How to Fix Printhead Not Printing After Installation on an Epson DTF Printer

Question:
I recently installed a new printhead on my Epson DTF printer. The printer powers on and appears to function normally. I ran a nozzle check and head cleaning, but nothing printed. When I tried to print a design, only faint traces appeared on the film. I've pulled ink from the lines and from the waste tank-it seems fine, but I still can't get any good output. What could be wrong?

Answer:

When you install a new Epson printhead, it often contains shipping fluid from the manufacturer. This thick fluid protects the nozzles during transport but cannot be flushed out by regular printing or standard cleaning cycles. As a result, ink won't flow properly through the nozzles at first.

Step 1: Perform a Park and Prime

You'll need to park and prime the printhead to help it start drawing ink correctly:

1. Power on the printer and allow the printhead to move into its normal parked position on the capping station. It's safe to do this with the power on.

2. Attach a syringe and tube to the waste ink line on the printer's capping station.

3. Gently draw 2 ml of air first, then slowly draw 4-6 ml of ink.

   • If you only draw air, it means the printhead isn't parked correctly, or the capping station seal is leaking.

   • If you feel strong resistance and can't draw anything, the capping station may be clogged and must be cleaned or replaced before proceeding.

4. When done correctly, you might hear a light "crinkle" sound from the dampers, which means the nozzles are opening and ink is flowing.

5. Once you finish, hold at the 2 ml mark for about 10 seconds, then release.

6. Run a standard cleaning cycle using your printer's utility-but do not perform multiple strong cleanings back-to-back. Allow at least 12 hours of rest between strong cleanings to avoid overflooding the printhead or damaging the pump.

Step 2: Check Ink Flow and Lines

If your printer sat idle while waiting for the new printhead, dried ink could be blocking the ink lines or dampers.

• Inspect the dampers: If they're filled with bubbles or uneven ink, consider replacing them.

• Flush white ink lines: Since white DTF ink tends to settle and thicken faster, remove the white ink and flush the line with distilled water. This allows you to check for clogs or discoloration. Replace any tubing if necessary.

Also, make sure the waste line and capping station pad are clean and sealing properly, as any air leak will interrupt suction during cleaning cycles.

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, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer in-person evaluation and repair services through our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given high demand, repairs are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before your printer can be examined. Our services include both full printer repairs and specific component servicing, with clear next-step instructions.

However, since professional repair can be costly, we recommend exploring self-help resources online, beginning with our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). You can use the search icon next to "About" on the channel menu to find tutorials by topic. We have hundreds of videos from nearly a decade of experience, so this method is the fastest way to locate relevant content. YouTube may also suggest other creators' videos that can help you troubleshoot similar issues.

Thank you again for reaching out to us. We truly appreciate your patience and continued support for BCH Technologies.