Why Is Your Printer Not Even Booting After Ink Cartridge and Cleaning Issues
- By Kevin Day
- On Dec 31, 2024
- Comment 0
Question:
I've come across your video regarding power supplies for these printers. I am facing the issue below and will tell you what steps lead to it. I got some no-name ones off Amazon to save a buck since my printer needed new Ink. It did not like them, and the printer was streaking. I enabled every option for cleaning the nozzles in the menu and then replaced the Ink with actual Epson ones. I do not know whether the firmware was updated automatically during this time, but I suspect it may have been. Anyway, I purchased the syringe cleaner kit but never got to clean the printhead because the unit just stopped booting. It will power up when you press the power button, then the blue light for a few seconds, then click and shut off. I've attempted to unplug appropriately, wait, hold the power button till discharge, reset combinations (B&W + Stop + Power, etc.) but nothing… It's so maddening because it's been hardly used, and now it's dead. I did buy a new Canon printer since then, but I'd like to fix this one because it has new Ink loaded in it, and I don't want to waste that investment. I am very handy with electronics and have all the tools, but I need the guidance and parts to repair it. Thank you!
Answer:
We appreciate your message and thank you for detailing your issue! Sorry for the late response; I know how annoying it feels to have a not-working printer, especially after some tryouts. This content is brought to you by BCH Technologies (YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Thank you for joining the BCH Technologies YouTube channel, and feel free to leave your feedback regarding the technical aspects so we can better help users like you.
If re-inserting cartridges and trying to run a cleaning does not resolve your printer's booting issue, it is probably related to hardware damage. Generic Ink, while hardly ever the actual issue, third-party cartridges fail to feature one-way dampers, unlike their OEM Epson equivalents. This can cause air bubbles in the ink lines, which can cause streaking and improper priming. However, the bigger problem is that cleaning attempts with the wrong tools or methods could seriously damage critical components like the printhead FFC cables or the mainboard. That click before the printer dies suggests a hardware failure, and it's probably not a DIY job without specialized tools and know-how.
Sadly, when a printer shows these signs of life, it's often cheaper to sell it for parts than to fix it. But if you intend to make a fix, begin by closely examining the printhead and cables for any physical damage or loose connections. If the mainboard is broken, it will most likely need to be repaired or replaced professionally.
Printer issues can be tricky to address, owing to the nature of these problems — they are not pleasant to work with. So we can't troubleshoot the printers, provide repair support, provide remote troubleshooting, or make suggestions. We have an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility, BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service), and due to the demand, it is on a first-come, first-served basis. So, there may be an additional wait of a few weeks to get your printer to drop it off."
However, on either end of those instructions, we have a system where we repair a whole printer or some specific parts. But we admit our rates are not the cheapest out there. So, we strongly advise that you turn to self-help through online research. Head over to our YouTube page or one of the top-level levels on our channel homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). You can look for specific videos related to the topics you're looking for and look for the search icon next to the top right, the "About" page on the menu bar. Daily, I get dozens of requests for specific content on particular subjects. But it is difficult to recall every single one when you have been making videos for the past nine years. That's why you would want to run the YouTube search function. Plus, YouTube may show you relevant videos from other channels to help you.
Thanks once more for your question and your detailed explanation. If there is more we can help with, let us know!
I've come across your video regarding power supplies for these printers. I am facing the issue below and will tell you what steps lead to it. I got some no-name ones off Amazon to save a buck since my printer needed new Ink. It did not like them, and the printer was streaking. I enabled every option for cleaning the nozzles in the menu and then replaced the Ink with actual Epson ones. I do not know whether the firmware was updated automatically during this time, but I suspect it may have been. Anyway, I purchased the syringe cleaner kit but never got to clean the printhead because the unit just stopped booting. It will power up when you press the power button, then the blue light for a few seconds, then click and shut off. I've attempted to unplug appropriately, wait, hold the power button till discharge, reset combinations (B&W + Stop + Power, etc.) but nothing… It's so maddening because it's been hardly used, and now it's dead. I did buy a new Canon printer since then, but I'd like to fix this one because it has new Ink loaded in it, and I don't want to waste that investment. I am very handy with electronics and have all the tools, but I need the guidance and parts to repair it. Thank you!
Answer:
We appreciate your message and thank you for detailing your issue! Sorry for the late response; I know how annoying it feels to have a not-working printer, especially after some tryouts. This content is brought to you by BCH Technologies (YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Thank you for joining the BCH Technologies YouTube channel, and feel free to leave your feedback regarding the technical aspects so we can better help users like you.
If re-inserting cartridges and trying to run a cleaning does not resolve your printer's booting issue, it is probably related to hardware damage. Generic Ink, while hardly ever the actual issue, third-party cartridges fail to feature one-way dampers, unlike their OEM Epson equivalents. This can cause air bubbles in the ink lines, which can cause streaking and improper priming. However, the bigger problem is that cleaning attempts with the wrong tools or methods could seriously damage critical components like the printhead FFC cables or the mainboard. That click before the printer dies suggests a hardware failure, and it's probably not a DIY job without specialized tools and know-how.
Sadly, when a printer shows these signs of life, it's often cheaper to sell it for parts than to fix it. But if you intend to make a fix, begin by closely examining the printhead and cables for any physical damage or loose connections. If the mainboard is broken, it will most likely need to be repaired or replaced professionally.
Printer issues can be tricky to address, owing to the nature of these problems — they are not pleasant to work with. So we can't troubleshoot the printers, provide repair support, provide remote troubleshooting, or make suggestions. We have an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility, BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service), and due to the demand, it is on a first-come, first-served basis. So, there may be an additional wait of a few weeks to get your printer to drop it off."
However, on either end of those instructions, we have a system where we repair a whole printer or some specific parts. But we admit our rates are not the cheapest out there. So, we strongly advise that you turn to self-help through online research. Head over to our YouTube page or one of the top-level levels on our channel homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). You can look for specific videos related to the topics you're looking for and look for the search icon next to the top right, the "About" page on the menu bar. Daily, I get dozens of requests for specific content on particular subjects. But it is difficult to recall every single one when you have been making videos for the past nine years. That's why you would want to run the YouTube search function. Plus, YouTube may show you relevant videos from other channels to help you.
Thanks once more for your question and your detailed explanation. If there is more we can help with, let us know!