Epson Printer Black Ink Not Printing: Causes, Fixes, and When to Replace the Printhead

Question:
I've been trying to fix an issue with my Epson printer where the black ink just won't print. When I run a nozzle check, the black only prints a single column no matter what I do. I even swapped in a new cartridge with fresh ink, but the problem remains. The printer acts like it's printing black, but the output always comes out pinkish-red and won't sublimate properly. Is there any way to use the printer without black, and if I purchase a new printhead, will that solve the issue?

Answer:

1. Why Black Prints Only One Column

On Epson printers, the nozzle check pattern is designed to show the health of each ink channel. If your black channel consistently shows only one column-or a very limited spray-even after swapping cartridges, this points to a printhead-level issue rather than an ink supply problem. Possible causes include:

• Severely clogged nozzles: Standard or even deep cleanings may not clear hardened ink.

• Dried ink beneath the nozzle plate: This prevents proper ink ejection.

• Damaged piezo elements inside the printhead: Once the firing chamber is burned out or electrically damaged, that section of the printhead cannot recover.

2. Why Prints Come Out Pinkish-Red

When the black channel isn't firing, the printer driver still assumes black is being laid down. In reality, the print mixes magenta and yellow (and sometimes cyan) to try to simulate darker tones. The result is a reddish or pink-tinted output. For sublimation printing, this makes the final transfer inaccurate since the true black base is missing.

3. Can You Print Without Black?

Technically, some Epson drivers allow you to print using "composite black," where the printer mixes the color inks to produce a dark shade. However, this doesn't work well for sublimation since it won't produce a true deep black when transferred. Even if the file looks acceptable on regular paper, the transferred result will still come out reddish and washed out.

4. Would Replacing the Printhead Fix the Problem?

If the nozzle test for black hasn't improved after:

• Swapping cartridges,

• Running multiple cleanings, and

• Attempting flushing or soaking methods,

then the printhead is very likely permanently damaged. In such cases, replacing the printhead is the only way to restore full black printing. However, it's also important to consider whether the clogging or damage came from:

• Long idle periods without printing,

• Using incompatible or low-quality sublimation ink, or

• Electrical damage from a burned cartridge or overuse of cleaning cycles.

If the underlying issue isn't addressed, a new printhead could eventually face the same problem.

Addressing clogged or damaged printheads is a complicated process that often requires hands-on evaluation. Because of this, we aren't able to provide direct remote troubleshooting or repair support. However, we do offer in-person evaluation and repair services through our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Since this service runs on a first-come, first-served basis, there may be a waiting period of a few weeks before we can examine your printer. We provide both full printer repairs and part-specific services, but we also acknowledge that our rates aren't always the most economical. For this reason, we strongly recommend exploring self-help approaches as well, starting with our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to the "About" section on our channel to find tutorials more quickly. With nearly a decade of content, it's the most efficient way to locate specific videos, and YouTube may also suggest other creators' content that can help.

Thank you again for reaching out with your question and for your continued support of BCH Technologies. We hope this explanation gives you a clearer understanding of why your black ink isn't printing and the steps you can take moving forward.