.
Driver Chip on the Mainboard
The driver chip on the mainboard controls the ink feeding to the printhead. The chip might not function or have been damaged, preventing the ink from reaching the printhead despite everything else in the printer working usually. If it is the motherboard you suspect, replace it; you say you have already ordered one. Could you ensure the new board can work with your printer model?
Priming the Printhead
Sometimes, priming the printhead may be necessary if there are air bubbles or dried ink. You or your printer must force ink through the printhead to dislodge anything blocking it. Most DTF printers have a priming function; if not, a syringe or printhead cleaning solution is used to prime the printhead manually.
Clogged Tubes
Another reason is blocked tubes. As time passes, the ink tubes may get clogged with dried ink or debris, making it impossible for the ink to reach the printhead. Check the ink tubes; they should be clear. Locate the tubes, and if you see blockages, clean them by flushing them with a suitable cleaning solution or replacing them if necessary.
Following through on these checks should help you identify the exact issue behind the no-ink output. If these steps don't fix the problem, replacing the motherboard—which you already planned to do—might be the last solution.
Since printer problems are so hands-on, troubleshooting them is often cumbersome. So, we cannot do remote troubleshooting, make recommendations, or provide printer repair support. Please visit our local diagnostic facility for an in-person evaluation and repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). We will follow a first-come, first-served policy to better serve you due to the high demand. So, it could be a couple of weeks before we bring your printer to deliver it. Our services are repairable to an entire printer or some parts with an easy guide. But we won't pretend our rates are the cheapest. So, we strongly encourage you to try to fix things yourself through your online research. Firstly, you can go to YouTube or visit the home page of our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) and try searching the videos using the search icon next to "About" in the right-hand menu bar. I get dozens of daily questions about videos covering one topic or another. After making videos for nine years, keeping track of every video is brutal. So, it would be most efficient to use YouTube’s search function. You might also catch some relevant videos from other channels that YouTube would recommend to you that might help.
Thank you again for your inquiry. Do not hesitate to contact us with any additional questions. We're here to help!