Issue description

During operation or initialization, the print carriage of the xTool Apparel Printer forcefully hits the left side of the machine's body and is unable to return to its starting position or reset correctly.

• Refer to the following content for troubleshooting.

Potential causes

• The encoder strip is dirty (e.g., with dust, ink mist, or grease).
• The encoder strip is damaged or faulty.
• The encoder sensor (decoder) that reads the encoder strip is glitching.

Troubleshooting procedures

Please follow these steps systematically to diagnose and resolve this issue.

STEP1: Clean the encoder strip

A dirty encoder strip is a common cause for the printer losing track of the print carriage's position.

Required tools:

• Lint-free cloth
• Anhydrous ethanol
• 75% isopropyl alcohol or purified water

1. Dampen the lint-free cloth with anhydrous ethanol.
2. Gently wipe the encoder strip along its entire length (in one direction ONLY; NOT back and forth). The encoder strip is a thin, semi-transparent plastic strip usually located behind the print carriage rail. Be gentle to avoid dislodging or damaging it.
3. Allow a moment for the anhydrous ethanol to evaporate completely.

• Video tutorial: For detailed visual instructions on cleaning the encoder strip, please refer to: Cleaning the Encoder Strip
• Specific sections: 1:09 - 1:48 minitues

STEP2: Power cycle the printer

After cleaning the encoder strip and ensuring it is dry:

1. Disconnect the power cable from the power source.
2. Wait 30 seconds to ensure complete power discharge.
3. Reconnect the power cable to the outlet.
4. Power on the printer and observe the carriage movement.
5. Observe if the print carriage still collides with the machine body during initialization or if it resets correctly.

STEP3: Contact xTool technical support

If the print carriage continues to hit the left side of the machine after thoroughly cleaning the encoder strip and performing a full power cycle, there is likely a hardware issue with the encoder strip itself or the encoder sensor.

• In this case, please proceed to the next section to contact xTool Customer Service for further assistance.

Still experiencing issues?

Should the issue persist after completing the preceding steps, submit a ticket via the "Submit a Ticket" button in the "Help Ticket" section below. The standard response time for xTool Customer Service is one business day.

For a prompt resolution, please include the following details:

• Issue Description: A detailed explanation of the observed problem.
• Video Evidence: Attach a video demonstrating the issue, where applicable.
• Troubleshooting Performed: Any troubleshooting steps you have already attempted, along with their results.

This information is crucial for xTool technical support engineers to provide timely assistance.

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