Why Your DTF Printer Still Won’t Print After Cleaning and Power Cleaning

Question:
I had an encoder issue that I was able to resolve by following your site’s guidance. However, my printer still won’t print even after performing both manual cleaning and power cleaning. During the power cleaning, no ink was sprayed at all. What could I be missing?

Answer:

If your printer is not spraying any ink even after performing power cleaning, the most likely cause is an issue with ink delivery and suction rather than just the printhead itself. Let’s walk through the key areas to check:

1. Capping Station Seal

The capping station is critical for priming and cleaning. When the carriage parks, the capping station forms a tight seal around the printhead to allow suction during cleaning cycles. If the seal is loose, damaged, misaligned, or clogged with dried ink, the suction process will fail—resulting in no ink being pulled through.

• Fix: Inspect the rubber edges of the capping station. Make sure they are flexible, intact, and free from ink buildup. Clean with lint-free swabs and isopropyl alcohol. Ensure the station rises and seals flush against the printhead.

2. Pump Assembly

The cleaning function depends on the pump mechanism working correctly. If the pump is clogged with dried ink or the tubes are blocked, it won’t be able to generate suction.

• Fix: Run a manual flush through the pump lines if possible. If the pump motor runs but no ink moves, the pump tubing may need replacement.

3. Dampers and Ink Lines

If no ink is reaching the printhead, the dampers (small filters that connect the ink lines to the head) may be clogged, or air could be trapped in the lines. Air bubbles prevent ink from being delivered consistently.

• Fix: Replace clogged dampers if needed. Use a syringe priming method to manually pull ink into the dampers and remove trapped air.

4. Printhead Condition

If the printer was previously idle, dried ink may have hardened inside the nozzles, causing a severe blockage. Even with proper suction, no ink will spray if the internal channels are sealed.

• Fix: In stubborn cases, the printhead may need a professional flush or, if beyond recovery, replacement.

5. Ink Supply Check

It’s worth confirming that the ink tanks and lines are properly filled, unclogged, and not leaking. Low or improperly installed cartridges/tanks can also prevent ink delivery.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. That’s why we cannot provide full remote troubleshooting for these situations. However, BCH Technologies does offer an in-person diagnostic and repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Service is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before your printer can be dropped off. We can repair complete printers or specific parts, and we provide clear instructions on how to proceed.

That said, for more immediate help, we encourage you to explore self-service guides online. Our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) is a great place to start. Simply use the search icon next to “About” on the channel’s menu bar to look for videos covering topics like capping station repair, dampers, or priming ink lines. With over nine years of content, searching is the most effective way to find exactly what you need. YouTube may also recommend helpful videos from other creators.

Thank you again for contacting us. We truly value your trust in BCH Technologies and your support for our work.