Epson L1800 DTF Printer Not Printing Black or White After Flushing: Causes and Solutions

Question:

After using my Procolored L1800 for about a year with DTF ink, I'm having trouble getting a clean nozzle check. I flushed the system multiple times and even removed and cleaned the printhead, but the black and white nozzles still won’t print. What steps should I take now, and how can I get it serviced if necessary?

Answer:

Troubleshooting Persistent Nozzle Blockage on the L1800

Your description indicates that the issue may be related to either severe clogging of the black and white channels or insufficient priming after flushing the printhead.

Step 1: Re-Prime the Printhead

After flushing the head, it’s critical to properly prime the printhead. Here’s how:

1. Park the printhead on the capping station. Turn the printer on and let the printhead automatically move and rest on the capping station. Do this with the power on for accurate alignment.

2. Connect a syringe (with a short silicone tube) to the waste line at the back of the capping station.

3. Gently draw 2 ml of air:

   • First, pull back slowly until you reach 1.5 ml. You should feel slight resistance.

   • If you feel no resistance and only draw air, the printhead may not be seated properly, or the capping station may not be sealing correctly.

   • If you feel total resistance and cannot pull at all, the capping station might be clogged.

   • If it’s working properly, you may hear the damper membrane crinkle, signaling that ink is being pulled through the nozzles.

4. Draw up to 2 ml total, then hold the vacuum for about 10 seconds to allow the ink to settle.

5. Follow with a regular cleaning cycle from the printer menu. Avoid running strong cleaning routines back-to-back—wait at least 12 hours between heavy cleanings to prevent damage.

Step 2: Inspect the Capping Station

The capping station plays a critical role in maintaining nozzle health. If it’s clogged or not sealing, ink won’t prime correctly.

Here are some video resources to help:

• Capping Station Screeching Troubleshooting (https://youtu.be/MjArYM-QnfU)

• Additional Screeching Sounds Diagnosis (https://youtu.be/TNOG_1TtN6g)

More in-depth tutorials:

• Removing and Installing the Capping Station (https://youtu.be/_cZEkmgIZYc)

• Unclogging the Capping Station (https://youtu.be/WbY_6O1-w2c)

• Capping Station Maintenance (https://youtu.be/5yjq3ZN0qv8)

• Repairing the Capping Station (https://youtu.be/5UC2IMu9V90)

• Rewiring Capping Station Tubes (https://youtu.be/J9im3s8UJfo)

If you need even deeper insight, we offer an exclusive step-by-step guide that breaks down the entire L1800 capping station, including gear and assembly details. You can find that here on our website (https://bchtechnologies.com/products/video-capping-station-assemble-disassemble-guide-for-l1800-1390-artisan-1430-and-1400).

Step 3: Swap Color Channels to Isolate Clogging

If priming doesn’t work and ink still won’t flow from the black or white channels:

• Try swapping ink channels. For example, assign a working color to the black or white ink lines using your RIP software.

• If the new color prints fine in the problematic channel, your issue is likely a clog in the head.

• If not, you may have a permanent blockage. Unfortunately, some clogs—especially with thick DTF ink—cannot be cleared.

Addressing printer issues can be a complex and hands-on process. Because of this, we're unable to offer remote diagnostics or repairs. However, we do offer an in-person evaluation and printer repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Please note that appointments are managed on a first-come, first-served basis due to high demand, and it may take several weeks before we can evaluate your unit. Our services cover full printer repairs as well as individual part replacements. That said, we understand that not all customers can afford professional repair costs. We highly encourage self-guided solutions by searching YouTube or exploring the BCH YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon on the channel page to look up topics—it’s the fastest way to find what you need, and YouTube may even show other helpful videos from the wider community.

Thank you again for reaching out and for being a valued member of our tech community. We wish you the best in restoring your L1800 to perfect working order.