Troubleshooting Blank Page Issues on Epson ET-15000 Printers Using Eco Solvent Ink: Causes, Fixes & Pro Tips

Customer Question:

I’m using Eco Solvent ink in my Epson ET-15000 printer, but it recently started printing only blank or black pages. I’ve already run multiple printhead cleanings, but the issue persists. What could be causing this, and how can I fix it?

Answer:

 

Why Your Epson ET-15000 Prints Only Black or Blank Pages

If your printer outputs nothing on paper after multiple cleanings, this points to a deeper issue than routine clogs. This behavior can stem from:

  1. Severely clogged printhead nozzles are especially common when using Eco Solvent inks, which tend to dry and harden more aggressively than standard dye or pigment inks.

  2. Printhead or pressure system failure – internal components may fail to deliver ink through the nozzles.

  3. Electrical malfunction in the printhead – if the printer “prints” but nothing shows up, there could be an electronic failure.

Let’s go through a comprehensive step-by-step diagnosis process to uncover the real issue.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

1. Inspect Ink Flow in the Tubes

  • Open your ink compartment and examine the lines for all colors.

  • Are they filled with ink? If not, you see air gaps or bubbles, then ink delivery is disrupted.

  • Perform a single strong cleaning—but avoid repeating this step excessively, as it will quickly saturate your waste pad and worsen backpressure.

2. Test for Backpressure via the Capping Station

  • Power off your printer so the printhead parks on the capping station.

  • Use a syringe with tubing attached to the waste line (the tube running from the capping station) and gently draw out about 1.5–2 ml of air:

    • Some resistance = your printhead is sealed well, and ink is attempting to flow.

    • No resistance or just air = cap not sealing or the head not properly seated.

    • Crackling or crinkling sound = damper membranes are active—this is a good sign.

3. Channel-Specific Testing with Cleaning Solution

  • Remove your ink dampers (or cartridges, depending on your setup).

  • Use a syringe with a Luer-lock adapter to inject printhead flush fluid directly into each nozzle port:

    • No resistance = nozzle is open and unclogged.

    • High resistance = significant clog or hardened Eco Solvent ink buildup.

  • BCH Technologies offers specialized printhead flushing kits (https://bchtechnologies.com) for safe manual cleaning.

4. Examine Printhead Electronics and Functionality

  • If your printer acts like it’s printing but only outputs blank pages, the firing circuit in the printhead might be compromised.

  • Especially with solvent inks, electrical shorts or dried residues can burn out printhead channels.

  • If only one color prints or partial output appears, this may indicate a partial printhead failure.

5. Know When to Stop Cleaning

  • Limit yourself to no more than three vigorous cleanings.

  • Continuing beyond that could:

    • Oversaturate the waste pad

    • Damage the printhead with pressure

    • Waste valuable ink

  • If cleaning and flushing do not resolve the issue, the printhead may need to be replaced.


Professional Diagnostic and Repair Options from BCH

We at BCH Technologies treat printers as whole systems, considering the ink flow and the mechanical and electrical integrity of each unit.

You have a few service options:


Important Note About Remote Support

Dealing with printer problems often requires hands-on solutions, which limits our ability to offer remote repairs or one-on-one remote troubleshooting. We offer in-person diagnostic services through our repair facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service), which runs on a first-come, first-served basis due to high demand. While our pricing may not be budget-friendly, the service is structured to cover complete units or specific parts. We always encourage customers to begin with self-guided troubleshooting using trusted online resources.

For targeted video support, please check our YouTube channel homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to the "About" tab to locate topics like “ET-15000 clogs” or “Eco Solvent troubleshooting.” Given that we’ve produced content for nearly a decade, this is the most efficient way to find what you’re looking for—and YouTube may even suggest helpful videos from other creators.