Epson ET-8550 Leaving Black Streaks and Ink Drops: Causes and Fixes

Question:
My Epson ET-8550 printer is leaving black streaks across the paper and I've noticed small drops of black ink along the track inside the printer. What could be causing this, and how can I fix it?

Answer:

Now, let's go over what could be causing those black streaks and ink drops in your Epson ET-8550 and how to resolve them effectively.

1. Excess Ink Build-up on the Printhead or Wiper Blade

When you see dark streaks or smudges, it often means the printhead's bottom surface is contaminated with wet ink. The ET-8550's capping and wiper system may not be cleaning the printhead efficiently. Over time, dried ink or debris can cause the wiper blade to smear ink instead of removing it.
Fix:

• Run the printer's built-in cleaning cycle once or twice.

• Open the printer and gently clean around the printhead's resting area (the capping station) using a lint-free swab dampened with distilled water or cleaning solution.

• Manually clean the wiper blade - it's a small rubber strip next to the cap - by wiping it gently until it's free of excess ink.

2. Ink Drops on the Carriage Path (Track Contamination)

The small black drops of ink along the track usually come from overspray, a leaking ink line, or residue shaken loose during head movement. When performing a damper or ink line installation, if any air or ink pressure imbalance occurs, it may cause ink mist or droplets to collect on the printer's internal surfaces.
Fix:

• Check the carriage rail and encoder strip (the transparent strip behind the printhead carriage) for ink contamination. Use a lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher) to clean both carefully.

• Inspect the dampers and ink lines for leaks. If recently replaced, ensure that the seals are tight and that the dampers are seated properly onto the printhead ports.

3. Dirty or Damaged Platen Roller

Black streaks on prints can also appear if the platen roller (the rubber roller under the paper path) has ink residue. This can transfer ink back onto the printout.
Fix:

• Lift the scanner bed and examine the platen roller for ink smears.

• Clean the roller with a lint-free cloth and a small amount of isopropyl alcohol while manually rotating it.

4. Excess Ink in the Waste Ink Pad Area

The ET-8550 has a maintenance or waste ink pad that collects excess ink during cleanings. When it becomes saturated, excess ink may splash or wick onto the underside of the carriage track.
Fix:

• Check the area beneath the printhead's resting position for pooled ink.

• If the pad is soaked, it may need replacement or cleaning, which typically requires partial disassembly.

5. Ink Oversaturation or Incorrect Paper Settings

If you notice streaking only on certain types of prints, it might be due to oversaturation. Using the wrong paper type or print quality setting can cause too much black ink to be deposited, leading to smears.
Fix:

• Ensure the driver's media type matches your actual paper (e.g., glossy, matte, plain).

• Try lowering the print density or selecting a lighter color mode in the printer settings.

If you've performed a damper replacement or ink line installation as seen in our ET-8550 repair guide video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnt_ok5-CgY), it's worth double-checking all connections and ensuring there's no residual ink left inside the printer path after reassembly.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Therefore, we're unable to provide remote troubleshooting or repair support. However, we do offer in-person evaluation and repair services through our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Because of high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before drop-off. Our services cover full printer and part-specific repairs, though we recognize our rates might not be the most affordable option. For cost-effective solutions, we recommend researching online resources, including our YouTube channel's homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon near the "About" tab to find tutorials that match your issue.

Thank you again for your continued trust and engagement. Your questions help us produce more detailed and useful content for the printer repair community.