Epson ET-8550 Not Printing All Colors? Here's How to Fix White and Color Ink Flow Issues on DTF Printers

Question:

I’m having ongoing issues with my Epson ET-8550 DTF printer. This is my second unit, and I want it to work. The white ink was clogged initially, and now all colors except for yellow are barely printing or completely missing. I already flushed the DTG Pro cleaning solution through the system and even replaced four dampers, but only yellow shows up after a nozzle check. I saw a tip you shared about using the capping station to draw ink, and I tried it, but I'm still not getting results. Is there anything else I can try? I’m open to anything at this point.

Answer:

Step 1: Properly Park the Printhead and Check Vacuum

Power on the printer and let the printhead settle naturally on the capping station (do not move it manually). This ensures a proper seal.

• Connect a syringe with tubing to the waste ink line.

• Slowly draw 1.5 ml of air. You should feel slight resistance.

  • If you draw only air, the printhead may not be parked correctly, or the capping station’s rubber seal may be compromised.

  • If entirely blocked (no air or fluid moves): The capping station may be clogged.

• Hearing a faint “crinkle” or flex in the damper membranes means the suction is reaching the printhead.

• Gently continue drawing up to 2 ml and hold for 10 seconds.

This helps to identify apparent air gaps and tests the flow path through the printhead.

Avoid vigorous cleanings right afterward—let the printer rest for at least 12 hours between aggressive cleaning routines.

Step 2: Confirm Ink Flow from Cartridges to Dampers

If only yellow shows up, the other ink channels are either clogged or air-locked.

• Disconnect the ink lines from the dampers.

• Use a syringe to pull ink from each cartridge line manually. You should see a steady, bubble-free flow.

• If no ink flows: You may have a bad cartridge valve or a blockage in the line.

Step 3: Check Dampers for Air Gaps

Even brand-new dampers can trap air, which prevents ink from reaching the nozzles.

• Remove each damper and manually prime it using a syringe from the outlet.

• Make sure it fills with ink—no air bubbles.

Then reattach them to the printhead and run a cleaning cycle.

Step 4: Gently Flush the Printhead from Below

For deeply clogged heads:

• Remove the dampers.

• Connect a soft silicone tube to a syringe with cleaning solution.

• Gently flush each nozzle port on the printhead with minimal pressure—too much force can cause permanent damage.

Allow the fluid to sit inside the head for a few minutes to loosen dried ink.

Step 5: Test and Soak the Capping Station

The capping station must have good suction to pull ink during cleaning cycles.

• Fill the capping station with cleaning fluid.

• Park the printhead over it and let it soak for a few hours.

• After soaking, run a standard head cleaning and check if any additional colors appear in a nozzle check.

Step 6: Verify Waste Ink Pump and Tubing

• Check that the waste ink tubing is not kinked or blocked.

• Try manually drawing ink through the waste tube with a syringe—there should be good suction.

• A failing waste pump will prevent the printer from pulling ink through the head during cleanings.

Step 7: Re-prime the System and Avoid Over-Cleaning

If you’ve recently disassembled any part of the ink path, air may have been introduced. You can:

• Use the printer’s priming function (if available), or

• Run up to 2 power cleanings, spaced several hours apart.

Do not run back-to-back power cleanings—this can overheat and damage the printhead.

Addressing printer issues like this can be challenging due to the hands-on nature of the repair process. For that reason, we’re unable to offer remote troubleshooting or direct one-on-one support for repairs. However, we do offer an in-person printer repair service through our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Please note that service is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and depending on demand, there might be a wait before your printer can be evaluated. We provide part-specific or full repairs depending on your needs, but we understand that our pricing may not be ideal for all users. That's why we strongly encourage DIY solutions, beginning with video content on our YouTube channel homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to the “About” tab to locate specific videos relevant to your printer model and symptoms. You may even discover helpful tutorials from other creators through YouTube’s search suggestions.

Thank you again for trusting us with your printer questions. We hope these steps give your Epson 8550 a fighting chance, and we truly appreciate your determination and support of BCH Technologies.