Epson SC-T3170M Printing Blank Pages – Causes and Troubleshooting Steps

Question:
Our Epson SC-T3170M printer is producing only blank pages.

  1. We have replaced the ink cartridges twice.

  2. We have flushed and cleaned the printhead.

  3. The firmware is up to date.

  4. The maintenance box has been replaced.

Despite these steps, the printer continues to drain ink, but nothing prints on the page. What could be the cause?

Answer:

When an Epson SC-T3170M consumes ink but still prints completely blank pages, it typically means that ink is not reaching the nozzles despite the printer believing it is functioning normally. The fact that you’ve already replaced cartridges, cleaned/flushed the printhead, updated firmware, and replaced the maintenance box rules out many basic causes, so we’ll focus on less obvious but common possibilities.

Possible Causes and Fixes

  1. Air in the Ink Lines

    • If air bubbles are trapped in the ink delivery system, the printhead nozzles will not receive ink even though the cartridges are full.

    • Solution: Perform a Power Cleaning or Initial Fill procedure from the printer’s maintenance menu. This uses more ink but forces a complete purge of the lines. If possible, check the ink lines visually for gaps or bubbles.

  2. Clogged Damper or Ink Filter

    • The SC-T3170M uses internal dampers/filters to regulate ink flow. If these are clogged with dried ink or debris, ink may never reach the printhead.

    • Solution: The dampers may need to be replaced—this is usually a service center task, but experienced technicians can do it with the correct parts.

  3. Printhead Electrical Failure

    • Even if the printhead is physically clean, the internal piezo elements that eject ink may have failed. This often results in perfectly blank output despite normal-sounding operation.

    • Solution: Printhead replacement is required in this case, which should be done by an Epson service technician.

  4. Ink Cartridge Chip Communication Issue

    • If the printer cannot correctly read the ink level or type from the chip, it might simulate printing without delivering ink. This is less common when genuine Epson cartridges are used but can occur with third-party chips.

    • Solution: Ensure you are using genuine Epson ink cartridges or verify that the chips on replacement cartridges are functioning correctly.

  5. Software or Driver Corruption

    • Occasionally, the print driver can cause blank prints if it’s sending corrupted data.

    • Solution: Try printing from another computer or reinstall the Epson SC-T3170M driver from Epson’s official website.

When to Seek Professional Service

Given that your printer still drains ink but produces no visible output, there’s a strong chance this is a mechanical or electrical printhead failure. In this case, contacting Epson’s authorized repair service is the most efficient way forward, as the SC-T3170M is a large-format technical printer with specialized parts.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. For that reason, 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, so it might take a few weeks before we can get to your printer once it’s dropped 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 (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, and having created videos over the past nine years, it’s challenging to remember every single one. Using YouTube’s search function will likely be the most efficient—and it might also suggest other helpful videos from different creators.

Thanks again for reaching out to BCH Technologies. We appreciate your trust and hope this guidance helps you determine the next step for your Epson SC-T3170M.

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