Troubleshooting the Epson ET-8550 Sublimation Printer: Roller and Power Issues

Question

I converted my Epson ET-8550 into a sublimation printer. While printing, some paper got jammed badly, and one of the printer rollers on one side popped off. I read online that the rollers might not be necessary, so I removed the other side too. After that, I started getting an error that the printer couldn’t print. I was frustrated and stepped away for a month, but now the printer won't even power on. I tried removing the casing to inspect the problem but couldn’t find anything wrong. I am comfortable doing maintenance myself but need guidance on how to fix it. Do you offer walkthroughs or support for fixing this issue, and how much would it cost?

Answer

Regarding your issue with the Epson ET-8550 sublimation printer, it sounds like you are referring to the star wheel rather than a typical roller. It is technically possible to remove the star wheel; however, doing so can cause complications if not done correctly. Beneath the star wheel, there are a few springs that help keep the mechanism aligned. If these springs are not carefully managed, they can dislodge and jam the gears around the wheel, potentially causing movement issues or errors.

Steps to Check and Fix the Star Wheel Issue:

1. Inspect for Jammed Springs: Open the area where the star wheel was located and carefully check for any dislodged springs or obstructed gears.

2. Check Gear Alignment: Sometimes, removing the star wheel can cause gears to misalign. Gently realign the gears and test for smooth rotation.

Power Issue Diagnosis: The fact that the printer does not power on at all after being left for a month might indicate that ink has leaked into the printhead and potentially shorted the mainboard. This is one of the more serious issues and could have occurred during the downtime, especially if residual ink made its way through the printer's internal components.

Steps to Diagnose Power Issues:

1. Inspect the Mainboard: Remove the casing and carefully check for any visible ink leaks or signs of electrical damage, such as burned spots or corrosion.

2. Test the Power Supply: Use a multimeter to check voltage from the power adapter and at the mainboard connection to ensure consistent power delivery.

3. Inspect Fuses and Capacitors: On the mainboard, look for blown fuses or bulging capacitors, as these can indicate electrical faults.

If you would like help identifying the problem in more detail or assessing repair difficulty, please reach out to us. We offer both mainboard repairs and full printer repair services, which you can find on our repair services page (https://bchtechnologies.com/collections/printer-repair-service).

Please note that while we do accept mail-in orders for repair, completed printers must be picked up in person as we do not ship them back.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Therefore, we are not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Thus, it might take a few weeks before we can evaluate your printer. Our services cover either the whole printer or specific parts, and we provide clear instructions on how to proceed. While our rates may not be the lowest, we encourage exploring self-help through online resources. Start by visiting YouTube or our YouTube channel's homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies), and use the search function for relevant videos. YouTube may also suggest helpful videos from other channels.

We truly appreciate your continued support and hope this information helps resolve your issue. Please feel free to reach out if you have any more questions.