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Prestige XL4

Prestige XL4 - Prestige Large Format - How to Troubleshoot Poor Nozzle Check

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  • 6 steps
  • 112 instructions
  • 1 video
  • Updated 2026-04-20

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

Troubleshooting Poor Nozzle Check on Prestige XL3 and XL4 Printers

  1. 0:01Introduction and Usage Instructions
  2. 0:39Section 1 – Initial Diagnosis and Advisories
  3. 1:15Section 2 – Basic Physical Checks
  4. 5:31Section 3 – Ink Stack Settings
  5. 11:44Section 4 – Capping Station Alignment
  6. 19:11Section 5 – Advanced Cleaning Procedures
Written steps6

Introduction and Usage Instructions

Watch this part0:01
  1. Review all sections of this video, which are also listed as chapters in the description.
  2. Perform a nozzle check after completing each troubleshooting section.
  3. If the printer begins operating properly at any point, stop the procedure.
  4. Proceed sequentially through the sections unless instructed otherwise.

Section 1 – Initial Diagnosis and Advisories

Watch this part0:39
  1. Perform a nozzle check.
  2. If all nozzles are completely missing, stop and do not proceed with this guide.
  3. Open the top cover of the printer carriage.
  4. Check for a red light inside the carriage.
  5. If a red light is present, notify your technician for further instructions.
  6. If only some nozzles are missing and there is no red light, continue with this guide.
  7. If the printer is older than one year, note that print head replacement or ink filter replacement may be required after completing all troubleshooting steps.

Section 2 – Basic Physical Checks

Watch this part1:15
  1. Check the cover bypass sensor by opening the center cover and locating the sensor.
  2. Place a piece of metal or a magnet over the sensor to simulate a closed cover.
  3. Go to the back of the printer and verify all ink valves are in the open position.
  4. Rotate any closed valve so it points toward you.
  5. Locate the white ink circulation control knob on the side of the printer.
  6. Reduce or stop white ink circulation if it is set too high.
  7. Check that the cleaning solution bottle is full.
  8. Inspect the cleaning solution tube for air bubbles.
  9. If bubbles are present, press the left arrow key to move the carriage left.
  10. Press the manual fill button to pull cleaning solution into the white cap.
  11. Verify air bubbles disappear and the cap fills with solid solution.
  12. If bypassing this step, clamp or tie the tube to prevent air intake.
  13. Press and hold the left arrow key to move the carriage to the center.
  14. Remove media from the printer.
  15. Power off the printer.
  16. Remove the carriage cover using a Phillips screwdriver.
  17. Visually inspect dampers and ink lines for air bubbles.
  18. Confirm ink lines are fully seated against the dampers.
  19. If a damper is suspected, remove it by holding only the hard plastic frame.
  20. Insert a syringe into the bottom of the damper and slowly pull.
  21. If solid ink fills the syringe, reinstall the damper.
  22. If bubbles or air are present, replace the damper.
  23. Open the side panel and locate the side ink tubes.
  24. Check for twists or kinks in the tubes.
  25. Detach twisted tubes and pre-twist one side counterclockwise.
  26. Reconnect and twist clockwise to secure.
  27. Perform a 30-second fill ink.
  28. Perform two back-to-back head cleanings.
  29. Print a nozzle check.

Section 3 – Ink Stack Settings

Watch this part5:31
  1. Understand the head cleaning stages: pump, scarp, flash, and wetting.
  2. Open DTF Station Pilot.
  3. Go to Advanced settings.
  4. Enter the password and confirm.
  5. Navigate to the Inkstack tab.
  6. Click confirm next to Wetting Inkstack Height while observing the capping station.
  7. Adjust the value so the cap presses into the print head by approximately 1 mm.
  8. Avoid gaps or excessive pressure that moves the carriage.
  9. Increase or decrease values in appropriate increments based on current settings.
  10. Copy the final wetting value into Pump Inkstack Height.
  11. Click confirm next to Flash Inkstack Height.
  12. Adjust the value so the cap is very close without making contact.
  13. Disengage the capping station using the left arrow key.
  14. Move the wiper blade next to the print heads.
  15. Click confirm for Scarp Height.
  16. Reduce the value until the wiper contacts the print head without bending excessively.
  17. Ensure the wiper blade sits slightly lower than the carriage.
  18. Go to File and click Save.
  19. Click OK.
  20. Go to Operation and click Initialize.
  21. Run a head cleaning and visually verify all stages.
  22. Go to Menu > Head Maintenance > Fill Ink.
  23. Select two heads and run for 30 seconds.
  24. Verify solid ink exits the waste tube with no air bubbles.
  25. Perform two head cleanings.
  26. Print a nozzle check.

Section 4 – Capping Station Alignment

Watch this part11:44
  1. Open DTF Station Pilot.
  2. Go to Settings > Ink Charge.
  3. Select Head 1 and run ink charge for 20 seconds.
  4. Observe the waste tube for ink flow.
  5. Repeat for each print head individually.
  6. Identify any head with no ink flow or excessive bubbles.
  7. Disengage the capping station and move the carriage left.
  8. Clean under the carriage and around print heads using cleaning swabs and cleaning solution.
  9. Do not touch the print heads.
  10. Dip a clean swab into white ink.
  11. Paint the outer edges of each cap.
  12. Dock the carriage briefly.
  13. Move the carriage left again.
  14. Inspect the print heads for cap outlines.
  15. Verify nozzle bars fall within the outlines.
  16. Identify X-axis or Y-axis misalignment.
  17. For minor X-axis adjustment, loosen cap screws and shift the cap left or right.
  18. Tighten screws and re-test fill ink.
  19. For larger X-axis adjustment, enter factory mode in Advanced settings.
  20. Adjust the Hit Limit Back to Zero Distance value.
  21. Save and initialize after each change.
  22. Repeat until alignment is corrected.
  23. For Y-axis adjustment, remove the metal panel using six screws.
  24. Loosen the six screws under the capping station.
  25. Shift the capping station up or down as needed.
  26. Tighten all screws.
  27. Perform a fill ink to verify the seal.

Section 5 – Advanced Cleaning Procedures

Watch this part19:11
  1. Heat Color Prime cleaning solution until warm, not boiling.
  2. Move the carriage left.
  3. Fill each cap with warm cleaning solution using a syringe.
  4. Avoid introducing air bubbles.
  5. Dock the carriage and let sit for 5 minutes.
  6. Perform a 30-second fill ink.
  7. Perform two head cleanings.
  8. If unresolved, repeat the warm wet cap.
  9. Open the side panel and disconnect the side ink tube.
  10. Attach a syringe securely.
  11. Pull the syringe fully and hold to create negative pressure.
  12. Repeat pulling two to three times, removing at least 20 ml each time.
  13. Reconnect the tube using a pre-twist method.
  14. Perform two head cleanings.
  15. Print a nozzle check.
  16. If improvement is seen, perform another warm wet cap and leave overnight.
  17. If no resistance is felt during syringe pulls, an air leak is present.
  18. Return to capping station alignment checks.
  19. Notify your technician for further instructions.

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