Fixing Flashing Ink and Paper Lights on Epson L1800: Diagnosing the 0x54 PF/ASF Reset Error

Question:

What causes the ink and paper lights on an Epson L1800 printer to flash at the same time after startup, and how can I fix it?

Answer:

Understanding the Problem: Simultaneous Flashing Ink and Paper Lights

When both the ink and paper lights on your Epson L1800 begin flashing simultaneously shortly after powering on, it’s a strong indication of a mechanical malfunction—not a simple ink or paper jam. Specifically, this condition is often associated with the 0x54 PF/ASF Reset Error.

This error includes sub-codes such as:

• ASF Sensor Failure

• ASF Motor Failure

The printer attempts to initialize, the print head parks and resets properly, and the paper feeder engages. But then, instead of feeding paper, the system throws the error and both lights start blinking.

What’s Likely Happening

In the video you shared (thank you for that!), we observed the ASF unit moving up and down, which is normal behavior during initialization. However, it should be feeding paper in sync—which it clearly isn’t. This mismatch between motor activity and paper feed detection leads to the 0x54 reset error.

The printer is essentially reporting:
"I tried to feed paper, but something didn’t respond as expected, and I can’t proceed."

Let’s look into the most likely culprits and what you can do about them.

Common Causes and Fixes

1. ASF Motor Issue (Right Side “Pancake” Motor)

• Location: Just above the capping station on the printer's right side.

• Function: Drives the ASF (Automatic Sheet Feeder) mechanism.

• Potential Problems:

  • Loose or missing connection to the logic board.

  • Incompatibility with third-party or DTF-modified mainboards.

Fix Tips:

• Check for a secure connection between the motor and the logic board.

• If using a third-party driver board (common in DTF setups), make sure it supports ASF motor output. Many custom boards skip this motor entirely, leading to reset failures.

• If you suspect board limitations, try swapping in an original OEM board temporarily to test functionality.

2. ASF Sensor Issue (Left Side U-Shaped Sensor)

• Location: On the left side of the duplexer.

• Function: Senses the movement of the ASF rod and paper feed status.

• Potential Problems:

  • Sensor board is loose or misaligned.

  • Sensor is missing entirely (especially in DTF-modified printers).

  • Malfunction due to dust, wear, or poor calibration.

Fix Tips:

• Look for a small black U-shaped sensor mounted on its own PCB.

• Ensure that it’s not damaged, loose, or misaligned.

• Confirm that the ASF rod actually passes through the sensor as expected during operation.

3. Aftermarket Driver Board Compatibility Issues

If your L1800 has been converted for DTF or otherwise modified with a non-Epson mainboard, these boards often skip essential feedback circuits, including the ASF motor and sensor controls.

Fix Tips:

• Double-check jumper settings, firmware overrides, or sensor bypasses.

• Revert temporarily to a stock board to confirm if the issue is rooted in hardware or firmware miscommunication.

• If no physical issue is found with the motor or sensor, the custom board itself may be to blame.

Key Insight: It’s a Hardware Error, Not a Software One

The 0x54 PF/ASF Reset Error cannot be fixed by a firmware reset, driver reinstall, or Epson maintenance tool. These are hardware-triggered errors that occur when the logic board fails to detect a successful initialization sequence between the ASF motor and sensor.

In other words, if the hardware doesn’t "talk" to the board correctly—either due to broken connections, mismatched components, or firmware confusion—the printer will stop with flashing ink and paper lights as a fail-safe mechanism.

Repair & Diagnostic Support

Dealing with printer issues like this can be particularly challenging due to their hands-on nature. That’s why we are unfortunately unable to offer remote troubleshooting or guided support for mechanical printer failures.

However, BCH Technologies provides in-person printer repair services through our diagnostic facility:
printer repair service
(https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service)

We operate on a first-come, first-served basis due to high demand, so please expect a waiting period before we can inspect your machine. Our repair options cover both full printer overhauls and targeted part replacements.

That said, we understand that our rates may not fit all budgets. If you prefer DIY repair, we highly recommend starting with some online research. Check out our BCH Technologies YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) for helpful videos.

Use the search icon located next to the "About" section on our YouTube page to find videos specific to ASF errors, L1800 paper feed issues, or mechanical diagnostics. Given that we’ve posted videos for nearly a decade, direct searches tend to work better than asking for specific links.

YouTube may also suggest helpful content from other trusted creators, giving you even more insight.

Thanks again for reaching out, and we truly value your trust in BCH Technologies. Your continued engagement motivates us to keep offering reliable, detailed guidance for complex printer issues like this one.