Resolving Ink Overflow and Printing Issues on the Epson L1800 Printer

Question: 

Why does my Epson L1800 printer fail to print after cleaning, and why is it spitting waste ink inside the machine during cleaning cycles?

Answer:

If your printer spits waste ink internally after a cleaning cycle, this often points to a clogged or malfunctioning capping station. The capping station plays a vital role in maintaining printhead health by cleaning and sealing it during idle times. A clogged capping station can block ink flow during cleaning cycles, causing a backflow that leaks ink into the printer’s interior.

Possible Causes:

1. Clogged Capping Station: Over time, dried ink residue can accumulate in the capping station, restricting its ability to effectively siphon waste ink.
2. Faulty Waste Ink Tubes: The tubes that carry waste ink to the printer’s waste reservoir might be clogged, disconnected, or damaged.
3. Overflowing Waste Ink Pads: The waste ink pads may have reached capacity, causing excess ink to spill during cleaning cycles.

Steps to Fix the Issue:

1. Service the Capping Station:
   
   • Begin by checking the capping station for any visible ink clogs or debris.
   • Follow our step-by-step guide in this video: How to Service the Capping Station ([https://youtu.be/RVtQLe2wTsk]).
   • I'd appreciate it if you could carefully clean the capping station with a lint-free cloth and a cleaning solution suitable for printers. Make sure to remove all dried ink residue.
2. Inspect Waste Ink Tubes:
   
   • Open the printer and locate the tubes connected to the capping station.
   • Ensure the tubes are not clogged or disconnected. If necessary, use a syringe to flush the tubes with water or a cleaning solution.
3. Check and Replace Waste Ink Pads:
   
   • If the waste ink pads are saturated, you must replace or reset them. Consult your printer’s manual for instructions, or consider installing an external waste ink tank to prevent future overflow issues.
4. Perform a Test Print:
   
   • After servicing the capping station and addressing the waste ink management system, perform a nozzle check and a test print to ensure the printer functions correctly.

Additional Support:

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, we cannot provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service ([https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]) via our local diagnostic facility. Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it might take a few weeks for your printer to drop off.

Our services are structured to repair a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren’t the most economical. Thus, we highly recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel’s homepage ([https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]). Look for specific videos using the search icon next to “About” on the right-hand side of the menu bar. YouTube might also suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.