How to Fix White and Colored Ink Issues and Ink Splatter in Your Printer

Question:
I'm struggling with my printer. It initially stopped printing white ink. I cleaned the clogged capping station until clear water flowed. After reassembly and head cleaning, only white and black inks were printed; the other colors were dull. After another head clean, ink splattered from the waste area. Even though I've repeatedly cleaned it, I'm still facing splatter issues. I've spent all day trying to fix this—what could be wrong?

Answer:

Based on your detailed description, the following are likely causes and recommended solutions:

1. Air in Ink Lines or Dampers
When you disassemble and clean a printer, air can become trapped in the ink lines or dampers. This trapped air prevents proper ink flow, resulting in faint colors or no output.

Solution:
Use a syringe to carefully pull ink through each damper until no air bubbles remain. Then, conduct a gentle head cleaning—but avoid multiple consecutive cleanings to prevent overflowing the capping station.

2. Back Pressure or Suction Issues Causing Ink Splatter
Ink splatter often indicates improper pressure management—either excessive suction from the waste pump or blockages causing resistance.

Solution:

• Check and clear the waste ink tubing thoroughly by blowing through it.

• Inspect the pump behind the capping station to ensure it operates smoothly and isn't over-suctioning.

• Verify that the cap top seal makes complete, secure contact with the printhead to prevent ink leaks and splatter.

3. Ink Consistency Issues, Particularly with White Ink
White ink, often thicker and prone to settling, can disrupt ink flow and negatively affect the performance of all colors.

Solution:

• Thoroughly shake white ink bottles and stir the ink tanks to ensure consistency.

• Confirm that the white ink isn't excessively thick. If necessary, consider replacing it with fresh ink to maintain smooth flow.

4. Internal Clogging of Printhead Channels
Despite external cleaning, internal printhead filters and channels might still be blocked.

Solution:

• Conduct a targeted flush of each color channel rather than a general rinse.

• Use printhead-specific cleaning solutions to ensure they flow clearly through each channel and remove internal clogs entirely.

Addressing printer issues can be intricate due to their hands-on nature. Consequently, we cannot provide remote troubleshooting, advice, or repairs. However, BCH Technologies offers our local facility comprehensive, in-person diagnostic and repair services. Visit our Printer Repair Service page to learn more. Due to high demand, services are first-come, first-served, and there might be a wait before we can attend to your printer. Although we understand that our pricing may not be the most affordable for everyone, we encourage exploring online resources for self-help solutions. YouTube is a fantastic tool for DIY troubleshooting. Visit our YouTube channel homepage, where you can easily search for your specific printer model or issue by using the search function. This tool efficiently directs you to relevant videos, including those from other helpful channels.