Question:
My Epson L1800 printer's yellow channel stopped printing. I've already done a power flush, ran cleaner through the nozzle and printhead, and confirmed that the liquid flows perfectly. The printhead looks clean and undamaged. I even replaced the damper, changed the ink, and bled the line-but it still doesn't print yellow. What else can I try?
Answer:
Now, regarding your Epson L1800 issue-when the yellow channel completely stops printing even after thorough flushing and cleaning, it's often not due to a clog, but rather a flow or pressure imbalance within the ink delivery system. Since you've already replaced the damper and bled the lines, we'll focus on verifying the printhead seal and suction system.
Here's a detailed step-by-step process that may help identify the issue:
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Check if the nozzles are open:
Remove the printhead and gently push cleaning fluid through the yellow ink port using a syringe. If fluid exits freely from the nozzles, then the printhead itself is open and not clogged. -
Properly park the printhead:
Turn the printer on and allow the printhead to move naturally and settle on the capping station. Avoid forcing it manually while powered off. Parking with the power on ensures the head seals correctly over the capping pad. -
Test the capping station's suction:
Attach a syringe and small tube to the printer's waste line (connected to the pump assembly). Gently draw about 2 ml of air through the line.-
If you can only draw air without resistance, the printhead may not be sealed on the capping station or there's a leak in the rubber gasket.
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If you encounter full resistance right away and nothing moves, the capping station or pump may be clogged, preventing suction from forming.
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Ideally, after drawing about 1.5 ml, you'll feel a soft pull and may even hear a faint "crinkle" from the damper membrane-this means the printhead nozzles are open and the system is sealed correctly.
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Complete the suction test carefully:
Continue to draw gently until you reach 2 ml, making sure the black rubber stopper of the syringe passes the 2 ml mark. Hold this position for about 10 seconds to maintain pressure and allow any air pockets to clear. -
Run a normal cleaning cycle:
After the suction test, perform one standard cleaning using the printer's built-in function. Avoid running multiple cleanings in a row-especially within 12 hours-as it can overheat or stress the printhead.
It's also worth noting that DTF ink is thicker and more viscous than regular dye or pigment ink, which means it may take extra effort to re-establish flow after cleaning. If the yellow channel still doesn't print despite having open nozzles and good suction, there could be a micro-leak between the damper and printhead, or a failed piezo chamber for that color-both of which can mimic a clog.
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 (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and it might take a few weeks before we can get your printer dropped off. Our services cover both full printer repairs and individual part replacements. While our rates may not always be the lowest, we encourage customers to explore self-help resources first. You can find detailed tutorials on our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies)-just use the search icon next to the "About" tab to look up specific printer models or topics.
Thank you again for your patience and for being part of the BCH Technologies community. Your dedication to learning and troubleshooting helps us continue to grow and support more printer users around the world.