Diagnosing Severe Epson Printer Malfunctions: What to Replace When Printing Goes Haywire

My Epson printer is printing incorrectly. During nozzle checks and printhead alignment, the output is distorted. When I try to print a photo, it floods the entire page with ink and occasionally prints off the edge of the paper. What replacement parts should I order to fix this?

Based on your description, it appears your printer is experiencing multiple simultaneous issues that are indicative of severe internal malfunction. Here is a detailed breakdown of the symptoms and the parts that may be involved:

• Nozzle check issues and over-inking on photos: This often suggests a malfunctioning printhead. If the nozzles are clogged or the printhead is electrically damaged, the printer may spray excessive or uncontrolled ink.

• Off-paper printing during alignment or image jobs: This could be caused by a mainboard (logic board) failure. If the mainboard cannot correctly interpret the positioning and margins, the printer may print beyond the intended area.

• Possibly worn or misaligned carriage system: The carriage return mechanism (the part that moves the printhead back and forth) might be out of adjustment or physically degraded. This would cause improper print alignment and positioning.

• Printhead FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) damage: These cables connect the printhead to the printer’s logic board. If damaged or loose, signal loss can lead to erratic printing behavior.

So, without a thorough in-person diagnostic test, we can't determine the exact failing component. However, from your description, we recommend preparing to potentially replace:

• Printhead

• Mainboard

• Printhead FFC cables

• Carriage assembly (if visibly loose or worn)

We strongly suggest starting with a diagnostic evaluation before ordering parts, especially if you want to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Thank you once again for reaching out to us and for supporting BCH Technologies. We hope to help get your printer back on track soon.