Troubleshooting USB Connection Issues on Epson L1800 Modified Printers

Question:

I have an Epson L1800 mod printer, which was running alright for the last four years. This happened recently, the machine does not recognize the USB port. Indeed, the printer works typically through its keyboard, so functions like head cleaning work just fine. [It appears in Device Manager – everything is fine, but it looks like a dead USB port; it is not.] We have attempted many fixes: printing with a different mainboard (multiple replacements), testing different power supplies and even changing printer positions, but the issue keeps returning. Are there any hints about the problem?

Answer:

The fact that you said multiple mainboards showed the same issue with the USB connection implies that the issue lies outside the mainboard. Here are some troubleshooting tips that can help diagnose and fix the problem:

Possible Causes and Fixes

Try with Another Computer

If you haven’t already, try connecting the printer to an entirely different computer—ideally one that has never been connected to this printer. This will help eliminate driver conflicts, Windows-related issues, and USB power management settings on your first computer.

Check USB Power Management Settings

Windows also turns off USB ports when it goes to sleep to save power, which may result in the computer not finding the printer. To turn off USB power management, do the following:

Open Device Manager (Press Win + X → Device Manager).

Open Universal Serial Bus Controllers.

Find USB Root Hub, right-click it, and choose Properties.

Open the Power Management tab and uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”

Do this for every USB Root Hub there.

Try a Different USB Cable and Port

Issues with a USB cable, or a worn out port could interrupt this connection intermittently. Try the following:

Try a new high-quality USB cable.

Try a different USB port on your computer.

Never connect USB hubs, unless they are externally powered.

Look Out for Electrical Interference

However, with it still being an issue now that the mainboard has changed, I believe environmental factors may be in play. Consider:

Static discharge: Verify proper grounding of the printer.

Voltage spikes: Use a surge protector.

High-powered devices nearby: Move the printer away from any devices that could disrupt USB connectivity.

Try a Powered USB Hub

A powered USB hub may stabilize the connection if your USB port doesn’t provide the printer enough power.

Reinstall Windows (Last Resort)

One user who has run into a similar problem said that Windows itself installed as a last resort solved it. You can read about Ryan’s experience in his review of our product on our product page (https://bchtechnologies.com/products/no-return-epson-mainboard-for-l-1800-dtf-dtg-printers-formatter-motherboard?_pos=20&_sid=a18091bc3&_ss=r). After following our advice and reinstalling Windows, the issue was finally resolved, and his review was updated to 5 stars (previously, it was 1 star, after four failed fixes)

Additional Support

Printer malfunctioning issues can be tricky, as they rely on the user's hands-on experience. We cannot offer remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer fixes. We repair printers at our local diagnostic facility, and you can read more about that here: BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Because of the increased request, repairs are first-come, first-served, which means it may take weeks before we can schedule your printer for a drop-off.

We advise looking online for self-help troubleshooting. We recommend searching our BCH Technologies YouTube Channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies), using the search icon beside the "About" section, for particular videos related to your printer connectivity problems. YouTube may also recommend other creator videos related to your issue.

We look forward to your continued support. These steps help you troubleshoot and fix the issue. If you find a fix, please let us know how!