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Prestige XL3

Prestige XL3 - How to Troubleshoot When the Print Head Carriage Does Not Move Properly

Written out step by step, with the video alongside.

  • 1 step
  • 56 instructions
  • 1 video
  • Updated 2026-04-20

Installation & setup guideThe full manual, beyond first setup. · All manuals

Troubleshooting Printer Carriage Malfunction

SECTION (00:00:00) Overview and Scope

Written steps1

Before you start

SECTION (00:00:24) Components Involved in Carriage Movement SECTION (00:01:06) Check for Error Codes in Pilot Software SECTION (00:01:17) Known Error Codes and Meanings SECTION (00:02:15) Correcting Belt Tension for Error Code 1604

What you need

  • This guide helps eliminate common causes of printer carriage movement issues
  1. Move the carriage fully to the right
  2. Pull the belt toward the front of the printer
  3. Have a second person hold the belt in position
  4. Move to the left-side bearing connected to the X motor
  5. Pull the belt toward the front
  6. Loosen all nine motor screws without removing them
  7. Apply leftward tension to the motor
  8. Tighten the first four screws
  9. Tighten the next three screws
  10. Use the last two screws for fine tension adjustment
  11. Move the carriage left and right to confirm the belt no longer shifts SECTION (00:03:58) Test Encoder Strip and Encoder Sensor
  12. Dock the carriage on the capping station
  13. Open DTF Station Pilot
  14. Go to Advanced
  15. Enter password 11
  16. Observe the current position value
  17. Press the left arrow key once to undock the carriage
  18. Hold the left arrow key to move the carriage left
  19. Check whether the position value changes SECTION (00:04:48) Check X Motor Indicator
  20. Open the side panel
  21. Locate the X motor
  22. Check for a red indicator light SECTION (00:05:13) Step 1 – Test Home Sensor
  23. Turn the printer on
  24. Perform a nozzle check
  25. Observe carriage movement
  26. Use left and right arrow keys to manually move the carriage SECTION (00:05:47) Step 2 – Firmware Reset
  27. Open DTF Station Pilot
  28. Go to Advanced
  29. Enter password 11
  30. Go to Firmware
  31. Select Import
  32. Load the most recent firmware file
  33. Select all options
  34. Click OK twice SECTION (00:06:23) Firmware Reset for Other Printer Models
  35. Go to Firmware
  36. Import firmware configuration file
  37. Select required options and confirm
  38. Import firmware configuration parameter file
  39. Select the top three options and confirm
  40. Perform gear ratio check
  41. Save settings
  42. Initialize the system SECTION (00:07:28) Step 3 – Reseat Daughterboard Cables
  43. Press Enter to home the carriage
  44. Remove media from the printer
  45. Press left arrow once to disengage
  46. Hold left arrow to move carriage to center
  47. Turn off the printer
  48. Remove the daughterboard cover
  49. Identify cables for encoder sensor, headstrike sensor, power supply, and motherboard
  50. Reseat one cable at a time
  51. Ensure release notches are pressed where applicable SECTION (00:09:00) Reseat Motherboard Cables
  52. Open the rear panel
  53. Identify cables for X motor board and home position sensor
  54. Reseat each cable carefully
  55. Restore power
  56. Test carriage movement SECTION (00:09:58)
  • Not all error codes or causes are fully documented yet
  • Procedures will be updated as more information becomes available
  • Motherboard and daughterboard process commands
  • Power supply delivers operating voltage
  • Encoder strip provides position reference
  • Encoder sensor reads the encoder strip
  • X motor drives carriage movement
  • Drive belt transfers motor movement to the carriage
  • Bearing allows smooth motion
  • Rail supports and guides the carriage
  • Dry or damaged rails can cause movement issues and may require lubrication
  • Open the DTF Station Pilot software
  • Review any active error codes before mechanical inspection
  • 00400 and 013023 indicate a daughterboard issue
  • 01007 and 01009 indicate a daughterboard issue
  • 001007 and 001009 indicate a daughterboard issue
  • 016004 indicates encoder strip, encoder sensor, or daughterboard issues
  • 1604 indicates belt tension or bearing issues
  • If the value changes, the encoder strip, encoder sensor, and daughterboard are functioning
  • If the value does not change, eliminate the motherboard as the cause
  • A red light isolates the issue to the X motor
  • If the carriage moves left only and not right, replace the home sensor
  • This step applies to Prestige R1 only
  • If no firmware file is available, request the default file from DTF Station
  • If carriage movement issues persist, contact DTF Station technical support
  • This procedure covers all currently known troubleshooting steps

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