How to Fix a Burnt Printhead or Cable Issue on an Epson L1800 or Similar Printer

Question:
My printer suddenly stopped printing white. I performed regular maintenance, including a deep cleaning and manual cleaning of the printhead, capping station, and the small white manifold. However, after reassembling everything, the printer still wouldn't print white. When I pulled the printhead out to check the cable, I saw a bit of smoke, and the cable tab looked slightly burnt. Procolored told me I need a new printhead and motherboard. What should I do?

Answer:

In your case, the burnt area and the smoke you noticed are signs of an electrical short in the printhead circuit or ribbon cable. Once a short occurs, it often damages multiple components - particularly the printhead, the FFC (Flat Flexible Cable), and sometimes the mainboard (motherboard).

When the printhead stops printing a specific color (in this case, white), it's usually due to a clog or ink flow issue. However, if you saw smoke, the problem has progressed from a simple clog to an electrical failure. This happens when residual ink or moisture bridges the connection between the cable pins, creating a short circuit. The burnt mark confirms that the cable and possibly the printhead's internal circuit have been compromised.

Here's what you can do:

1. Replace the Printhead - Unfortunately, a printhead that has burned or shorted internally cannot be repaired. A new printhead is required.

2. Replace the FFC Cable - Even if the burn mark appears minor, a damaged ribbon cable can cause repeated shorts. We recommend replacing it with a new one, such as the Printhead FFC Bundle Combo for Epson L1800/1390/1400/1410/1430 (https://bchtechnologies.com/products/printhead-ffc-bundle-combo-for-epson-l-1800-1390-1400-1410-1430-r260-r270-r360-13x2-9-pin?_pos=5&_sid=d1d4444ed&_ss=r).

3. Inspect or Repair the Mainboard - Even if the board looks fine, the short may have damaged the printhead driver IC (integrated circuit). At BCH Technologies, we offer a mainboard repair service for $75, where we replace or repair the damaged circuitry.

If you're handy and have experience with electronics, you can inspect the board for burnt components or smell near the printhead connectors. However, be cautious-further damage can occur if a burnt printhead or cable is reinstalled.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, 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 your printer can be dropped off. Our services are designed to repair either an entire printer or specific parts, with clear steps on how to proceed. While our rates may not be the lowest, we encourage self-help through online research - starting with our YouTube channel's homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). You can use the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar to locate videos on printhead issues, cable replacement, or board repair.

Thank you again for contacting us and for your continued support. We truly appreciate your trust in BCH Technologies and are glad to help you navigate these technical challenges.