Light and Error Troubleshooting – Epson 1430 Printing Issues

Question:

Print Film Transparencies for Screen Printing with an Epson 1430 and All-Black Ink CIS System. That printer recently began to misbehave — it prints roughly half the page, and then the printhead makes a sound like it’s catching on something. It then completely stops, and two of the lights on the right side of the control panel begin to flash on and off out of sync (ie, both lights are on simultaneously). I’ve read that this means there’s a paper jam, but I’ve already checked the printer and cleaned it out with a can of compressed air. What may be the reason of this issue?

Answer:

Thank you for contacting us. Please excuse the delayed reply. We know printer problems are often urgent, and we aim to give the most thorough and considered advice on troubleshooting them. We at BCH Technologies (https://bchtechnologies.com) thank you for your time, support, and information, particularly on our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Your questions raise our technical expertise, and we can better assist the community.

Now, let us go into the diagnosis of your Epson 1430 problem.

The Flashing Lights Explained: Paper Jam?

Both lights on the right-hand side of the control panel are blinking simultaneously (not alternating), which usually indicates a paper jam or carriage-related problem. However, since you already cleaned the printer, and confirmed that there’s no visible obstruction, then the cause of the problem may be one of the below:

Carriage Path Obstruction or Printhead Snagging on Something

If the printhead sounds like it’s hitting or catching on something before it stops, there may still be an unseen obstruction in the carriage path.

Check the entire printhead path by opening the printer cover and looking for any loose parts, ink buildup, or pieces of paper blocking the way.

Check for rough spots: Move the carriage manually (with the printer powered off) to look for areas where it gets stuck or feels gritty.

CIS System Causing Resistance

On occasion, Continuous Ink Supply Systems (CIS) can generate issues if the tubing is too tight and interferes with the carriage's movement.

Ensure the ink tubing has enough slack when the printhead goes back and forth. If it’s too tight, the carriage may have trouble moving, which can stop printing mid-process.

Encoder Strip Issues

The encoder strip is a clear plastic strip that spans the printer's width behind the printhead. It allows the printer to follow the printhead moving.

A dirty or smudged strip can cause the printer to misread positioning, resulting in misalignment, strange noises or sudden stops.

Clean the encoder strip using a lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol. Do not touch it with your fingers; this can leave oils that make tracking difficult.

Problems With the Carriage Belt or Motor

A loose, worn out or slipping carriage belt may stall the printhead midway through a print job.

The carriage motor could be breaking down too, and we could not drag the printhead diligently.

Listen carefully for any signs that the motor is straining or revving unevenly.

The Problem with Epson’s Adjustment Program

If you want to find out what error codes the printer generates, you can use the Epson Adjustment Program, which will help you obtain those codes. Follow these steps:

Launch Adjustment Program and select your Epson 1430 USB port from the dropdown.

Choose Specific Adjust Mode, scroll down to find Printer Information Check, and select it.

Click Check, and the latest error code will appear at the top.

The error code should tell you what the problem is. Standard error codes include a carriage jam, sensor failure, or an issue with the paper feed.

If you need to know what any secret Epson error code means, Google "BCH Epson Error." This will take you to our page explaining Epson's error code system. Specific error codes are associated with the APG sensor or PF motor failure.

So if you have not used the Epson adjustment program this video guide is for you: Epson Adjustment Program Video (https://youtube.com/shorts/FPZzpyYuZLE)

Need Further Assistance?

Printer problem solving usually involves a hands-on look into the situation, so although we try to give as much telephonic assistance as possible, some situations need on-site freedom. If you cannot troubleshoot the cause of the problem, we provide diagnostic and repair services in our BCH Technologies repair facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). We are in high demand, so repairs will be completed in the order received and/or as we can focus on them, regular wait times apply.

We know that professional repair services may not be the cheapest option. We highly recommend searching YouTube for the solution if you want to fix the issues. If you want a follow-up video on a particular subject, go to our YouTube channel homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) and use the search function on the right side of the "About" Tab.

Thank you once more for contacting us and for your continued patience. We hope this resolves your issue. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to let us know.