How to Fix Cyan Clogs in the Epson SureColor F570: Effective Troubleshooting for Dye Sublimation Printers

Question:

I’m using an Epson SureColor F570, and my cyan channel is clogged. I’ve tried several solutions, including some cleaning kits from Amazon, but nothing seems to work. Do you have any additional tips or methods I can try?

Answer:

Understanding the F570 and Its Common Clog Problems

The Epson SureColor F570 is a dye-sublimation printer that utilizes heat-sensitive ink, designed explicitly for high-resolution transfer printing. One of its strengths is consistent output—until, of course, a clog forms in the printhead. Cyan clogs are particularly problematic, as this color channel appears to be more prone to crystallization or settling in specific environments.

The good news is that clogs in dye sublimation printers are often reversible, although you must exercise caution. In some cases, what appears to be a clog is permanent printhead damage, especially if harsh chemicals have been introduced or the printhead has overheated.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting and Maintenance Tips

Here are the best practices we recommend:

1. Software-Driven Cleaning Cycles

Begin with standard cleaning cycles through the Epson printer software. However, avoid running these back-to-back. Give the printer a few minutes between cycles to avoid overheating the head and wasting ink.

2. Inspect the Capping Station and Waste Line

Park the printhead over the capping station, then use a syringe to gently pull about 2ml of air through the waste line. This test helps determine if the nozzles are open:

• Slight resistance = likely partial clog.

• No resistance or total blockage = severe clog or damage.

This method helps prevent over-flushing and can pinpoint where the issue lies.

3. Soak the Printhead (Safely)

For stubborn clogs, apply a printhead cleaning solution to the capping station pad and let the printhead sit overnight. This allows the solution to loosen dried dye particles without risking printhead damage.

Be cautious—never force liquid into the nozzles unless you're highly experienced. Pushing fluid in the wrong way can rupture the microchannels inside the head.

4. Avoid Cheap Amazon Cleaning Kits

Some aftermarket kits contain aggressive chemicals not designed for dye inks. These can cause swelling or etching inside the printhead, making the clog worse or permanent. Always ensure your cleaning solution is formulated specifically for dye sublimation printers.

5. Environmental Conditions Matter

Dye inks can crystallize if exposed to cold, humidity, or long periods of inactivity. Try to maintain your printer in a climate-controlled environment and run a small print once every few days if not in regular use.

When to Suspect Printhead Damage

If after several soakings and gentle air pulls, you still see no improvement in nozzle checks—particularly if the same nozzles are missing—it’s a strong indicator that the nozzles may be permanently clogged or damaged. At that point, replacement might be the only long-term solution.

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 we can get your printer to drop it 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. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be most efficient. Plus, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.

Thank you again for your question and for being part of the BCH Technologies community. We’re grateful for your support, and we’ll keep doing our best to help you—and all our subscribers—get the most out of your printing experience.