Why Your Epson WF-3640 Printhead Shows No Ink After Deep Cleaning: Troubleshooting & Tips

Customer Question:
I performed a full deep clean on the semi-clogged Epson T1881 printhead from my Epson WF-3640 using an ultrasonic machine and BCH’s red cleaner, following the recommended steps. Everything appeared spotless afterward, and I got clear spray through all the nozzles using a syringe. However, when I reinstalled the printhead and ran a nozzle check twice, no black or color ink showed on paper. Is it normal for a printhead to require several cleanings to reprime after a deep clean, or is there an issue?

Answer:

1. Ultrasonic Cleaning: Hidden Dangers

First, it’s great to hear that the spray test from all four nozzles looked strong and consistent after cleaning. However, your method of using an ultrasonic cleaner may have unintentionally introduced a bigger issue, especially depending on the frequency and power settings of the unit.

Most generic ultrasonic cleaners, especially those running at 46kHz or higher, can delaminate the internal nozzle structure of Epson piezo printheads. This means the internal layers of the printhead—responsible for pressurizing and firing ink—can separate microscopically, rendering the head permanently non-functional. Unfortunately, this type of damage is invisible to the naked eye, and the printhead may appear physically perfect while being electrically or hydraulically dead inside.

For piezo printheads like those in the Epson WF-3640 (which uses the PrecisionCore T1881 system), the correct cleaning procedure would involve:

• Very low power ultrasonic frequency, ideally around 20kHz–30kHz

• Short bursts of ultrasonic action (1–3 seconds at a time)

• Letting the head rest between spurts

• Never fully submerging the head for extended periods

If your cleaner operated for too long or at a high frequency, this could explain why you’re getting absolutely zero output across all colors—even though your syringe test looked promising. The syringe test only indicates open nozzles but doesn't confirm internal firing capability.

2. Why Two Cleanings Weren’t Enough—Or Maybe Too Much

After a cleaning, it's normal for a printhead to require multiple head cleanings (3–6 cycles) before it begins to reprime with ink, especially if air was introduced into the ink lines. However, in your case, the total absence of even a trace of ink after two full cleaning cycles is a red flag—especially since each cleaning consumes significant ink and should push something through, even if partially clogged.

Furthermore, excessive cleanings can:

• Overheat the head

• Push air deeper into the system

• Lead to ink starvation if the ink supply lines were not properly re-primed

But based on your description—no ink at all after two cleans—the damage may be more severe than just needing extra cycles.

3. What You Can Try Next (If You Want to Rule Out Internal Damage)

Before giving up on the printhead, consider trying the following:

• Install a fresh set of ink cartridges, especially if your existing ones may have run dry during all the cleaning.

• Prime the ink system manually, if possible. Some models allow you to pull ink gently through the bottom of the printhead using a priming clip or by drawing ink from the cartridge outlet (with care).

• Run 1–2 additional cleanings only, then pause and do a nozzle check.

• If you're still getting nothing, the head is likely delaminated and beyond recovery.

4. Next Steps

If the printhead is indeed delaminated, unfortunately, it will need to be replaced. This is one reason we caution users about using standard ultrasonic cleaners unless they are experienced and fully understand the mechanics involved.

Addressing printer issues can be tricky and often requires hands-on troubleshooting. As such, we're unable to offer remote repairs or live diagnostic support. We do offer in-person evaluation and repair services (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service) through our local facility. However, due to high demand, wait times can stretch out a few weeks. Our services cover full printer repair or part-specific diagnostics, with transparent next steps provided after evaluation. That said, our rates are not the most budget-friendly. For many customers, we strongly suggest starting with self-help via online research. You can explore solutions on YouTube—particularly on our YouTube homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to the “About” tab to find relevant videos. With nearly a decade of content, searching is much faster than browsing manually. YouTube may also recommend helpful content from other creators.

Thank you again for your question and for being a valued member of our community. Your efforts in maintaining your printer the right way are deeply appreciated. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need further clarification.