Can a Printer Be Revived After Getting Wet During Printhead Cleaning?

Question:
After removing and cleaning the printhead, my printer won't power back on. I suspect it might have gotten wet while I was working on the dampers or ink tubes, but I didn't test it until after cleaning the printhead. Could this be from water damage, or did I possibly reinstall the printhead incorrectly? Is there any way to revive the machine?

Answer:

From your description, the most likely issue is a mainboard failure. When a printer gets wet-whether it's from cleaning solution, ink, or even residual moisture from dampers and tubing-there is a high risk of electrical shorting. Once the mainboard has shorted, the printer often won't power on again.

Here are a few points to consider:

1. Moisture Damage

   • Even a small amount of liquid can seep onto the mainboard or other electronic components. This can burn out circuits immediately or cause delayed failure once the printer is restarted.

   • Unfortunately, unlike mechanical clogs or blockages, electronic boards rarely recover once they have shorted.

2. Incorrect Reinstallation of the Printhead

   • If the printhead wasn't seated properly or the FFC (Flat Flexible Cable) wasn't securely reconnected, the printer may fail to initialize. However, in most cases of misinstallation, the printer would still power on but display error codes such as 0xEA (carriage jam) or 0xF1 (printhead connection error), rather than staying completely off.

   • Since your printer doesn't power on at all, this points more strongly to electrical failure rather than installation error.

3. What Can Be Done

   • The mainboard can often be repaired or replaced. At BCH Technologies, we can repair mainboards, but for reliable results, we also recommend checking and possibly replacing the printhead and FFC cable. Once liquid is involved, multiple components can be compromised, so repairing only one part may not restore full function.

   • If you do attempt self-repair, make sure to fully dry and clean all connections. In some cases, technicians use isopropyl alcohol and compressed air to remove moisture and residue. But again, success depends on whether the damage was immediate and irreversible.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. It may take a few weeks before we can accept your printer for drop-off. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Therefore, we encourage you to explore self-help options online. You can start by searching our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) for detailed guides-use the search icon next to "About" in the menu bar to find specific topics. YouTube may also recommend related content from other creators that could help you troubleshoot further.

Thank you again for bringing us your question. Your continued support means a lot to us, and we hope this detailed explanation helps you take the next steps with your printer.