How to Fix Epson XP-15000 Error Code 031005 After Cleaning the Printhead

Question:
After cleaning the top of my Epson XP-15000 printhead with cleaning solution, my printer started showing error code 031005. What could be the problem?

Answer:

Now, regarding your issue with the Epson XP-15000 error code 031005, this error typically indicates that the carriage motor or printhead assembly is jammed or unable to move freely. It usually occurs after printhead cleaning or maintenance when some residual liquid, moisture, or mechanical blockage interferes with the head's movement or the encoder sensor's ability to read correctly. Let's go over the most common causes and solutions:

1. Moisture or Cleaning Fluid Residue:
   The most common cause after a cleaning session is that cleaning fluid seeped into the encoder strip or the printhead carriage area. The encoder strip is the thin, transparent plastic strip that runs horizontally behind the printhead - it helps the printer track the carriage position. Even a small amount of residue can cause the sensor to misread movement, triggering the 031005 error.
   Solution: Gently wipe the encoder strip with a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water or 99% isopropyl alcohol. Make sure it's completely dry before restarting the printer.

2. Printhead Carriage Obstruction:
   Check that the printhead carriage can slide smoothly from left to right. Sometimes a bit of dried ink, a loose ribbon cable, or an object in the carriage path can block its movement.
   Solution: Power off the printer and manually slide the printhead to ensure it moves freely. If it resists, inspect the rails and surrounding area for debris or misaligned components.

3. Printhead Electrical Short:
   If the cleaning fluid entered the printhead connector area, it could cause a short circuit between the contacts. Epson printheads are extremely sensitive, and fluid inside the connector can cause the printer to fail self-diagnostics, producing error 031005.
   Solution: Disconnect the printer and let it sit in a dry, ventilated area for at least 24 hours. If available, use a hair dryer on a cool setting to help evaporate trapped moisture. If the problem persists, the printhead may need replacement.

4. Ribbon Cable or Encoder Sensor Fault:
   Sometimes the ribbon cable connecting the printhead to the mainboard becomes loose after cleaning. The error may appear if the printer cannot communicate properly with the head.
   Solution: Open the printer carefully and check the ribbon cable connections. Reseat the cable securely, making sure there are no bent pins or contamination on the contacts.

5. Mainboard Protection Trigger:
   If moisture has caused a brief short, the mainboard may have entered a protective lockout mode to prevent further damage.
   Solution: Disconnect the printer from power, remove the ink cartridges, and let it rest overnight. Reconnect everything and try restarting the printer. If the error persists, a board reset or replacement may be needed.

As a final note, it's important to be cautious when applying cleaning solution directly to the top of the printhead. Any oversaturation can allow fluid to leak into the electrical components below. For future maintenance, consider using a printhead cleaning kit designed for the XP-15000 that controls the amount of fluid and pressure applied.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Therefore, we're unable to provide remote troubleshooting or repair support. However, we do offer an in-person diagnostic and repair service through our local repair facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Because of high demand, we work on a first-come, first-served basis, so it may take a few weeks before we can receive your printer. Our services cover both complete printer repairs and individual part replacements, with clear next-step instructions. We understand our rates may not be the lowest, so we highly recommend exploring DIY repair options via online research. You can start with our BCH Technologies YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to "About" on the menu bar to locate videos on XP-15000 cleaning, error codes, and printhead care. After nine years of content creation, this is the fastest way to find exactly what you need - and YouTube may also suggest other helpful repair videos.

Thank you again for reaching out and for your continued trust in BCH Technologies. We truly appreciate your patience and engagement as we work together to keep your printer performing its best.