Resolving Epson L14150 Set Jig Error and Ink Delivery Issues

Question:

Now, my Epson printer, for which someone shipped me a replacement motherboard, is clicking on the plate with no ink emitted. Previously, I did have the L14150 "Set Jig Error." Is the printhead likely damaged based on this history? So, if I buy a new printhead, will that likely solve the ink delivery issue, or is there a firmware solution with the new motherboard to get the old printhead working again? I haven’t yet attached the printer to the internet or a computer.

Answer:

Now that you’ve changed the motherboard and the printer comes on, but it’s not dropping any ink, there are a few things you need to pay attention to:

Printhead Condition:

The set jig error you saw before with L14150 is related to a calibration/hardware issue. While the new motherboard has fixed that error, the failure may have damaged the original printhead. The new board won't affect whether a lock is put on the printhead due to the initial issue or if the printhead is damaged due to the first problem. Replacing the printhead is the most reliable way to restore proper ink flow in many situations.

Ink Flow Troubleshooting:

For those who find that they have clogged nozzles and are considering a new printhead, you may wish to check whether other issues are stopping the ink from getting through:

Capping Station Check: Make sure the capping station seals properly against the printhead. Seal the printhead with its cap when you are not using it; otherwise, a cap that is not properly sealed or correctly aligned may prevent the printhead from drawing ink. Try to get a syringe and slowly pull about 1.5 ml of air from the waste line. The nozzles are open if you feel light resistance and hear the membrane crinkles.

Printhead Magician: Use a syringe and draw a small amount of ink through waste lines to manually prime the printhead. It can help to identify any blockages or airlocks in the system.

Nozzle check: If your printer has a nozzle check or a diagnostic test that can be run through the printer’s control panel, do so; it will tell you whether any ink is partially delivered. In some cases, other error codes (like E01 or E02) may also show up, offering further insight into any potential problems with the ink delivery system.

Firmware Considerations:

Once you have a new motherboard, no firmware hack can usually bring your old, compromised printhead back to life. Provided that the printhead is broken or has been secured due to the termination event, the best course of action is generally replacing it. In such cases, once a new printhead is fitted (and the other system parts, such as the ink tubing, dampers, and capping station, are working correctly), the printer will flow ink normally again.

Printer troubleshooting is hands-on and thus can be very involved work. Therefore, we cannot troubleshoot, recommend solutions, or assist in printer repairs remotely. Through our printer repair service), you can bring your printer into one of our local diagnostic locations for evaluation and repair. Due to a high service demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis and you will be required to wait a few weeks to drop off your service printer. We have detailed instructions on how to go through complete printer repairs and also repairs on individual parts with us. While our rates may not be the cheapest, we recommend searching for avenues for self-help through online research. From there, use the search icon next to "About" to find specific troubleshooting videos, or explore our YouTube channel [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). This method works very effectively, and YouTube may even recommend other related content from other stations that can help you.

Thank you for contacting us again. We appreciate your support and are here to guide you through your printer problems.

Update from Customer:

Thank you for the excellent advice. I injected air into the waste pipe leading into the maintenance box, which seems to have cleared the blockage. Now the print head is working perfectly. I truly appreciate your clear communication.