How to Fix Epson P900 Continuous Head Cleaning After Power Outage

Question:
I have an Epson P900 printer that was on when a power outage occurred. After the power came back and I turned the printer on, it started an endless head cleaning cycle that wouldn't stop. I eventually turned it off after about 10 minutes of continuous cleaning. Has anyone experienced this before, and what can I do to fix it?

Answer:

Now, regarding your Epson P900 that's stuck in a continuous head cleaning loop after a power outage, this is likely a firmware or memory corruption issue rather than a mechanical fault. The sudden power loss may have interrupted the printer's internal process, leaving the firmware or EEPROM (the printer's memory chip) in a corrupted state. Let's go through some detailed steps and options for recovery.

1. Restart the Printer and Attempt a Firmware Reset

First, disconnect the printer completely from power for at least 10 minutes. This allows any residual voltage to discharge, which can sometimes reset minor firmware lockups.
After reconnecting power, hold down the following buttons to enter service or recovery mode (depending on your model's key layout):

• Hold down the power button + pause button + paper feed button (consult your service manual if these differ).

• The screen may show a "Firmware Update" or "Recovery Mode" message.

Once in this mode, the printer waits for firmware data to be reinstalled from your computer.

2. Reinstall or Recover the Firmware

Download the official Epson recovery firmware for your model from Epson's support site. The firmware recovery tool overwrites the damaged firmware section with a clean copy.

Steps:

1. Install the firmware recovery utility on your computer.

2. Connect the printer via USB (not Wi-Fi).

3. Run the utility and follow the prompts to reinstall the firmware.

4. After completion, restart the printer normally.

If the firmware reinstall doesn't work or the printer doesn't exit the cleaning cycle, proceed to the next option.

3. Roll Back or Rewrite the Firmware Using WICReset

If the printer firmware update has failed or caused incompatibility, you can use WICReset software to roll it back or reinitialize it.

• Visit WICReset.com (https://www.wicreset.com).

• Download and install the software.

• Connect your Epson P900 and open the program.

• Use the "Recover Firmware" or "Upload Firmware" option.

WICReset supports custom firmware restoration and can often bypass startup errors caused by corrupted firmware loops.

4. Repair or Replace the EEPROM (Memory Chip)

If both firmware recovery and reset methods fail, the issue may lie in the EEPROM memory chip-a small non-volatile memory component that stores your printer's configuration data, ink counters, and system state. When this chip gets corrupted during a power interruption, the printer may repeatedly attempt cleaning or fail to initialize properly.

You can try one of the following advanced options:

• Option A: Binary Dump Reprogramming
  Search for a binary dump file (use the keywords: "bin dump Epson P900" or check bchtechnologies.com (https://bchtechnologies.com)). This file is a clean copy of your printer's EEPROM data.

  • Build or purchase an EEPROM programmer (available on Amazon).

  • Remove the EEPROM chip from the printer's mainboard and use the programmer to write the dump file back into the chip.

• Option B: Replace the EEPROM Chip
  If reprogramming doesn't work, replace the chip entirely. These are inexpensive but require careful soldering or use of a chip socket.

Once replaced, the printer should reinitialize normally and exit the head cleaning loop.

5. Prevent Future Firmware Corruption

To minimize the risk of similar issues:

• Always use a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) or surge protector with your printer.

• Avoid turning the printer off mid-cleaning cycle.

• Regularly update firmware from official Epson sources, but avoid doing so during unstable power conditions.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Therefore, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting or in-depth support for printer repairs. We do, however, offer in-person evaluation and repair services through our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and it might take a few weeks before your printer can be serviced. We handle both full printer repairs and individual part replacements, with clear guidance on how to proceed.

For self-help, we encourage you to explore our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon beside "About" on the menu bar to find videos related to your model, firmware recovery, or Epson maintenance procedures. Having created hundreds of tutorials over the years, YouTube's search function remains the most efficient way to locate the exact video you need.

Thank you again for reaching out and for supporting BCH Technologies. Your patience and curiosity help us continue creating reliable, detailed resources for printer owners worldwide.