epson printer WP-4020 ink leak problem - disassembly
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 ก.ค. 2024
- I show how to disassemble the WP-4020 printer to examine the source of the leaking yellow (or other color) ink. This may or may not be fixable but I doubt it. May also apply to the WP-4511 WP-4515 WP-4521 WP-4525 WP-4530 WP-4531 WP-4540 WP-4545.
Thank you for LIKING my video.
Please see my video about fixing paper feed problems with this series of Epson printers. • epson printer WP-4020 ... - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
Thanks for posting. Same problem, here, with WF-4535 (3.5 years old).
Called the Epson service center in the NL. Epson sent me a new printer
WF-4630 pronto, free of charge. That's the attitude that builds customer
loyalty, even when products fail to perform. Was good to be able to refer to these similar cases. Cheers!
Just happened to me yesterday with a printer that I bought in 2012. Found this video and called Epson support as suggested. They will be sending me a new replacement and even told me don't bother to return the defective unit. Epson support was professional an very courteous. Awesome to deal with support like this! Great job Epson.
To provide a current (as of May 2015) comment to this video - I too have the leaking ink issue with a WP-4020 after about 2.5 years of use. I called Epson a few minutes ago and they are going to provide a replacement printer with 2 sets of ink cartridges. Very impressed with the way they are backing up this product! This kind of (rare) service will keep me as an Epson customer.
Thanks George for posting this information. April 2018 Update. My WP-4020 has the same problem and this is clearly a design defect, Epson no longer replaces these printers, so previous posters should be glad that their printer failed within the warranty period. My response to Epson:
I am not satisfied with Epson's response to this problem. I am having large yellow streaks and globs of yellow ink show up when I print. I purchased the printer in 2012 and the wireless quit working within two years. I compensated by connecting the Epson to an hp en3700 Network connection to USB port and connected the USB port to my printer. This has worked fine until the recent yellow globs and streaking (I can send scans if requested).
The service representative had me perform four print-head tests and three print head cleanings and each time I noted the large yellow streaks, which would not be a print-head cleaning issue (I already performed these procedures back when I first noticed the yellow globing). This was a waste of time.
A quick online search shows this TH-cam video and a large number of other videos describing this exact same problem for multiple Epson printers: th-cam.com/video/ZZ1jkgE9TtA/w-d-xo.html
This certainly appears to be a design defect and unfortunately my product did not exhibit the defect early enough to have the problem properly resolved.
I wasted an extra 676XL Yellow cartridge trying to resolve the problem, plus I still have the other color and black cartridges in the printer, plus I have two unopened cartridges (Magenta and Black) all of which probably cost more than the printer and are now unusable.
The 15% coupon is hardly a appropriate response for a product design defect. A 15% coupon plus a set of new print cartridges is the least that should be offered.
This was my first Epson purchase and I now know that Epson will not recall and fix an obvious product defect (based on the number of comments and videos about this same problem).
Regards - Cliff Cummings
Hi, I have the same problem with my WP 4530 printer that is now about 2 1/2 years old. I have contacted the Epson support centre by phone with my serial No. ( I registered it when I bought it) and within 10 minutes they had emailed me a reply stating that they are going to replace my printer with a new one, the latest WP-4630 model, as the WP 4530 is now obsolete. Now considering that the printer is out of warranty I reckon that is bloody good service AND recognition that the problem is very real. WELL DONE, EPSON !
Peter of Adelaide.
Thank you so much for posting everyone...if it was not for the comments I would have gone out and buy another printer, but because of everyones comments, I called and now Epson is sending me a new printer for free! Got to Love Espson - excellent service. I will be sticking with Epson for now on.
Thank you George!!! This is my second Epson WP-4010 The first one would not feed the paper to be printed. The wheel was broken. this time it is bleeding yellow. I called them and they are sending me a replacement. I do have to send the defective printer back. it will be free to shop is back witch is great. Thank you so much for the disassembly tutorial. it was a big help. ps i love taking things apart to see how they work and if they are broke I like to see if I can fix them.
I was all excited to be able to watch the video to help me FIX the problem. Little did I know that it only got me through the maze of taking the unit apart (albeit, it was fun to do). The best info was reading all the fellow responses of the common leaking ink problem and their resolutions, i.e., call Epson. I just did and they will be sending me a new, upgraded version of this printer at no cost to me. The best part is I don't have to put the printer back together again. My kitchen counter looks like Humpty Dumpty with printer parts. Thanks everyone for chipping in.
Many thanks to you George. You made disassembly of my WP-4020 easy work! Very helpful video. My WP-4020 is back up and running beautifully.
Glad it helped
I have a WP-4530 - same yellow ink problem. Called Epson based on the recommendations here and they were very helpful in working thru a similar replacement. Created a CC hold of $179.99... just a heads up, they are asking for the replaced printer to be returned. They sound like they will even be helping out with the extra ink cartridge (new and unopened) I have since the new printers don't use this ink. I can't be happier with Epson right now, very happy with this level of support. It's actually over the top even. That said, they must know there is an issue with those ink lines.
My WP 4530 had a similar problem in Jan 2021 but with the black ink. I called Epson (customer service is in the Philippines) and got nowhere. They offered a 15% discount, good for a week. No refund on the new, unopened, unexpired ink cartridges I had just purchased. I spoke with the 'sales' department about purchasing a new printer. The coupon was not valid on new printers - just refurbished units. Oh, and they had none in stock... Not happy at all with Epson. This was my 4th or more Epson product (printer, scanners). After this shoddy customer service experience, it is my last!
George - You are the ONLY person I have seen who has shown how to take the Epson WP-4020 apart. Thank GOD you did so. I have the problem of I turned off my printer over six months ago when I started my new job and only recently tried turning it back on. Of course all of the ink had dried on the print head. I was at a loss on how to take the thing apart so I could use a toothbrush on the print head to clean it. Now at last I'll be able to get the thing open. If you get the chance - can you tell me anything I might need to know about getting the print head off? There are a lot of screws in there than I can see through the door. So I am assuming there are a lot of them to keep track of. So any insights would be helpful. Thanks in advance for any advice you can give. :-)
Ugh. I thought I was liking YOUR comments and instead I liked my own. Just not my day I guess. :-/
Thanks George. I'm working on a WP-4540 that I got for a song, same yellow ink problem. To remove the scanner assembly from the top you will need a hook tool to pull off the 4 electrical connectors located just above the USB/ethernet ports at the back.
I am writing this on April 5, 2015. We purchased a WP-4530 in 2012 and began experiencing the ink leakage problem a couple weeks ago. Ours was leaking blue ink. After reading George's comment, I called the Epson support number, and to my surprise they are sending us a refurbished 4520 for free, even though our original machine is out of warranty. This is an exchange, so they asked for a credit card number which will not be charged unless we do not return our original machine, and they are paying for shipping. This ink leakage problem must encompass a lot of machines for them to offer this, but I am impressed that they would stand behind their product. In the past we have had trouble with the printers from other large companies (think two letters) and they refused to do anything. Until the ink leak, this printer has performed very well so if they've solved the problem we are pleased to continue using one. Our experience with refurbished products is they often perform better than new ones. Thank you, Epson! And to readers of this......it's a good idea to register your product with the manufacturer....I believe that helped in this case.
Same exact printer, same exact problem. Called Epson this morning and they are mailing me a new one with new ink. Thank you for the post and info!
My w 4020 was not working and would die and all of the lights would light and not quit. I followed your dismantle and eventually found my machine's problem. An optical wheel beneath a panel under the ink reservoirs had some dust on it... I suppose to some minor rubbing. I cleaned the dust off and my machine is working again! Thanks for your great, clear directions with your great comments.
Helpful video. Even more helpful comments. Merry Christmas and much thanks!
I am kind of amazed. I just called EPSON support. We have had a blue ink leaking onto our printer pages in the past week. We have a WP 4020 that is over 5 years old. EPSON is sending us a refurbished unit at no charge. No exchange necessary. That is customer service!
I'm in Italy here and my WP-4525 (warranty expired November 2012) developed this problem over the last months (first it leaked only tiny little drops of yellow ink but last week with a new refill it began loosing massive amounts of ink). I contacted Epson support via online chat and was readily advised that I could bring it to their next service center and that it would be repaired free of charge in case it had developed that specific breakdown. Since the next service center is not far from my home I didn't inquire for other means of transportation and simply dropped the printer off there myself; they had a lot of these printers there, btw. Picked it up again a week later and it has indeed been repaired free of charge. I am glad since I still have 100€ worth of ink cartridges I couldn't use in any other printer!So if you have one of these printers give the Epson support a call.
+namulit emperor Good for Epson. They fixed your printer even when you were over three years out of warranty. Impressive!
Happy result 2016!
Moved my Wp-4535 (4 year old) to check for a 'paper jam' to fin a small pool of Yellow ink on the lefthand side. So having found this video, I phoned EpsonUK Support. The call was quick, but as it is a Buisness machine I had to wait a few hours for them to phone back. They just asked a couple of question to check where the ink was coming from and dispatched a replacement unit in '2 working days'. Courier to pick up the old machine.
Thanks George! I don't think I would have easily disassembled my printer
hello thank you for this video
i repaired my wp 4015 epson there is no more leak, but yellow do not work it seem that the yellow little tank (the one i have repaired behind the spring) do not fill completely.
have you an idea
thank you
thierry
Anyone have an idea on getting a deeper clean than the normal procedures? I am still getting that blurry line every 10-15 lines. Thx!
Hi, I have managed to repair a WP-4545 using a Hot Glue gun. I first had to clean the area until dry, then using the hot glue gun seal all the way around the yellow Ink well and then making sure the plastic cover is well glued. I then did all the other colours while i had the opportunity. Printer is now working well,
+john l Good for you. I looked at doing that, trying to replair the broken seal. With Epson possibly sending you a free replacement unit, why don't you ask for that?? Your repaired printer will give you output until the replacement arrives.
+George Plhak took me 20 minutes to try and repair, if this did not work, would have done what you have suggested. So for the time being if this carries on working will leave as is, however time will tell as they say!
+John - And after this the yellow color has been lost forever?
Hello, I know this is old post, but can you tell me, how exactly did you repair it? I am in exactly the same situation with WP-4535. The yellow ink "circle" has about twice as much ink as others. Did you just glue it around and left it that way? Please answer, if you remember
How did you get the cover off, im struggling to get my printer cover off ?
IVE GOT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY EPSON L1455 WITH RED COLOUR A CIRCLE MARKS COME WHAT I MUST DO
Its an ink damper. It prevents ink flowing backwards. Obviously this part should reside in catridges and it should not be put against such a pressure that it causes material weakness. Hot glue gun or resin glue will help you here, then one needs to reinforce it with tape. But an equivalent machine like officejet pro 8600 from HP does not have this and is much better. It also has removable printhead for much much easier de-clogging, the printhead is replacable and it does not use any ink pump - relying on air compressor instead, keeping all clean in long run. It also does not use CISS-like tubbing (under constant pressure - no doubt) leading to even less problems.
As of today you can get get the new 46-40 replacement printer with the credit card hold. Thank you so much. I loved my printer until this happened two weeks ago. I never even print in color
Here is another video showing the same problem th-cam.com/video/OIVNTMt0ua8/w-d-xo.html and a phone number to call at Epson (in the comments). Good luck.
If you call Epson have all your info ready. The serial number, purchase date and even the model number of the Epson ink cartridges. I think it helped that I buy my cartridges from Epson directly on their website since there was no question about my using third party cartridges. They even had my phone number and address. Thanks again Epson!
Be sure to do a nozzle test. I did it a head cleaning three times a few weeks ago and it cleaned up my black ink smear. Smear came back and I did a nozzle test and head cleaning 3 more times with customer service and it cleaned up my black smear BUT I could not get rid of one spot on the Cyan. They called it a hardware issue and sent me a 15% coupon (good only for 7 days) if I didn't want to send it to a service center (72 miles away).
This is very good demonstration. This is very similar construction in Epson WF-5690, WF-4630, WF-4640. There is clearly a design flaw with these long ink supply line printer models and it is not easily fixable. It seems that there gets high pressure when the printhead cloggs and after some time this junction fails and leaks ink. I wonder if it would be possible to cut out the clogged supply line somewhere in the middle, and use cleaning kit from the cut supply line to clean the printhead?
Because there was nothing to lose, i used techinical vibrative saw (Lidl Parkside multipurpose tool PMFW 280 A2) to cut out plastic from the left side. Then i cut the inks supply line and connected each line to syringe cleaning tool. I removed the supply line from the printerhead part and put the cleaning fluid throug the supply lines so there was no clogged ink left, only cleaning fluid. Then i connected the supply line to printerhead again and put cleaning fluid from the cut lines (left side from the printer.) But nothing helped, the printerhead was totally bricked, not a single drop came through. So there was nothing to be done just put the printer to waste.
@@aris95 Good for you. You worked hard to understand the problem and you kept your printer running. These are great printers. My two are still running without the problem. One was replaced by Epson over 5 years ago! The other never had the problem, now probably eight years old.
@@georgeplhak Thank you for your answer. If the supply lines are opened from connections it is very important to use duck tape temporarily to close the supply line ends when not connected so that there gets no air which cloggs everything very fast.
Yep, same problem here, I loved this Epson 4540 Workforce printer until it started leaking yellow ink all over my paper. Now I just want to smash it. Hopefully Epson has fixed this problem, because the printer was wonderful before the leaky yellow ink.
Loren P. - did you look around at the comments here? Epson will replace your printer FREE. My replacement printer (now over a year old) has been just as wonderful as the original but it does not leak. Good luck.
I looked further into the posted comments and called Epson. They are shipping a replacement. Thanks for taking the time to post this video!
This just happened to me about half hour ago. Yellow spewing ink. Ugh. It is all over the inside of the printer
It is a brilliant video. I have EPSON WP 4535 (basically the same, but european model). Printer is similar, mine has scanner on the top. Is there any chance you have instruction how to dissasemble scanner. After scannet is dissasembelt I believe all the rest is shown on your video. My overall ailm is to clean printing head.
Thanks!
Thank you Thomaz. No, I do not have a WP4535. Good luck cleaning your print heads. I hope my video will help you. George
hello, I have a problem with the printer, ink dripping near the head, I cleaned it, but now it prints badly, I don't know if it is the head or the motherboard.
Just called Epson support for this problem, spent an hour on the phone with a call center in the Philippines which rendered no help for the blue streak on my paper. Even though our product is registered, the only option they gave me was to purchase a new one. I made sure I told them that others have the same problem... made no difference. I'm not impressed. I might just call Epson and try to get someone in the U.S. to handle my call to see if that helps. My ink cartridges are new and cost well over $100... so I'm out that money too... just in time for back to school
HOLA AMIGO A MI ME PASO LO MISMO COMO LO SOLUCIONO ??? SE PUEDE CANCELAR LAS MAGUERAS DE ESA PARTE DONDE TIENE LA FUGA ?
Hi George I have an Epson WP 4540 and the black ink leaks from the maintenance box after a print head cleaning. I removed the maintenance box and it is all covered in black ink. Obviously it's not streaming properly in the open slot. What could cause this? And how could I fix it?
+Doreen Kuzdek Probably your maintenance box is full and you should replace it. They are not expensive, I think $12-15 each and are available at the epson store. Another nice thing about the Workforce series of printers is that they have user replaceable maintenance boxes. Just look around the back of the printer and you should find it.
+George Plhak I checked the maintenance box and it's not really full at all. And even the indicator on the printer says it's ok and not ready to be changed. The ink is coming out all "over the top of the box" and down the sides of the box instead of pouring into the open slot of the box. I have ordered a replacement, but I'm afraid that it will still spray all over in the compartment and leak black ink on the printed pages....From you taking the printer apart - did you see how the excess ink gets flushed into the maintenance box during print head cleaning??? Is there a hose that maybe has come loose???
+Doreen Kuzdek In that case, you probably have the same problem that the rest of us are having and you should call Epson and ask them for a replacement printer. The maintenance box should catch the excess when the print head is cleaned. The print head should be over it when that operation happens. You and I can't really tell where the ink is coming from without some surgery and likely it is not something you could fix on your own. That is the conclusion I reached after getting inside. My yellow diaphram had burst, perhaps with yours, it is the black diaphram. I think someone else reported magenta. Call Epson now.
So, has anyone figured out why the pump assembly leaks?
Is it a bad design or flawed materials?
I think Epson figured out which but they are not telling, just replacing. Good on Epson.
anyone tried getting this replaced in canada? same problem, took it apart and found the yellow seal is leaking ink.
+Cameron Berry I am in Canada. Worked for me. I shot the video. Epson shipped me the replacement printer to my Ontario home and I did not have to return the leaking printer. Thank you Epson!
I purchased my WP-4020 printer in January 2014 costing US$99. It is now September 2016 and, after 2-1/2 years later of great printing, it began leaking black ink recently. I just got off the phone with Epson and, WOW, 10 minutes later they are sending me a replacement printer. Way to go Epson! I knew I would be glad I moved away from HP! Note that the replacement may be a "substitute, equivalent or upgraded" printer. I will report back on what I get. Hmmmm, what to do with the old printer?
Called Epson Support this morning @ (562) 276-4382. They are sending a replacement printer and a set of cartridges, no charge. I don't have to return the bad one. WELL DONE EPSON! THANK YOU. I have another of these same printers that does not have the leakage. Other than this problem I am delighted with these EPSON printers and I plan to continue with them.
Hi, I have the same problem with my WP 4020 printer that is now about 2 years old. I have contacted the Epson support center by phone with my serial No. ( I registered it when I bought it) and within 5 minutes they had gotten my info and stated that they were going to replace my printer with a new one and a new set of inks for any trouble that I may have had, the latest WP-4020 model. Great service, THANK YOU EPSON!
Thank you George for the video info...
Thanks for this video and info. I'm another with a 4020 that leaks yellow. How long did you have your printer? I bought mine on 3/20/12, so that might be too long to expect any help. I'll call them regardless.
APPLIES TO DARN WP-4530 also!
If this a common problem on Epson i am happy to use Cannon.. I dont understand why they dont recall while there is too much fixing videos around..
Are you sure you're not Jack Nicholson?
I wasnt so lucky. i called Epson and thye told me there was a "limited " one year warranty and I could drive 2 hours away to get it fixed or buy a new one.
Heard from a friend (in Canada) who just last week called Epson and they are sending her a replacement for the one she bought four years ago and never registered. Did you call Epson technical support (562) 276-4382?
Thank you for all of the intel in the comments section. I called the suggested 562 number and they are sending me a refurbished printer. Considering I bought this printer more than 2 years ago, I can live with that. They are asking me to send back the broken printer in the same box. Shipping will be covered.
Good news Katherine and thanks! Epson certainly does seem to be standing behind their product.
+Katharine Pike
Keep in mind that the printers they are sending are refurbished.