Resolving Clogs and Power Issues in Epson ET15000 and ET8550 Printers
- By Kevin Day
- On Oct 28, 2024
- Comment 0
Question: I've been having trouble unclogging my two Epson printers, the ET15000 and ET8550. I flushed both printers, and while clear liquid came out, the red and blue on my ET15000 weren't working, and on my ET8550, no ink was coming down from the tank. Both printers sat for several months with sublimation ink. Additionally, my second ET15000 worked fine until a storm caused a power surge, and now it won't turn on. What are your recommendations for getting these printers working again?
Answer: Thank you for contacting us! I sincerely apologize for the delay in responding, as I know how critical printer issues can be. At BCH Technologies, we value your engagement and continued support, especially with our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Your feedback helps us refine and enhance our technical knowledge, so thank you for reaching out.
Now, let’s go through your issue in detail.
Important Note: If any printer displays continued issues despite flushing and priming, it could indicate a more severe hardware problem that may require part replacement.
Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. For this reason, we cannot provide remote troubleshooting or support for printer repairs. However, our local diagnostic facility offers in-person evaluation and repair services (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it may take a few weeks to service your printer. We can repair the entire printer or specific components, and clear instructions are available for those opting for mail-in or local drop-off services.
Our rates may not always be economical, and we encourage you to explore self-help options first. Our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) is an excellent resource for finding solutions for various printer issues. Use the search icon next to our channel's "About" section to look for videos on specific topics. This is the most efficient way to locate relevant videos, and YouTube may also suggest other helpful videos from different channels.
Thank you again for reaching out, and I hope these recommendations help get your printers up and running. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask, and we’ll do our best to assist you!
Answer: Thank you for contacting us! I sincerely apologize for the delay in responding, as I know how critical printer issues can be. At BCH Technologies, we value your engagement and continued support, especially with our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Your feedback helps us refine and enhance our technical knowledge, so thank you for reaching out.
Now, let’s go through your issue in detail.
Addressing Printhead Clogs in Epson ET15000 and ET8550
Since both printers sat for several months with sublimation ink, the clogging issue is expected. Sublimation ink tends to dry out and cause clogs if the printer isn't used regularly. Based on your situation:- When you flush the printer, no ink comes out: If you’ve pushed cleaning fluid through the printhead and the ink still isn’t flowing, the printhead is likely beyond a simple clog. In such cases, regular unclogging methods may not work, and the printhead may need to be replaced. However, before reaching that conclusion, let’s try a few steps to restore ink flow.
- When ink flows but prints are blank: If the ink comes through during the flushing process but you still can’t get it to print, the issue is often related to priming. It’s important not to rely on the Power Cleaning function to prime the printhead after a new system installation. Power Cleaning resolves print quality issues, not priming the printhead.
Proper Steps to Prime the Printhead:
- After flushing, do not immediately use the Power Cleaning function. Instead, park the printhead at the capping station. To do this, turn the printer on and allow the printhead to rest there naturally.
- Gently draw 3 ml of air from the waste tube using a syringe. For a detailed visual guide, refer to this video at 8:00 (https://youtu.be/_pyLQsfn4mQ). Draw slowly and hold for about 30 seconds to allow the ink to flow into the syringe.
- Once the pressure has balanced, remove the syringe and perform a regular cleaning cycle using the Epson printer's built-in cleaning function.
Observing the Waste Tube During Cleaning:
After priming, carefully watch the waste tube during the cleaning process. If ink flows through the waste tube but your printer still prints blank pages, you may face a hardware issue, potentially with the mainboard. The problem might be linked to a malfunctioning mainboard, damaged FFC cables, or the printhead itself.Addressing the Power Surge Issue:
Regarding your second ET15000, which stopped turning on after the power surge, the issue could be with the mainboard. Power surges can cause damage to critical components in the printer, including the mainboard, FFC cables, and printhead. Inspecting these parts for any visible signs of damage (e.g., burnt circuits or disconnections) is best in situations like these. If you're comfortable with electronics, you might consider testing or replacing the mainboard, but be cautious, as electrical repairs can be tricky and may require professional assistance.Important Note: If any printer displays continued issues despite flushing and priming, it could indicate a more severe hardware problem that may require part replacement.
Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. For this reason, we cannot provide remote troubleshooting or support for printer repairs. However, our local diagnostic facility offers in-person evaluation and repair services (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it may take a few weeks to service your printer. We can repair the entire printer or specific components, and clear instructions are available for those opting for mail-in or local drop-off services.
Our rates may not always be economical, and we encourage you to explore self-help options first. Our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) is an excellent resource for finding solutions for various printer issues. Use the search icon next to our channel's "About" section to look for videos on specific topics. This is the most efficient way to locate relevant videos, and YouTube may also suggest other helpful videos from different channels.
Thank you again for reaching out, and I hope these recommendations help get your printers up and running. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask, and we’ll do our best to assist you!