InkSonic R1390 Printer Carriage Stuck at Capping Station with Fast Blinking Red Light: How to Check Epson Error Codes and Diagnose the Problem

Question

I have an InkSonic R1390 printer. After installing a new printhead, new printhead cables, and a new motherboard, the capping station stopped working properly. When I turn the printer on, the carriage moves to the capping station like normal, then stops. After that, the red light starts blinking quickly, and the carriage gets stuck. I have to release it manually from behind the capping station using the small white gears.

Tech support suggested replacing the capping station, so I installed a new one, but the printer is still doing the exact same thing. I have cleaned everything that needs to be cleaned, adjusted the printhead height, and tried almost everything I can think of. What should I check next?

Answer

Based on your description, the printer powers on, the carriage moves toward the capping station, then stops, the red light starts blinking quickly, and the carriage becomes locked near the capping area. Since you already replaced the printhead, printhead cables, motherboard, and capping station, I would not continue replacing parts blindly. The next step is to get the actual stored Epson error code from the printer. That code will tell us which system the printer thinks is failing.

For an Epson R1390-based DTF printer such as an InkSonic R1390, the fastest way to identify the problem is to use the Epson Adjustment Program. This is a service utility normally used by Epson technicians, but many DTF printer sellers also provide it to customers because these converted printers are based on Epson platforms.

Open the Epson Adjustment Program and select the correct USB port from the dropdown menu. Make sure the port shows your printer's name or the correct connected Epson/R1390 device. After that, choose "Particular Adjustment Mode," then scroll through the list and select "Printer Information Check." Click "Check." The software should show the most recent error history, with the newest error listed at the top as error number one.

That first error code is the most important one. The red blinking light only tells us the printer has entered an error state; it does not tell us exactly why. The Adjustment Program can reveal whether the printer is detecting a carriage movement error, APG sensor error, ASF/PF motor issue, CR motor issue, home-position problem, capping station lock issue, paper feed problem, or another sensor-related failure.

Once you have the error code, you can search Google for "BCH Epson Error." That should lead you to our page explaining Epson's "Triple Secret Error Codes," where we discuss how to interpret many of these service-level Epson errors. These codes are much more useful than the general red-light behavior because they point you toward the specific section of the printer that triggered the shutdown.

For a quick video walkthrough showing how to check the printer error using the Adjustment Program, you can watch our short video here: How to Check Epson Printer Error Codes with the Adjustment Program [https://youtube.com/shorts/FPZzpyYuZLE].

From the symptoms you described, one possible area to investigate is the APG system. APG stands for Auto Platen Gap. On Epson printers, the APG mechanism helps control or detect the printhead height/platen gap position. If the APG sensor, APG motor, APG gears, or related mechanism is not in the correct position, the printer may move the carriage, detect that something is wrong, and then stop with a fast blinking red light. Sometimes people adjust the printhead height or platen gap manually, but the printer's sensor still does not agree with the mechanical position. In that case, the printer can lock up even though the capping station itself is new.

Another possibility is a carriage movement or home-position error. When the printer starts, it expects the carriage to move freely and return to known positions. If the carriage is physically blocked by the capping station, wiper assembly, pump lock, waste ink tube, or a misaligned part, the printer may stop and blink. Since you are having to release the carriage manually using the small white gears behind the capping station, I would carefully inspect whether the capping station is sitting too high, installed slightly out of position, or failing to release at the correct time. Even a new capping station can cause the same problem if the mounting position, gear timing, or engagement point is wrong.

I would also check the carriage lock mechanism. The carriage is normally locked at the capping station when the printer is off or parked. During startup, the printer should release that lock and allow the carriage to move. If the lock lever, pump gear timing, or capping station gear train is not synchronized correctly, the printer may try to move the carriage while it is still mechanically locked. That can create the exact symptom you described: carriage moves into the capping area, stops, red light blinks rapidly, and the carriage has to be freed manually.

Since a new motherboard was installed, also double-check every cable connection. A reversed, crooked, loose, or damaged flat cable can cause sensor readings to fail. Pay close attention to the carriage motor cable, paper feed motor cable, sensor cables, capping station/pump-related connections if present, and any cables near the printhead carriage. The printhead cables are especially important because a bad or misaligned printhead cable can damage the motherboard or cause startup errors. Always power off and unplug the printer before reseating cables.

The printhead height adjustment is another area to revisit. If the printhead or carriage is sitting too low, it may physically drag, hit the capping station, or fail to clear the cap top properly. If it is too high or uneven, the APG mechanism or sensor may report an invalid position. Make sure the carriage can move smoothly by hand when the printer is powered off and unlocked. It should not scrape, bind, or catch near the capping station.

Also inspect the encoder strip and encoder sensor. The transparent encoder strip behind the carriage tells the printer where the carriage is. If it is dirty, scratched, installed incorrectly, or not seated through the encoder sensor properly, the printer may lose track of the carriage position and stop during initialization. Use caution when cleaning it, because the strip is delicate. A contaminated encoder sensor on the carriage can also cause the printer to misread carriage movement.

The timing of the white gears near the capping station is important too. If the capping station gears, pump gears, or release mechanism are not aligned correctly, the printer can get stuck even with a brand-new capping station. The printer may be trying to initialize, but the mechanical timing is not matching what the motor and sensors expect. This is one reason why the error code is so important. Without the code, the capping station, APG system, CR motor system, and sensor system can all look suspicious.

If the Adjustment Program reports an APG-related error, focus on the APG sensor, APG motor, APG gears, platen gap position, and whether the carriage height mechanism is correctly seated. If it reports a CR motor or carriage error, focus on carriage movement, encoder strip, carriage lock, obstruction near the capping station, and motor/cable connections. If it reports a PF or paper feed-related error, inspect the paper feed mechanism, rollers, motor, and any jammed gears. If it reports a general fatal error, then the error history and mechanical inspection will be needed together to narrow it down.

At this point, I would not assume the replacement capping station is defective simply because the same symptom remains. It may be a timing, sensor, installation, APG, or carriage-lock issue rather than the capping station part itself. The printer is stopping because something in the startup sequence is not matching what the mainboard expects. The Adjustment Program error code is the best next step because it tells us which part of that startup sequence failed.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair because many of these problems require hands-on inspection and testing. For that reason, we are not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or direct support for printer repairs beyond general educational guidance. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility: BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]. Due to high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it may take a few weeks before we can get your printer in for drop-off or evaluation. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we understand that our rates are not always the most economical option. Therefore, we strongly recommend using self-help resources and online research whenever possible. You can start by checking YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel homepage: BCH Technologies on YouTube [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. On our channel page, use the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar to search for specific videos. I receive dozens of questions every day asking about videos for specific repair topics, and after creating videos for the past nine years, it is difficult to remember every single one. Using YouTube's search function is usually the most efficient way to find the right video. YouTube may also suggest related videos from other channels that could help with your repair.

Thank you again for contacting us and for explaining the full repair history. Since several major parts have already been replaced, the next useful step is to read the actual Epson service error code with the Adjustment Program. That code will give you a much clearer direction than replacing another part based only on the blinking red light.