Epson ET-16600 Error 031004 After Cleaning Printhead: Can a New Printhead Fix It?

Question: I own an Epson ET-16600 and after two years of use, my magenta channel became half clogged. I tried multiple unclogging methods and now the printer shows Error 031004. I later realized I may have caused deeper damage by cleaning the printhead while it was still installed, as some YouTube tutorials suggested. The printhead has black burn marks on its connectors, but the printer still turns on and shows a display. Does this mean the mainboard is still intact? Would replacing the printhead and cleaning the ribbon cable fix it?

Answer:

Understanding the Consequences of In-Printer Printhead Cleaning

First, your realization is spot-on—cleaning the printhead while it's still installed can be risky, especially when using moisture, isopropyl alcohol, or cleaning solution. If fluid leaks down to the FFC connectors or mainboard, it may short the printhead or damage the logic circuitry. Unfortunately, many video tutorials don’t warn users about this risk.

Once moisture bridges pins in the FFC cable or the printhead connector, the electrical short can create a burnt appearance or “black stuff”—typically carbon residue from a blown internal trace or melted plastic insulation. Once this happens, restoring the original printhead is usually not possible.

Interpreting Error 031004 vs. Error 031006

• Error 031006 typically means the printer cannot detect or communicate with the printhead—a total failure scenario often pointing to a fried printhead or disconnected FFC.

• Error 031004, however, usually means the printer can still detect the hardware but is having trouble initializing due to improper signal quality or partial data loss.

Since your printer is still powering on and displaying the 031004 error, it’s possible that the mainboard is still intact, though it may still have suffered minor degradation.

Can You Fix It with a New Printhead?

Yes, replacing the printhead is a valid next step, but it may not guarantee a complete fix. Based on your symptoms, there are three components that may need attention:

1. Printhead – If it has visible burn marks, it’s almost certainly toast.

2. FFC Cable – Any scorched or oxidized contact pins can interrupt communication and cause errors.

3. Mainboard – If the short traveled down the FFC into the logic board, you may be dealing with internal signal loss. However, if the printer still boots and only shows 031004, your board may still be salvageable.

You can try cleaning the ribbon cable contacts carefully with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free swab. But if the contact pads are melted or delaminated, it’s safer to replace the cable.

Do We Stock Epson ET-16600 Printheads?

The Epson ET-16600 uses a PrecisionCore printhead, often shared with similar Workforce and EcoTank models. These printheads are occasionally available through our channels. Please visit our Printer Parts section (https://bchtechnologies.com/collections/printheads) or contact us directly to check current availability and pricing.

We also offer mainboard repair services, so if replacing the printhead doesn't work, your board may still be recoverable without purchasing a whole new printer.

Important Note About Repairs

Printer hardware issues—especially those involving electrical damage—can be quite complex and involve multiple failure points. Because of the hands-on nature of this work, we cannot offer remote repair instructions or personalized troubleshooting over email. However, we do offer in-person evaluation and repair through our printer repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). This service operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and due to high demand, turnaround may take a few weeks.

We specialize in both full printer restoration and component-level repairs. That said, we understand our service pricing may not be the lowest, so if you're comfortable with DIY approaches, we encourage you to explore our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon near the "About" tab to locate videos on 031006, FFC cable replacement, or ET-series repairs.

Thank you again for reaching out to us and sharing your experience—it helps us build better support materials for the community. We hope your ET-16600 can be brought back to life, and we’re here to assist however we can!