Solving Blank Prints on Epson L1800 DTF Printer

Question:
I have performed all the troubleshooting steps suggested before, and my Epson L1800 DTF printer works perfectly mechanically. But there are no drips of ink from the printhead, and the nozzle checks are entirely blank. Everything on the probe mainboard and printhead is new. I see ink come out during head cleaning cycles but not on the printhead. What could be the issue?
 
Answer:
We appreciate your following up and apologize for the delayed response. Considering how mechanical everything is, we know how painful dealing with printer issues can be, and nothing comes on the sheets you print. We at BCH Technologies are committed to providing thoughtful and detailed solutions to your concerns. Your engagement, mainly through our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies), is deeply appreciated and helps us enhance our expertise.
 
Troubleshooting Steps
There are multiple reasons you might be facing this issue. Here are the most typical reasons and their accompanying solutions:
F1 Fuse on the Mainboard:

• Verify the F1 fuse on the printer's mainboard. A blown fuse will cause the printer's mechanical movements to function and ink to flow during cleaning cycles, but the printhead will not release the ink. This issue is fairly common and can be fixed with a simple replacement of the F1 fuse.

Clogged Printhead:

• A partially blocked print head can still give blank prints even if the nozzle check looks normal. With time, dried ink or leftovers can block the nozzles. For a more thorough cleaning, try a printhead cleaning kit. Could you check the printhead for dry ink up close, and if you notice any blockage, gently flush out the nozzles?

Clogged Capping Station:
The pen needs to be capped to keep it from drying out (moist), and when it is not working, the capping needs to occur to seal the printhead. If the capping station is clogged, it doesn't have proper suction in the cleaning cycles, so no ink comes to the printhead. Capping station: Clean and check thoroughly.
FFC Cable Connection Issues:

• FFC (flat flexible cable) connects the printhead to the mainboard. Damage or incorrect seating of an FFC cable prevents the signal from being fed to the printhead, leading to blank prints. Please ensure the cable is firmly connected on both ends (mainboard versus printhead) and check for any visible damage.

Damaged Printhead Membrane:

• Blank prints may also occur if the printhead membrane is damaged due to excessive cleaning cycles or improper handling. Severe cleaning cycles, like Power Clean, can stress the membrane, causing splits or delamination. If the membrane is broken, you will need to replace the printhead.

Excessive Use of Ink Charge or Power Cleaning:

• Overusing the Ink Charge or Power Cleaning functions can cause an unhealthy amount of stress on a printer's internal parts. These functions should only be used in moderation, with at least a 12-hour gap between usages. Frequent such uses can cause irreversible damage to the printhead and other machine parts.

 
Considerations for Printer Repairs
Printer-related issues are the most difficult to address because they require tangible action. As a result, we cannot remotely troubleshoot or directly support printer repairs. However, we do have a local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service) that is available for in-person evaluation and repair. The service is first-come, first-served, and it can take several weeks to process your printer.
We repair printers as a whole or some printer components (with all proper instructions on how to fix them). We know our rates are not the cheapest, so we suggest you do some self-help on the web. You can begin your search from our YouTube channel homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) and use the search capability. YouTube's algorithm might even recommend relevant content from other channels.
Thanks again for reaching out and for your continued support. If you have additional questions or need more help, please ask. We're here to help!