Why Is My Epson L1800 Printing Yellow and Faded After a Few Pages? Common Causes and Fixes

Customer's Question :

I've been using an Epson L1800 EcoTank, and lately, it has been printing perfectly on the first or second page. However, after that, the prints lose color, turning yellowish and faded. Can I bring the printer in for a repair? I'm located in Stokesdale, NC, and I’d like to know how to prepare the machine for drop-off.

Answer:

Understanding the Issue: Yellow and Faded Prints After Initial Pages

From your description, your Epson L1800 EcoTank initially works well for the first one or two prints, but then starts losing color, resulting in faded and yellowish output. This is a common symptom of ink supply interruption, particularly in the color channels.

Probable Cause: Ink Supply System Failure

When printers behave this way, it's usually because of one or more of the following:

1. Air Bubbles or Blockages in the Ink Lines:
   As the printer runs, air can accumulate in the ink tubes, especially if the system was recently refilled or if it has been sitting idle. This disrupts the ink flow, primarily affecting the magenta and cyan channels. With yellow often being the dominant color left, your prints appear yellow and faded.

2. Clogged or Dry Printhead Nozzles:
   Although the initial pages appear satisfactory, the printhead nozzles may not maintain ink flow for extended periods. This could mean the nozzles are partially clogged and unable to maintain ink pressure beyond short bursts of printing.

3. Worn or Damaged Dampers/Ink Filters:
   The L1800 features small ink filters, known as dampers, that are positioned between the ink tank and the printhead. If these are clogged or degraded, ink delivery becomes inconsistent.

4. Low Ink Levels or Faulty Sensors:
   Sometimes, the printer may falsely detect ink as full due to sensor errors. Always visually check your ink tank levels and look for sediment buildup.

Recommended Fixes

1. Flush the Ink System:
   You’ll need to perform a thorough flush of the ink lines and possibly the printhead. This involves:

   • Use a cleaning kit to push the cleaning solution through the ink ports.

   • Purging air bubbles from the system.

   • Optionally rebuilding the ink system by replacing the dampers and tubing if they’re degraded.

2. Check and Refill Ink Tanks:
   Ensure your ink tanks are filled with high-quality ink that is compatible with the Epson L1800. Also, ensure there are no clogs in the tank outlets.

3. Run a Nozzle Check and Power Clean:
   Access the printer's maintenance settings and perform a Nozzle Check, followed by a Power Cleaning. This will help dislodge any dry ink and restore consistency in ink flow.

4. Inspect and Replace the Dampers (if needed):
   Replacing these small but critical components can significantly improve ink delivery stability.

Can You Drop Off Your Printer for Repair?

Yes, we do accept drop-offs, but please note a few essential points:

• Our Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service) is currently running at full capacity. However, I can personally check with Abby to see if she's able to take on a new machine.

• If you plan to drop off the printer:

  • Remove external ink tanks or CISS systems if they’re installed externally.

  • Clearly label any issues and include sample prints.

  • Don’t forget to pack it securely if you’re shipping—although we don't ship printers back. Pickup is required in person.

You can find full details—pricing, turnaround times, and service levels—on our repair service page. It’s been carefully refined over the past 13 years to answer most customer questions.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Therefore, we're unable 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. It may take a few weeks before we can get your printer to drop it off. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Look for specific videos using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be the most efficient approach. Additionally, YouTube may suggest relevant videos from other channels that can assist you.

Thank you again for reaching out. We appreciate your patience, and we’re here to help in any way we can. Keep us posted, and best of luck with getting your Epson L1800 back to peak performance!