Troubleshooting Your Printer: No Lights or Movement After Repairs
- By Kevin Day
- On Dec 25, 2024
- Comment 0
Question:
My printer won’t print. I’ve replaced the waste pump and motherboard cleaned the print head and oiled the lever. The lever lock was too far, and the carriage was hitting, so I moved the gears. The lock is back, and the power button works, but there are no lights or movement. What else can I try?Answer:
Thank you for reaching out! I sincerely apologize for the delay in responding to your question. I know how urgent printer issues can be, and I would like to provide a thorough and detailed response to help you resolve this. At BCH Technologies, we sincerely appreciate your support, primarily through our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Your feedback helps us refine our expertise and create valuable content for our community.It sounds like you’ve already done significant troubleshooting, which is a great start. Since the power button lights up but no other lights or movement occur, here are several areas to investigate:
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Power Supply Unit (PSU):
Even if the power button lights up, the PSU may not deliver enough voltage to power the printer. Use a multimeter to check the power supply output, or try a different power adapter if you have one available. If you suspect an issue, we have a detailed PSU verification tutorial (https://youtu.be/X2SeQjMBq6s?si=MbyYES66uy4CEIbc) on our channel. -
Mainboard Connections and Components:
Could you double-check all connections, especially the flat flexible cables (FFC) between the mainboard and other components? Damaged or poorly connected cables can disrupt power and communication. Pay close attention to the control panel FFC cable, which connects the control panel to the mainboard. If this cable is damaged, it can prevent the printer from fully powering on. Replacement cables can be found on our website here: Control Panel FFC Cable (https://bchtechnologies.com/9-pin-ffc-connector-cable-for-l1800-control-panel-and-mainboard/). -
Mainboard Fuses and Transistors:
Inspect the mainboard for miniature fuses that may have blown during a power surge. Additionally, the transistors on the mainboard, specifically the QF601 transistor, play a critical role in power distribution. A faulty QF601 can cause issues with printer power. More details about this component can be found on our website: QF601 Transistor (https://bchtechnologies.com/transistor-qf601-for-mainboard-cb53-main-l1800-1390-1430-epson-printers-fix-no-power/). -
Encoder Strip and Carriage Sensors:
Since the carriage was hitting before, please ensure the encoder strip is aligned correctly and cleanly. A misaligned or dirty encoder strip can prevent the printer from initializing. If necessary, clean it gently with a lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol.
Additional Support:
Addressing printer issues can often be a hands-on challenge. Unfortunately, we cannot provide remote troubleshooting or direct support for complex repairs. However, we offer an in-person evaluation and repair service at our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, this service operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and scheduling may take a few weeks.We encourage you to explore self-help resources on our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). You can search to find videos specific to your printer model or issue.
Thank you again for contacting us, and I hope these steps guide you toward a solution. Feel free to let me know if you have any more questions!