Epson 1390 or L1800 Printing Blank Pages Even After Replacing the Printhead? Possible Causes and Fixes

Question:
My printer prints completely blank pages. I have already replaced the printhead and checked the fuses and transistors on the board, but the problem remains and I don't know what else to check. Do you have any suggestions?

Answer:

When an Epson 1390, L1800, or similar printer prints completely blank pages, even after replacing the printhead and verifying the fuses and transistors, the issue usually falls into a few specific categories. Since you've already checked some of the most common hardware failures, the next areas to investigate are the driver circuitry, ink delivery system, and maintenance components.

Below are several possible causes.

1. Faulty Printhead Driver Chip (Mainboard Driver IC)

One of the most common causes of blank printing-especially after installing a new printhead-is a damaged driver chip on the mainboard.

The driver IC controls the electrical signals that fire the piezo elements in the printhead. If this chip is damaged, the printer may still move normally and appear to print, but no nozzles will fire, resulting in completely blank pages.

This type of failure often happens when:

• A shorted printhead damages the driver IC

• The printhead was installed while the printer still had power

• Static discharge occurs during installation

• A cable connection was misaligned

Symptoms typically include:

• Blank pages

• No ink firing during printing

• The printer behaving normally otherwise (paper feeds, carriage moves)

If the driver chip is damaged, the repair typically requires mainboard repair or replacement, since the chip itself is difficult to replace without specialized equipment.

2. Ink System Not Priming (Capping Station Problem)

Another common cause of blank pages is a faulty capping station.

The capping station is responsible for:

• Sealing the printhead when idle

• Pulling ink through the printhead during cleaning cycles

• Maintaining proper ink pressure

If the capping station is clogged, worn, or not sealing properly, the printer may fail to prime ink into the printhead. When this happens, even a brand-new printhead may print blank pages because no ink is actually reaching the nozzles.

Common capping station issues include:

• Hardened rubber cap

• Ink buildup inside the cap

• Blocked waste tubes

• Weak or disconnected pump

You can test this by running a cleaning cycle and observing whether ink moves through the waste line.

3. Ink Delivery Problems

Blank pages can also occur if ink is not reaching the printhead due to air or blockage in the ink system.

Things to inspect include:

• Ink dampers (clogged or air-filled)

• Ink tubes (air bubbles)

• Ink tanks or cartridges not supplying ink

• Blocked filters inside the dampers

In DTF or converted printers, dampers are especially important. If a damper is clogged, the printhead will not receive ink even though it is functioning properly.

4. Damaged or Loose Printhead Cable

Another possibility is the FFC (flat flex cable) connecting the printhead to the mainboard.

If the cable is:

• Torn

• Burned

• Inserted incorrectly

• Not fully seated

Then the printer cannot send firing signals to the printhead.

In some cases, one cable line fails and causes partial printing, but if multiple signal lines are lost, the result can be completely blank output.

Always inspect the cable carefully under good lighting.

5. Incorrect or Corrupted Driver / Software Issue

Although less common, a software issue can occasionally cause blank printing.

Possible problems include:

• Incorrect printer driver

• Corrupted driver installation

• Printing through an unsupported RIP configuration

• Incorrect port selection

Reinstalling the printer driver and testing with a simple nozzle check from the Epson utility can help rule this out.

Suggested Troubleshooting Order

If you are diagnosing a printer printing blank pages, the typical troubleshooting order would be:

1. Confirm ink is present and flowing

2. Inspect dampers and ink lines

3. Check the capping station and pump

4. Inspect printhead cables

5. Evaluate mainboard driver chip failure

Because you already replaced the printhead and verified fuses and transistors, the driver chip or ink system (capping/dampers) are the most likely causes.

Addressing printer problems can be quite challenging because many of them require hands-on inspection and mechanical testing. For this reason, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting or repair guidance for specific printer repairs. However, we do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility. You can learn more here: BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, our repairs operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take several weeks before we can accept a printer for drop-off.

Our repair services are structured to handle either full printer repairs or individual component repairs with clear instructions on how to proceed. That said, we understand our repair rates may not always be the most economical option. Because of this, we strongly recommend exploring self-help resources first.

A great starting point is YouTube. You can visit our channel homepage here: BCH Technologies YouTube Channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Once there, use the search icon next to the "About" section on the right-hand side of the menu bar to look for videos related to your specific printer model or issue. I receive dozens of messages daily asking whether we have a video on a specific repair topic. Since we've been creating content for over nine years, it's difficult to remember every video we've published. Using YouTube's search function is usually the fastest way to find the right content. Additionally, YouTube may recommend helpful videos from other creators that could assist you.

Thanks again for reaching out and for your continued support of BCH Technologies. We truly appreciate your interest in our work and your engagement with our community.