How to Fix Red Ink Light, Paper Light, and Waste Ink Tank Issues on Epson L1800

Question:
My Epson L1800 recently displayed a waste ink tank problem, so I replaced the tank. Now, the red ink light remains on, the printer won’t print, the printhead is stuck over the waste ink area, and I hear a grinding noise from that region. The paper light is also on. What could be causing this, and how can I fix it?

Answer:

When your Epson L1800 shows both the red ink light and the paper light after replacing the waste ink tank, along with a jammed printhead and grinding noises, this typically points to two issues happening at once:

1. Waste Ink Counter Not Reset
   The original waste ink problem likely occurred because the printer’s internal waste ink counter reached its limit—a safeguard that halts printing until it’s reset. Replacing the tank does not automatically reset this counter. For the L1800, you’ll need to run the Epson Adjustment Program or an authorized reset utility to clear the waste ink pad counter. Without this reset, the printer will continue to flash the red ink light and block printing.

2. Mechanical Obstruction or Capping Station Issue
   The printhead being stuck over the waste ink tank and the grinding noise suggest that the pump assembly or capping station may be stuck or misaligned. This can happen if the new waste ink tank wasn’t seated correctly or if a hose, spring, or lever was accidentally displaced during installation. If the capping station is jammed in the raised position, the printhead carriage can’t move freely, and the motor’s attempt to move it will produce grinding sounds.

3. Paper Light Triggering from Multiple Faults
   On many Epson models, the firmware may interpret combined carriage errors and waste ink counter errors as dual faults, causing both lights to illuminate at the same time.

Step-by-Step Checks and Fixes:

• Power Off & Inspect:
  Unplug the printer, open the cover, and carefully inspect the waste ink area for loose hoses, springs, or levers.

• Check Waste Tank Position:
  Ensure the waste ink tank is firmly seated and that the drainage tube is straight and not kinked.

• Carriage Movement Test:
  Gently slide the printhead carriage by hand to see if it moves freely—never force it. Look for dried ink chunks or small debris blocking its path.

• Reset the Waste Ink Counter:
  Once mechanical issues are clear, reconnect the printer and perform a waste ink pad counter reset using the proper service utility for your model.

• Listen for Grinding:
  If noise continues after clearing obstructions, inspect the capping station gears, pump motor, and sensor flags. Worn or damaged parts may require replacement.

Helpful Video Resources:

• Screeching/Grinding Noise: Video 1 (https://youtu.be/MjArYM-QnfU), Video 2 (https://youtu.be/TNOG_1TtN6g)

• Capping Station Maintenance & Repairs:

  • Removing & Installing Capping Station (https://youtu.be/_cZEkmgIZYc)

  • Unclogging the Capping Station (https://youtu.be/WbY_6O1-w2c)

  • General Capping Station Maintenance (https://youtu.be/5yjq3ZN0qv8)

  • Repairing the Capping Station (https://youtu.be/5UC2IMu9V90)

  • Rewiring Capping Station Tubes (https://youtu.be/J9im3s8UJfo)

• In-Depth Guide: Full breakdown, gear-by-gear reassembly tutorial for L1800/1390/Artisan 1430/1400 available here (https://bchtechnologies.com/products/video-capping-station-assemble-disassemble-guide-for-l1800-1390-artisan-1430-and-1400).

Addressing printer issues can be tricky because they often require hands-on inspection and repair. That’s why we can’t provide remote troubleshooting or repair services. However, we do offer in-person diagnostics and repairs at our local service center (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). We operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it may take a few weeks after drop-off before work begins. Our services can cover either complete printer repairs or specific part replacements. While our rates may not be the lowest, we encourage self-repair enthusiasts to research solutions online—starting with our YouTube channel homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) using the search function for targeted videos.

Thank you again for your question and continued support. Customers like you inspire us to keep producing high-quality technical resources for the printer repair community.