Epson F2100 Yellow/White Not Printing: Is It Worth Replacing the Printhead, Capping/Pump Station, Dampers, and Ink Lines?

Question: I bought an Epson F2100 for $1500 and it shows only about 218 prints. It looks clean-no ink leaks or mess. When we tested it, yellow and white were not printing. I tried to unclog the printhead and got yellow back, but the white seems dried inside the lower ink chambers of the printhead before the nozzle holes.

I also tested the waste ink pump and felt hard resistance, so I think the waste station/pump is bad. At this point I believe I need to replace the printhead, waste ink station with pump, ink tubes, and dampers.

Before I spend money on all of that, I want to test the motherboard even though there are no error codes on the screen. If the motherboard is good, I'll replace the printhead, pump, dampers, and ink lines. Am I on the right path, or should I give up? Can this printer still be saved considering the dried ink in the pump and printhead (and maybe tubes too)?

Answer: 

1) You're thinking in the right direction-this is an ink-delivery "system" problem, not just a simple clog

On an Epson F2100 (DTG printer), if yellow was missing but came back, while white remains missing and appears dried in the printhead's lower chambers, that generally suggests:

• The white channel has been idle long enough to dry internally, and/or

• The printer's maintenance system (cap top/wiper/pump) has not been functioning correctly, so it can't keep the head wet or pull ink properly during cleanings.

White ink is the most demanding ink in DTG because pigment settles and it requires consistent circulation/maintenance. When maintenance fails, white is usually the first to go "hard."

2) "Hard resistance" in the waste ink pump is a major red flag (and it matches your white symptoms)

Your observation that the pump has hard resistance is important. A healthy pump/capping system should be able to pull ink and waste smoothly.

If the pump is clogged with dried ink (or the cap top is hardened), you can get:

• cleanings that don't actually move ink,

• an inability to generate proper suction at the cap,

• accelerated nozzle drying-especially white.

So yes, your suspicion that the waste ink station / pump assembly is bad is very plausible.

3) Do you need to "test the motherboard" first?

Here's the practical reality:

• If the printer powers on normally and the display does not show an error code, the mainboard is usually not the first concern.

• Most catastrophic mainboard issues show up as:

  • failure to boot,

  • repeated fatal errors,

  • immediate shutdowns,

  • persistent error codes,

  • or blown fuses/visible damage.

So I agree with your instinct to be cautious, but I also want to save you time and stress: if the printer turns on and runs without error codes, I generally wouldn't worry about the mainboard first.

That said, there is one exception: if a printhead has an electrical short, it can damage head drivers. But the issue you described (white dried internally, maintenance station resistance) sounds much more like fluid/mechanical maintenance failure, not an electrical short.

4) The expensive truth: replacing what you listed can exceed the value quickly

You are likely looking at a repair stack that includes:

• New printhead (often the biggest cost)

• Capping/maintenance station with pump

• Dampers

• Ink lines/tubes

• Possibly wiper, seals, flushing, and labor time

If you buy OEM-quality parts and avoid risky sources, the total can get expensive fast. In many cases, you can be looking at around $2,500 in parts cost (especially if you're not gambling on ultra-low-cost marketplaces with inconsistent quality).

So the correct answer to "Can it be saved?" is: yes, but only if the repair cost still makes financial sense for your situation.

5) Are you on the right path or should you give up?

You're on a logical path, but your decision should be based on a simple cost-risk question:

When it's worth continuing

• The printer boots with no error codes

• Mechanics are in good shape (carriage movement, no grinding, no obvious damage)

• You're prepared for the possibility that the printhead is not recoverable

• You have a realistic budget that still leaves you "ahead" compared to buying a known-good working unit

When it's smarter to stop

• You're already at (or beyond) the price of a working printer after parts

• You're relying on uncertain parts sources and can't afford rework

• The unit shows deeper issues after inspection (corrosion, severe ink flooding, previous improper repairs, etc.)

The dried white ink in the printhead chambers plus a stuck/clogged pump system is exactly the scenario where repairs can work-but they can also become a money pit if you chase one component at a time.

6) Bottom line guidance based on what you reported

• If the printer turns on and functions without error codes, I would not make the mainboard your primary worry right now.

• You're likely correct that you're dealing with:

  • a maintenance station/pump problem, and

  • a white channel printhead problem that may require replacement.

• Your machine is likely "savable," but the deciding factor is how much money you're willing to invest versus the guaranteed outcome you need.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility: Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it might take a few weeks before we can get your printer to drop it off. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we highly recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage: BCH Technologies on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Look for specific videos using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be most efficient. Plus, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.

Thank you again for reaching out. I know it's a tough situation because you got a "clean-looking" machine that still has serious white-ink and maintenance-system issues. I hope this gives you a clearer decision point: the printer can often be saved, but whether it's worth saving depends on how much cost you're willing to absorb versus the reliability you need.