No Output from Epson R1390 After Replacing Mainboard, Printhead, and Cables
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Question:
I have an Epson R1390 printer. For the second time, I replaced the motherboard, printhead, and printhead cables. The printer powers on and does an automatic head-cleaning, but nothing comes out when I do a test print. Are they the wrong cables? I live in Scotland and don’t know anyone locally who can help. I would greatly appreciate any advice. I have photos and videos if they would be helpful.
Answer:
Thanks for writing, and Happy New Year! We apologize for not getting back to you sooner. Printer troubleshooting can feel urgent and complicated, but we’re here to give you detailed, thorough help. BCH Technologies has always been thankful for your interest and support on our YouTube channel ( https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Your questions can motivate us to enhance our technical skills and assets.
Let’s tackle your case from step to step, define the problem, and provide potential solutions.
Key Areas to Check
F1 Fuse on the Mainboard:
- Even if you have a new mainboard, the F1 fuse could still blow. This tiny, sensitive part protects the board from spikes in voltage and is critical to the printer's functioning.
- Could you test it for continuity with a multimeter? If it’s blown, it must be replaced before continuing.
Capping station and printhead positioning
Could you ensure the printhead is parked correctly on the capping station? To do this:
- Reconnect power to the printer, allowing the printhead to rest in place on the capping station.
- When using DTF (Direct to Film) ink, you might notice it’s thicker than regular ink, which may require the printhead to make a little more effort to get started.
Once the printhead is parked:
- Attach a syringe and tube to the printer’s waste ink line.
- Gently draw 2 ml of air. Pull to 1.5 ml — there should be a slight bit of resistance.
- If you are drawing air, the print head is not parked correctly, or the capping station seal leaks.
- Your capping station may be clogged if you feel complete resistance and can’t draw ink.
- Once you draw 1.5 ml, you might hear the crinkle of the damper membrane, which indicates open nozzles. To withdraw up to 2 ml, the black rubber of the syringe must cross the 2 ml mark and hold for 10 seconds.
Perform Regular Cleaning:
- Follow the above process and run the printer’s regular cleaning cycle.
- Don’t do vigorous cleanings within 12 hours of each other, and avoid back-to-back cleanings, as they will stress the printer.
Go through driver chips on the mainboard:
- Look for physical issues on the mainboard, such as damage or bad alignment around the driver chips. These components manage the signals sent to the printhead and are essential for its operation.
- If you see any chips that seem damaged, they might have to be replaced, or the board might need to be tested further.
Additional Steps
If these checks don’t work, the issue may be more complicated. You may have tried:
- Check your printhead cables to see if they are the right kind and fit correctly. If the printhead communication cables are not aligned properly or are incompatible, communication between the mainboard and the printhead is compromised.
- Check that this firmware is appropriate for the printer model and up to date on the mainboard. Differing firmware can lead to functionality errors.
Additional Note:
Fixing printer problems can be a dirty and complex job. We do not offer troubleshooting or repairs remotely. However, we do provide in-house diagnostic and hardware repair for local clients through our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). The demand is high, so we work on a first-come, first-served basis, and you may have to wait to get your device repaired.
For self-help, kindly check our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) to see if there are videos related to your printer. Find information related to your printer using the search icon next to the "About" tab. You might also notice similar videos from other creators that YouTube recommends.
Thanks again for contacting us! Hopefully, the above tips will help you sort your Epson R1390. If you have additional inquiries or would like to send your photos and videos, please get in touch. We’re always here to assist!