How to Fix a Disconnected Waste Tube on Your Epson Printer's Capping Station

Customer Question:

I need help—my printer won’t print. While working on it, I removed the cap from the capping station, and now one of the waste ink tubes has come loose. I can’t seem to get it back in place. What should I do?

Answer:

Understanding the Problem:

From your description, it sounds like you were working on the capping station and inadvertently dislodged one of the waste ink catheters (tubes) that carry ink away from the printhead and into the waste ink pad or tank. Once these tubes are disconnected, ink cannot be adequately suctioned or drained, which prevents printing, triggers maintenance errors, and, in some models, eventually triggers service codes.

Reinstalling these tubes can be challenging, especially without a clear view of the internal routing or access to the correct channel where they should be reattached.

Video Resources for Capping Station Repair and Tube Reattachment:

We’ve created several video tutorials that walk through repairs related to the capping station, tube routing, and maintenance. Here’s a collection of resources that can help:

Removing & Installing the Capping Station:

This video demonstrates how to remove and reinstall the capping station. Although it doesn’t cover opening the entire printer case, it provides a good overview of the reassembly process.
▶ Watch here (https://youtu.be/_cZEkmgIZYc)

Unclogging the Capping Station:

If the capping station is clogged and not creating a seal, this video shows you how to clean it thoroughly.
▶ Watch here (https://youtu.be/WbY_6O1-w2c)

Capping Station Maintenance Tips:

For general upkeep that helps avoid future problems with tubes or suction loss.
▶ Watch here (https://youtu.be/5yjq3ZN0qv8)

Troubleshooting & Repairing the Capping Station:

A good resource if the capping station isn’t functioning correctly. It includes several tube-related issues.
▶ Watch here (https://youtu.be/5UC2IMu9V90)

Rewiring or Replacing Waste Ink Tubes:

If your waste tubes are clogged or disconnected (as in your case), this video explains how to rewire and reroute them properly.
▶ Watch here (https://youtu.be/J9im3s8UJfo)

In-Depth Guide for Capping Station Rebuild:

We also offer an exclusive full breakdown video on our website that shows how to completely disassemble and reassemble the capping station down to individual gears, valves, and tubes. This can be extremely helpful if you're rebuilding or performing a full diagnostic on models like the Epson L1800, R1390, Artisan 1430, or 1400.
Capping Station Assembly/Disassembly Guide
https://bchtechnologies.com/products/video-capping-station-assemble-disassemble-guide-for-l1800-1390-artisan-1430-and-1400

If you’re also hearing unusual screeching sounds during operation, these might be symptoms of mechanical misalignment or capping station gears binding. We have videos on diagnosing that as well:
▶ Screeching Sound Fix – Part 1 (https://youtu.be/MjArYM-QnfU)
▶ Screeching Sound Fix – Part 2 (https://youtu.be/TNOG_1TtN6g)

Just a heads-up: Printer repairs like these often require direct inspection and hands-on work. That’s why we’re unable to offer remote troubleshooting or repair coaching. If you need additional help, we invite you to use our in-person diagnostic and repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Note that we handle repairs on a first-come, first-served basis, and due to high demand, the wait time may be a few weeks. We’re equipped to handle full printers or individual components, but please keep in mind that our service pricing may not fit every budget. That’s why we always encourage DIY solutions when possible, especially by using online resources. For video help, our YouTube channel homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) is a great place to start—use the search icon to find content by printer model or symptom.

Thanks again for reaching out and for trusting BCH Technologies as your go-to repair and ink resource. We wish you the best in getting your printer up and running again!