Troubleshooting Epson L1800 Printer Issues: No Printing & Halfway Prints

Question:

I have two Epson L1800 printers, one not printing at all. I inspected the main board, used new printhead cables, and cleaned the printhead, but it won’t print. But it performs the cycle for correctly cleaning the (ink) printhead. My other L1800 printer has a different issue—it quits printing midway through a job. I followed all the instructions and watched YouTube videos (I’m a Gold Member); however, I still haven’t been able to fix it. What could be the issue?

Answer:

Error number 1: Epson L1800 printer not working at all

If the printhead cleaning cycle runs fine on your printer but it does not print, the problem is very likely in the communication between the printhead and the mainboard. Here’s what you should check:

Recheck the Printhead’s FFC (Flat Easily Portable Cables)

• Verify the printhead ribbon cables are connected securely and are not reversed.
• Look closely at all the cable connectors for oxidation or tiny tears. The slightest damage can cause signals to stop changing.
• You have two L1800 printers, so swap the cables and check if the fault follows the wires.

Check the Condition of the Printhead

• This is why even clean tops may leave nozzles blocked internally, stopping ink from flowing.
• If not, use a cleaning solution and a syringe to flush the printhead manually. If you encounter significant resistance, the printhead may be jammed for good and cannot be cleaned.
• Printheads are interchangeable so switch the printhead from the two printers and check if the issue is due to the printhead or something else.

The Mainboard Print Signal Problem

The mainboard may not send print signals if the printhead and cables function correctly. Possible causes include:

• A blown fuse on the mainboard that prevents power from reaching the printhead.
• Failed MOSFET transistor that is responsible for controlling the firing of ink.
• Electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage can happen when you touch components.
• If you don't have a spare mainboard, swapping to the other mainboard and checking if the fault follows should only take a few minutes. This should confirm if that is the issue.

Check the Ink Supply System for Air Bubbles

• If you employ a Continuous Ink Supply System (CISS), air bubbles in the ink tubes may impede ink flow to the printhead.
• Inspect the dampers for clogs — if ink isn’t moving freely, they should probably be replaced.

Problem #2: Epson L1800 Printer Stops Printing Halfway

The following factors could be responsible if your second L1800 stop printing midway:

• Overheating of the Printhead or Problems in Power Supply
• Certain Epson printers stop printing until the printhead has cooled down to prevent damage.
• A failing power supply unit (PSU) could be the culprit, causing power interruptions and unexpectedly severing the print job.

If you have access, try exchanging the PSU with another known working printer to see if the problem persists.

Blockages in the ink flow or clogged dampers

• Dampers regulate ink flow to the printhead. If they've been clogged a little, ink might begin to flow but cease during printing.
• Replace the dampers and print a test.

Firmware or Driver Issues

• Make sure you have the most recent driver installed.
• Modifying the firmware settings for DTF printing or other custom uses might help reset the printer firmware settings to the factory.

Encoder Strip that is dirty or misaligned

• The answer is the encoder strip (a clear plastic strip behind the printhead carriage), which allows the printer to track movement.
• If dirty or misaligned, the printer can lose positional accuracy and stop printing at an unexpected point.
• Once the strip is clean, wipe the strip with isopropyl alcohol and use a lint-free cloth to clean it.

Next Steps and Further Support

Since you’ve already followed our YouTube troubleshooting guides and done a great job diagnosing the issue. If all else fails, get deeper hardware-level diagnosis

Printer issues can often be a much more abstract undertaking owing to the hands-on manner of challenges faced. So unfortunately, we are unable to remote troubleshoot, suggest, or support printer repairs. We provide an on-site diagnostic and repair service through our local diagnostic center:

➡ BCH Printer Repair Service [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service].

Due to high demand, we can only accommodate on a first come, first served basis. Getting your printer to drop off may take a few weeks. So our services are divided into categories, whether we have to repair the complete printer or only part of it, it's easy to follow. Of course, we recognize that our rates are not the most affordable. We strongly advise that you seek self-help through online research. You can check it out via YouTube or by visiting the front page of our YouTube channel:

➡ YouTube BCH Technologies Channel [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies].

The search icon next to “About” on the right-hand side of the menu bar allows you to search for specific videos. Daily, dozens of questions ask if I have a video of a particular topic. It's overwhelming; having made videos for nine years, I can't remember every single video. So, using YouTube's search function would be the most efficient. Samsung also provides access to relevant videos from other YouTube channels that can help you.

Thank you for reading. Hopefully, the steps above will get your Epson L1800 printers up and working again. If you need further assistance, feel free to reach out!