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How To / Checking Printer Condition and Maintaining

Checking the Print Head Nozzles

Using the Nozzle Check utility
Using the control panel buttons

If you find that the printed image is unexpectedly faint or dots in the printed image are missing, you may be able to identify the problem by checking the print head nozzles.

You can check the print head nozzles from your computer using the Nozzle Check utility in the printer software, or from the printer itself by using the printer's control panel buttons.

Using the Nozzle Check utility

Refer to the appropriate section below to use the Nozzle Check utility.

Note:
Do not use the Nozzle Check utility while printing is in progress; otherwise, your printout may be marred.

For Windows users

Follow the steps below to use the Nozzle Check utility.

Make sure that A4- or Letter-size paper is loaded in the sheet feeder.

Access the printer software, click the Maintenance tab, and then click the Nozzle Check button.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

For Macintosh users

Follow the steps below to use the Nozzle Check utility.

For users of Mac OS 8.1 or later (except Mac OS X), access the Print or Page Setup dialog box, click the  Utility icon button, and then click the Nozzle Check button in the Utility dialog box.
For Mac OS X users, double-click the EPSON Printer Utility icon in the Applications folder in Macintosh HD (by default setting), select your printer, click OK in the Printer List window, and then click the Nozzle Check button in the Utility dialog box.

Follow the on-screen instructions.


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Using the control panel buttons

Follow the steps below to check the print head nozzles using the control panel buttons.

Turn off your printer.

Make sure that A4 or Letter size paper is loaded in the sheet feeder.

Hold down the maintenance button and press the  power button to turn on the printer. Then release only the  power button. When the printer starts the operation check, release the  maintenance button.

The printer prints an operation check page that includes your printer's ROM version information, the ink counter code, and a nozzle check pattern. Below are sample printouts.

  Good sample

  Print head needs to be cleaned

If the nozzle check page does not print satisfactorily, there is a problem with the printer. This could be a clogged ink nozzle or a misaligned print head. See Cleaning the Print Head for details on cleaning the print head. For information on aligning the print head, see Aligning the Print Head.


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Version 1.00E, Copyright © 2002, SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION