Epson L805 DTF All Lights Blinking and Won't Home: How to Find the Error Code and Decide Whether to Upgrade Printers

Q: My Eason (Epson) L805 DTF has all the lights blinking and it won't return to the home position. What's wrong, and what DTF printer should I buy that will last?

1) What "all lights blinking" and "won't home" usually indicates

On Epson platforms like the L805, all lights blinking typically means the printer has thrown a fatal/protective error and has halted motion to prevent damage. When it also won't return to home position, that points toward a problem in one of these categories:

• Carriage/home positioning issue (the printhead carriage can't find the "home" sensor or can't move freely)

• Encoder strip or encoder sensor issue (printer can't "read" carriage position accurately)

• Paper feed / PF / CR motor control fault

• APG (Auto Platen Gap) sensor fault or head height/gap system fault (some conversions or configurations can trigger this type of fault)

• Maintenance station/capping/wiper jam (common with DTF ink build-up, adhesive dust/powder contamination, or dried ink)

• Firmware-protection state after repeated stalls (the printer remembers the last fault until it's cleared properly)

The key is: the lights tell you the printer is in error mode, but they don't tell you which error. The fastest way forward is to read the actual logged error code.

2) The quickest way to identify the real fault: Epson Adjustment Program (read the stored error)

To check what's wrong, you can use a specialized Epson service utility often called the Adjustment Program (sometimes "Epson Adjustment Program" or "Epson Service Program"). Here's the process you outlined, with a bit more detail so it's easier to follow:

1. Connect the printer by USB (avoid Wi-Fi for this-USB is more reliable for service tools).

2. Open the Adjustment Program.

3. In the port dropdown, select the USB port showing your printer name/model.

4. Choose Particular Adjustment Mode (sometimes listed as "Particular Adjustment").

5. Scroll and click Printer Information Check.

6. Click Check.

7. Look at the results list-the most recent failure is typically shown at the top as "error number 1."

That top entry is your best clue. Write down the exact error code and any text shown with it.

How to interpret the code

Once you have the code, you can search:

• "BCH Epson Error" (and then add your code)

That should lead you to our resource explaining Epson's hidden service codes (often called the "Triple Secret Error Codes"). Those codes commonly point to items like:

• APG sensor issues

• CR encoder / encoder sensor issues

• PF (paper feed) sensor/motor issues

• Carriage lock / home sensor detection issues

• Maintenance station movement faults

Even if two problems look similar from the outside (blinking lights), the service code usually tells you where the printer got "stuck."

Practical note: This software is normally meant for Epson technicians, but some DTF sellers include it (or a compatible version) with their machines. If you don't have it, you may need to search online for a copy that matches your printer's model/series.

Quick video walkthrough

Here's a short video that shows the basic idea of pulling the error quickly:
BCH quick walkthrough video (https://youtube.com/shorts/FPZzpyYuZLE)

3) Common causes and fixes once you have the error code

Because you mentioned the printer won't home, here are the most common real-world fixes tied to the typical L805 failure areas. When you retrieve your specific code, match it to the relevant section below:

A) Carriage can't move / can't reach home

What you might notice: grinding, stalling, carriage stuck mid-rail, or it moves slightly then stops.

Common causes:

• DTF ink residue or powder contamination on the rail or near the capping station

• A jammed maintenance station (cap/wiper not moving correctly)

• Damaged belt teeth or obstruction in the carriage path

What to check (power off first):

• With the printer OFF, gently slide the carriage by hand. It should move smoothly.

• Inspect the right-side "home" area and the maintenance station for clumps of ink, powder, or anything physically blocking travel.

• Check the carriage belt for slack or missing teeth.

B) Encoder strip / encoder sensor problem (very common in "won't home" complaints)

Symptoms: carriage moves unpredictably, "can't find position," or stops after a short movement.

Common causes:

• Encoder strip is dirty (ink mist, grease, fingerprints)

• Strip is out of position, scratched, or kinked

• Encoder sensor is contaminated

Fix approach (carefully):

• Clean the encoder strip gently with lint-free material and appropriate cleaner (no harsh scraping).

• Confirm the strip is seated correctly through the sensor path and not twisted.

• If the strip is physically damaged, it may need replacement.

C) APG sensor / platen gap related errors

You mentioned that an APG-related fault can show up-this is one example of what a service code can reveal.

Why it happens in DTF life:

• Conversions sometimes change mechanical tolerances (thickness, platen clearance expectations).

• Sticky ink build-up can interfere with mechanisms that read or set the gap.

• Some systems don't like repeated stalls and will throw a protective APG-related stop.

Typical resolution path:

• Inspect and clean around the platen/gap sensing areas if accessible.

• Confirm nothing is physically preventing normal carriage travel height/clearance.

• Clear the error properly after repair (some faults won't clear until the condition is corrected and the printer is reset via the service flow).

D) Maintenance station (capping/wiper/pump) jam

If the cap can't move, the printer may refuse to home or run a proper initialization.

DTF makes this more likely because white ink and DTF chemistry can create heavier build-up.

Checks:

• Look for hardened ink around the wiper blade and cap.

• Ensure the station can move (where applicable) and isn't glued by dried ink.

4) Should you repair the L805 DTF or upgrade?

Here's the honest take: most "all lights blinking" errors are fixable once you identify the exact code and address the mechanical/sensor cause. That said...

Because yours is an L805-based DTF, you may be better served long-term by moving to a true A3 DTF platform rather than continuing to invest heavily into an older A4/A+ platform-especially if your goal is reliability, capacity, and parts availability.

Which DTF printer brand will last the longest?

I don't have a single brand I recommend universally. A big reason is that many DTF printers are built on older donor machines (often recycled platforms), so reliability varies wildly by seller assembly quality, support, and parts sourcing-not just the model name on the listing.

Also, I'm staying impartial because:

• I recently released my own build work (KevinV2) focused on modifying the ET-8550 platform-starting with a newer machine has real advantages.

• I'm also working toward releasing my own DTF printer, so it wouldn't be fair for me to steer you into another brand as "the best" when I'm directly involved in development.

A more practical way to choose "what lasts"

If you're shopping now, prioritize:

• Parts availability (printhead, dampers, pump, capping station, encoder strip-can you actually buy them?)

• Seller support quality (do they provide real troubleshooting guidance and stock replacements?)

• Chassis age and condition (newer donor platform tends to be more consistent)

• A3 size if you're serious about production (more headroom, less pushing the machine beyond its intended limits)

If your L805 error turns out to be something simple (encoder strip cleaning, station clean-out, obstruction), it may be worth fixing as a backup or learning unit-but for production stability, an A3 direction is usually the smarter move.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair because the problems are hands-on by nature-often involving mechanical alignment, sensor feedback, and condition-based diagnostics that can't be reliably confirmed over messages. Because of that, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility: Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, everything is handled first-come, first-served, and it may take a few weeks before we're able to get your printer in for drop-off. Our services are structured to repair either the whole printer or specific parts with clear next-step instructions. That said, we understand our rates aren't the most economical-so we strongly recommend self-help through online research first. A good starting point is YouTube, especially our channel homepage: BCH Technologies YouTube (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon near "About" on the right side of the menu bar to find videos by topic. I get dozens of messages every day asking for a specific video, and after nine years of publishing, it's tough to remember every single one-so YouTube search is the fastest way. You may also find excellent related videos from other channels that YouTube suggests.

Thanks again for contacting us and for supporting what we do. If you can pull that most recent error code (error number 1) from the Adjustment Program, you'll be much closer to a real fix-because once we know the exact code (including any APG sensor or other named fault), we can match it to the right repair path.