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Printing / Improving the Print Quality

Cleaning the Print Head

Using the Head Cleaning utility
Using the control panel buttons

If you find that the printout is unexpectedly faint or some dots are missing, you may be able to solve these problems by cleaning the print head, which ensures that the nozzles are delivering ink properly.

You can clean the print head from your computer using the Head Cleaning utility in the printer software or from this product itself by using the control panel buttons.

Note:

Print head cleaning uses both color and black inks. To avoid wasting ink, clean the print head only if the copy quality drops (for example, blurred printout, incorrect or missing color.)

Use the nozzle check first to confirm that the print head needs to be cleaned. This saves ink.

When the Error light is on and a message appears on the LCD panel to prompt you to replace the ink cartridge or to indicate the ink is low, you cannot clean the print head. In this case, replace the appropriate ink cartridge first.

Using the Head Cleaning utility

Refer to the appropriate section below to use the Head Cleaning utility.

For Windows

Follow the steps below to clean the print head using the Head Cleaning utility.

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

Make sure that this product is turned on and the Error light is off.

Access the printer software.

Accessing the Printer Software for Windows

Click the Maintenance tab, then click the Head Cleaning button.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

The On light flashes while this product performs the cleaning cycle.

Caution:

Never turn off this product while the On light is flashing. Doing so may damage this product.

When the On light stops flashing, load a few sheets of paper and click Print Nozzle Check Pattern in the Head Cleaning dialog box to confirm that the print head is clean.

Below are sample printouts.

Good sample

Print head needs to be cleaned

If the nozzle check page does not print satisfactorily, you may need to repeat the head cleaning and print the nozzle check pattern again. See Cleaning the Print Head.

Note:

If the copy quality has not improved after repeating this procedure four or five times, turn this product off and leave it alone overnight. Then, perform the nozzle check again and repeat the head cleaning if necessary.

If the copy quality still has not improved, one or both of your ink cartridges may be old or damaged and may need to be replaced. To replace an ink cartridge before it is empty, see Replacing an Ink Cartridge. If the copy quality remains a problem after replacing the ink cartridges, contact your dealer.

To maintain good copy quality, we recommend copying a few pages at least once every month.

For Mac OS 8.6 to 9.x

Follow the steps below to clean the print head using the Head Cleaning utility.

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

Make sure that this product is turned on and the Error light is off.

Access the Print or Page Setup dialog box.

Accessing the Printer Software for Mac OS 8.6 to 9.x

Click the Utility icon button, then click the Head Cleaning button.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

The On light flashes while the printer performs the cleaning cycle.

Caution:

Never turn off this product while the On light is flashing. Doing so may damage this product.

When the On light stops flashing, click the Confirmation button in the Head Cleaning dialog box to print a nozzle check pattern. Use the check pattern to confirm that the print head is clean.

Below are sample printouts.

Good sample

Print head needs to be cleaned

If the nozzle check page does not print satisfactorily, you may need to repeat the head cleaning and print the nozzle check pattern again. See Cleaning the Print Head.

For Mac OS X

Follow the steps below to clean the print head using the Head Cleaning utility.

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

Make sure that this product is turned on and the Error light is off.

Access the EPSON Printer Utility dialog box.

Accessing the Printer Software for Mac OS X

Select this product, then click OK in the Printer List window.

Click the Head Cleaning button in the Utility dialog box.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

The On light flashes while this product performs the cleaning cycle.

Caution:

Never turn off this product while the On light is flashing. Doing so may damage this product.

When the On light stops flashing, click the Confirmation button in the Head Cleaning dialog box to print a nozzle check pattern. Use the check pattern to confirm that the print head is clean.

Below are sample printouts.

Good sample

Print head needs to be cleaned

If the nozzle check page does not print satisfactorily, you may need to repeat the head cleaning and print the nozzle check pattern again. See Cleaning the Print Head.

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Using the control panel buttons

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

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

Make sure that this product is turned on and the Error light is off.

Press one of the Menu buttons repeatedly until Head Cleaning appears on the LCD panel, and press the Color Copy button.

Print head cleaning starts and the On light begins flashing.

Caution:

Never turn off this product while the On light is flashing. Doing so may damage this product.

When the On light stops flashing, print a nozzle check pattern to confirm that the head is clean. See Checking the Print Head Nozzles.

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