Why Is My New Printhead Not Printing? Troubleshooting Tips for Epson Printers After Installation

Question:

I just installed a new printhead I ordered from your store. Ink is visibly flowing into the waste ink tank during head cleanings and charges, but nothing prints—no nozzle check pattern, no images, nothing. What steps can I take to fix this?

Answer:

1. Symptom Overview: Ink Goes to Waste Tank, But No Printing

What you’re describing—ink flowing into the waste ink tank during a cleaning cycle, but no actual print output—is a classic symptom of an electrical failure, not a fluidics issue. This usually rules out a clogged head or faulty capping station.

Common Causes:

• Blown F1 Fuse on the printer's mainboard.

• Damaged Printhead Driver Chip (from a power surge, improper installation, or defective components).

• Faulty or loose ribbon cable connections between the mainboard and printhead.

• In rare cases, an incorrect firmware flash or EEPROM corruption may be responsible.

2. First Step: Check the F1 Fuse

Start by locating the F1 fuse on your printer’s motherboard. This fuse is responsible for protecting the printhead circuit from surges. If the fuse is blown:

• The printer will still appear functional.

• Cleaning cycles will draw ink through the head, but no voltage reaches the nozzles, so no ink gets ejected onto the paper.

You can test the fuse with a multimeter set to continuity mode. If the fuse is open (no beep or zero reading), it’s blown and must be replaced. These are surface-mount fuses, but a skilled technician can swap them out or bridge it with a temporary fuse for testing.

3. If the Fuse Is Fine: Suspect the Driver Chip

If the F1 fuse is intact, the next suspect is the printhead driver chip on the board. Unfortunately, this is harder to test without a diagnostic setup. If you're not experienced with microelectronics, the best options are:

• Replace the motherboard with a known working one.

• Send the board out for repair if board-level servicing is available in your area.

Trying to print repeatedly without resolving a blown fuse or driver issue can permanently damage a new printhead, especially if power irregularities are involved.

4. Protect Your New Printhead

You mentioned installing a brand-new printhead. To protect it from further damage:

• Flush the ink out of the printhead as soon as possible.

• Inject wetter solution or cleaning fluid into the nozzles to keep them hydrated.

• Avoid leaving ink sitting inside the head, especially with pigment or dye-sub inks, as they can dry and clog easily if not fired.

This kind of issue is precisely why we recommend testing your mainboard and capping station thoroughly before installing a new head. A malfunctioning board can fry an otherwise functional head instantly. From your description, your capping station sounds like it’s working correctly, since it’s pulling ink during cleaning.

Addressing printer issues can be a tricky process, especially since so many variables are involved. That’s why we can’t provide remote diagnostics or hands-on technical support. However, we do offer in-person diagnostic and repair services through our local repair center. You can learn more on our Printer Repair Service page (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis, and there may be a waiting period before your unit can be evaluated. We repair both entire machines and individual parts, with detailed repair instructions. That said, we recognize that our repair services may not be the most cost-effective for everyone. That’s why we strongly encourage self-troubleshooting using free online resources. For DIY help, visit our YouTube channel homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) and use the search icon near the “About” tab to find relevant videos. With nine years of content and daily questions, this search method is the fastest way to find what you need—including content from other creators that may be equally helpful.

We thank you again for choosing BCH for your printhead and supplies, and we appreciate your patience as you work through this issue. Your proactive efforts in asking questions and following up are what make the printer community stronger for everyone.