Why Is My Printer Still Not Printing Blue After Cleaning? Troubleshooting a Stubborn Cyan Ink Blockage

Question:
I found your YouTube video about fixing a printer that was printing black ink but not the other three colors. I used your Premium Cleaning Solution and a set of four inks, and I was able to recover red and yellow, but blue still will not print. I have been working on it for about six days and am wondering whether I have reached the point where I should take it to a professional repair person or replace the printer, since it was purchased in 2017. I also received a mini drill and do not know what it is for. Is there a video showing how to use it, and is that the final step I need?

Answer:

From what you described, the printer originally had black ink but had lost the other three colors. After using our Premium Cleaning Solution and replacing or refreshing the ink set, you were able to recover red and yellow, but not blue. That tells us something important: the cleaning method is working to some degree, and the printer is still capable of moving at least some color ink through the printhead. However, the blue/cyan channel is likely either more severely clogged, not being supplied properly, or has a separate mechanical/electrical problem.

When only one color refuses to recover after multiple cleaning attempts, the most common causes are:

1. A stubborn clog in the cyan/blue printhead channel
   The cyan channel may have dried ink deeper inside the printhead. This is especially common if the printer sat unused or if the cyan ink line/cartridge had dried out before the other colors. Cleaning solution can soften the clog, but a deeply dried channel may need repeated soaking, controlled flushing, or a longer rest period between attempts.

   However, after six days of repeated cleaning, you should be careful not to overdo it. Too much pressure, too many forced flushes, or repeated cleaning cycles can damage the printhead, flood the capping station, or overload the waste ink system.

2. Air in the cyan ink path
   If the cyan cartridge, tank, damper, or ink line has air trapped inside, the printer may not be able to pull ink consistently. In that case, the printhead may not be completely clogged; instead, the channel is being starved of ink. You may see faint blue, intermittent blue, or no blue at all on the nozzle check.

   If this is an Epson EcoTank-style printer, air in the line can be especially frustrating because the ink path between the tank and printhead is longer. If it is a cartridge-style printer, the issue may be a poor cartridge seal, bad venting, or a cartridge that is not supplying ink properly.

3. A weak or failing capping station/pump system
   The printer depends on the capping station and pump to pull ink through the printhead during cleaning cycles. If the pump is weak, the cap does not seal well, or the waste tube is clogged, the printer may fail to prime one or more channels. Sometimes one color recovers while another does not, depending on where the blockage or suction problem is.

   You can sometimes check this by placing cleaning solution on the cap top and running a cleaning cycle to see whether the solution is pulled away. If the solution just sits there, the pump or waste line may not be working properly.

4. A printhead channel that is electrically damaged
   If the cyan channel has an electrical failure, no amount of cleaning solution will bring it back. A clogged channel and an electrically failed channel can look similar because both may show missing cyan on the nozzle check. The difference is that a clog may improve slightly over time, while an electrical failure usually shows no meaningful improvement at all.

   If the blue/cyan pattern has shown absolutely no change after several days, and you know the ink is reaching the printhead, then the printhead itself may be damaged.

5. A cartridge, tank, or ink supply problem rather than a printhead problem
   Since red and yellow recovered but blue did not, do not assume the printhead is automatically the only issue. The blue ink supply should also be checked. Make sure the cyan/blue ink is not empty, not contaminated, not blocked at the outlet, and not prevented from flowing by a closed vent or poor seal.

   If the printer uses cartridges, try another known-good cyan cartridge. If it uses tanks, confirm that ink is flowing through the cyan line and that there are no visible gaps, bubbles, or dried ink sections.

Regarding the mini drill: that tool is generally included for certain clog-clearing or modification procedures, depending on the kit and printer model. It is not automatically the "last step" for every case, and I would not recommend using it unless you are following a specific procedure for your exact printer type and problem. A drill can be useful in some situations, such as opening, clearing, or preparing a specific part for flushing, but it can also cause permanent damage if used in the wrong place. Before using it, please search our YouTube channel for your printer model and the specific repair topic. You can go to BCH Technologies on YouTube [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies], then use the small search icon on the channel page next to the "About" tab to search for terms like "printhead clog," "cyan not printing," "mini drill," "Epson clog," or your printer model number.

At this stage, since you have already worked on it for six days and recovered two of the three missing colors, I would not say the printer is hopeless, but I would be cautious. The next logical steps would be:

First, run a nozzle check and compare whether the blue/cyan section is completely blank or partially printing. If it is partially printing, the channel is likely still clogged or air-bound, and it may continue to improve with careful soaking and priming. If it is completely blank and has stayed completely blank the entire time, the odds of a deeper clog, ink starvation, or electrical printhead failure are higher.

Second, avoid running too many built-in cleaning cycles back-to-back. Printer cleaning cycles consume ink and can fill the waste ink pad or maintenance box quickly. They also do not always solve a hardened clog. Manual cleaning and resting periods are often more effective than repeated electronic cleanings.

Third, confirm that the cyan ink supply is actually reaching the printhead. A fresh ink set helps, but it does not always prove flow. If the cyan cartridge/tank/line has air or a blocked outlet, the printhead may still be dry on that channel.

Fourth, consider the age and value of the printer. Since it was purchased in 2017, the decision depends on the printer model, replacement cost, and whether it has other problems. If it is a higher-value photo printer or wide-format printer, repair may be worthwhile. If it is a lower-cost home printer and the printhead is likely damaged, replacement may be more practical.

Fifth, if you decide to continue, proceed slowly. Let the cleaning solution soak, avoid excessive pressure, and do not use the mini drill unless you are certain it applies to your exact repair procedure. The drill is not a universal final step. It is a tool for specific situations.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair because many of these problems require hands-on inspection. For that reason, we are not able to provide remote troubleshooting, detailed repair guidance, or one-on-one support for printer repairs. We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility, BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]. Because demand is high, we handle repairs on a first-come, first-served basis, so it may take a few weeks before we can accept your printer for drop-off. Our services are structured to repair either the whole printer or specific parts, and we provide instructions on how to proceed. That said, we understand that our repair rates may not be the most economical option for every situation. For that reason, we highly recommend using self-help resources and online research whenever possible. A good place to start is YouTube, including our channel homepage, BCH Technologies on YouTube [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. Once you are on the channel page, use the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar to search for your printer model or the specific issue. I receive dozens of questions every day asking for videos on specific topics, and after creating repair videos for more than nine years, it is difficult to remember every single one. YouTube's search function is usually the fastest way to locate the right video, and it may also suggest helpful videos from other creators.

Thank you again for reaching out and for supporting our work. I am glad to hear that red and yellow have already recovered, and I hope the blue channel can still be saved with careful troubleshooting. If the cyan channel remains completely blank after confirming ink flow and allowing proper soaking time, then professional evaluation or replacement may be the more practical next step.