Epson 8550 Not Printing After Sensor Cleaning? Troubleshooting Guide

Question:

I cleaned the sensor on my Epson 8550, but no ink came out as I ran a print job. The printer is powered off, and the printhead is sitting in DTF cleaner on the capping station. What can cause this issue, and how can it be fixed?

Answer:

Now let us deal with your problem. Several reasons could be behind your Epson 8550 not dispensing any ink even after you clean the sensor. Here’s a troubleshooting guide to identify and solve the issue, step-by-step:

Possible Causes & Solutions:

Air in the Ink System

Disturbing the ink lines or dampers during cleaning could have introduced air into the ink system, thus halting ink flow.

• Using a syringe (1.5-2 ml) try to suck a little ink back through the waste tube.
• There should be some resistance. If only air comes out, not liquid, a seal problem likely needs to be fixed.

Capping Station & Suction Problems

Since you wrote that the printhead is resting in DTF cleaner on the capping station, you should check that it is not flooded. Too much liquid prevents the proper suction, and ink stops flowing.

• Wipe away any excess DTF cleaner on the cap station.
• After performing a routine cleaning cycle, leave the printer to sit for at least an hour before checking the nozzles.

Sensor Interference

If the sensor is moved or not properly reattached, it may prevent the printhead from firing ink.

• Ensure that the sensor is fitted correctly and secured.
• Ensure no ink or debris obstructs the sensor as this may cause it not to work correctly.

Printhead Not Parked Properly

If the printhead can’t be sealed tightly against the capping station, ink won’t draw through correctly.

• Before starting another cleaning cycle, ensure that the printhead is wholly parked.

Over-Cleaning Risk

The cycle on the pump system is so frequent that it could cause flooding in the printhead or even damage the pump system due to an abundance of cleaning cycles.

• Do not run several cleaning cycles in succession.
• If the nozzles remain clogged, leave the printer overnight and try again.

Next Steps:

1. Wipe off excessive DTF cleaner from the capping station.
2. Run a single head cleaning cycle and allow an hour at minimum.
3. If there's no ink, pump the capping station manually with a syringe.
4. Make sure that the sensor is correctly connected and properly aligned.
5. Perform a nozzle check and see if the ink is coming out again.

The tips above should help resolve the problem; if not, more detailed troubleshooting may be necessary.

When it comes to printer troubleshooting, the process requires a very hands-on and practical approach, which can be hard to do through words. Hence, we cannot remotely provide support for printer repairs. We do have a repair service by appointment at our local diagnostic center https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service, but because of the high volume of requests, we offer the service on a first come, first served basis, and it could take a few weeks before your printer could be processed. We offer full-blown and specific component printers repair and detailed guidance for repairs. We also recognize that our prices may not be the most economical. If you prefer a cheaper option, it is definitely worth doing some research online, and you should attempt some DIY repairs.

To begin your search, head over to our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) and utilize the search icon next to the "About" section in the right-hand menu bar to discover videos related to the topic of interest. And with hundreds of videos made over the years, this is the quickest way to find useful material. In addition, YouTube might recommend other channels with similar videos that may help you.

We thank you for your support and engagement. Keep us posted on how it goes, and don’t hesitate to ask more questions.