Can a faulty ink cartridge cause the Epson L5190 error W-01?

Yes, a faulty ink cartridge can sometimes trigger the W-01 error. This can happen if the cartridge is not properly seated, if it's leaking, or if the ink is contaminated or dried out within the cartridge itself. Try removing and reinserting the ink cartridges or replacing them with new, genuine Epson cartridges.