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Problem Solver

Print Quality Problems

Horizontal banding
Vertical misalignment or banding
Color gaps
Incorrect or missing colors
Blurry or smeared printout
Print quality does not improve after head cleaning

If you are having print quality problems, first perform a . Then, compare your test printing with the illustrations below. Click the caption under the illustration that best resembles your printout.

Horizontal banding	Vertical misalignment or banding
Horizontal banding	Vertical misalignment or banding
Color gaps	Incorrect or missing colors
Blurry or smeared printout

Horizontal banding

Try one or more of these solutions:

• Make sure that the printable side of the paper is face up in the sheet feeder.

• Run the Head Cleaning utility to clear any clogged ink nozzles.

• Clear all customized settings, and then select the Text & Image setting under Quality Type on your printer software's Main menu (Windows) or select the Automatic setting under Mode in the Print dialog box (Macintosh).

• Check the  error light. If the light is flashing, replace the appropriate ink cartridge.
  Replacing an Ink Cartridge

• Make sure that the Minimize Margins setting is not selected under More Options in the Page Layout menu (Windows) or that the Maximum setting is not selected as the Printable Area in your printer software (Macintosh). When this setting is selected, banding may occur in the expanded area.

• Make sure that the Media Type selected in the printer software is appropriate for the type of media loaded in the printer.

• Make sure the MicroWeave check box is selected when available in the Advanced dialog box (Macintosh).
  For Macintosh users, Making Advanced settings

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Vertical misalignment or banding

Try one or more of these solutions:

• Make sure that the printable side of the paper is face up in the sheet feeder.

• Run the Print Head Alignment utility.
  Aligning the Print Head

• Clear the High Speed check box in the Advanced dialog box.

• Run the Head Cleaning utility to clear any clogged ink nozzles.
  Cleaning the Print Head

• Make sure that the Media Type setting selected in the printer software is appropriate for the type of media loaded in the printer.

• Make sure that the MicroWeave check box is selected when available in the Advanced dialog box (Macintosh).

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Color gaps

Try one or more of these solutions:

• Make sure that your paper is not damaged, dirty, or too old. Also, make sure that the printable side of the paper is face up in the sheet feeder.

• Run the Head Cleaning utility to clear any clogged ink nozzles.

• Check the  error light. If the light is flashing, replace the appropriate ink cartridge.
  Replacing an Ink Cartridge.

• Adjust the color settings in your application or in your printer software's Advanced dialog box.
  For Windows users, Making Advanced settings
  For Macintosh users, Making Advanced settings

• Clear all customized settings, and then select the Text & Image setting under Quality Type on your printer software's Main menu (Windows) or select the Automatic setting under Mode in the Print dialog box (Macintosh).

• Make sure that the Media Type setting selected in the printer software is appropriate for the type of media that is loaded in the printer.

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Incorrect or missing colors

Try one or more of these solutions:

• Change the Ink setting in your printer software to Color.

• Adjust the color settings in your application or in your printer software's Advanced dialog box.

• Run the Head Cleaning utility.
  Cleaning the Print Head.
  If colors are still incorrect or missing, replace the color ink cartridge. If the problem persists, replace the black ink cartridge.
  Replacing an Ink Cartridge

• Do not use ink cartridges beyond the expiration data printed on the cartridge package. Also, if the printer has not been used for a long time, replace the ink cartridges.
  Replacing an Ink Cartridge

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Blurry or smeared printout

Try one or more of these solutions:

• Make sure that you are using the appropriate printer driver for your printer.

• Use only paper recommended by EPSON.

• Make sure that the printer is on a flat, stable surface that extends beyond the printer base in all directions. The printer will not operate properly if it is tilted.

• Make sure that your paper is not damaged, dirty, or too old. Also, make sure that the printable side of the paper is face up in the sheet feeder.

• Make sure that your paper is dry and that the printable side is facing up. Also, make sure that you are using an acceptable paper type.
  Paper

• Clear all customized settings, and then select the Text & Image setting under Quality Type on your printer software's Main menu (Windows) or select the Automatic setting under Mode in the Print dialog box (Macintosh).

• If the paper is curled toward the printable side, flatten it or curl it slightly toward the opposite side.

• Remove each sheet from the output tray as it is printed, especially if you are using transparencies.

• If you are printing on glossy media or transparencies, place a support sheet (or a sheet of plain paper) beneath the stack. Or, load only one sheet at a time.

• Run the Head Cleaning utility.
  Cleaning the Print Head

• Run the Print Head Alignment utility.
  Aligning the Print Head

• Load and eject dry paper several times. If the problem persists, ink may have leaked inside the printer, so wipe the inside of the printer with a soft, clean cloth.

Warning:

Be careful not to touch the gears inside the printer.

Caution:

Be careful not to wipe the carriage shaft.

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Print quality does not improve after head cleaning

If the quality of your printouts remains poor even after repeatedly cleaning and aligning the print head, one or some of the ink cartridges may be old or damaged and should be replaced.

To replace an ink cartridge before the Status Monitor notifies you that the cartridge is empty.
Replacing an Ink Cartridge

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