User's Guide
Improving Print Quality
Improving Print Quality
Checking and Cleaning the Print Head
If the nozzles are clogged, the printouts become faint, there is visible banding, or unexpected colors appear. When print quality has declined, use the nozzle check feature and check if the nozzles are clogged. If the nozzles are clogged, clean the print head.
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Important:
Do not open the printer cover or turn off the printer during head cleaning. If the head cleaning is incomplete, you may not be able to print.
Note:
❏ Because print head cleaning uses some ink, clean the print head only if quality declines.
❏ When ink is low, you may not be able to clean the print head. Prepare a new ink bottle.
❏ If print quality has not improved after repeating nozzle check and head cleaning three times, wait for at least 12 hours
without printing, and then run the nozzle check again and repeat the head cleaning if necessary. If the printer operates printing while waiting, extend the waiting time. We recommend to turn off the printer. If print quality has still not improved, contact Epson support.
❏ To prevent the print head from drying out, always turn the printer off by pressing the
P
button.
❏ To keep the print head operating at its best, we recommend printing a few pages on a regular basis.
Checking and Cleaning the Print Head - Control Panel
1.
Make sure that the CD/DVD tray is not inserted in the printer, and that the tray lever is in the up position.
2.
Load A4-size plain paper in the printer.
3.
Enter Setup from the home screen using the l
or r
button, and then press the OK button.
4.
Select Maintenance using the u
or d
button, and then press the OK button.
5.
Select Nozzle Check using the u
or d
button, and then press the OK button.
6.
Follow the on-screen instructions to print the nozzle check pattern.
7.
Compare the printed check pattern with the sample shown below.
❏ All lines are printed: The print head nozzles are not clogged. Select Finish Nozzle Check using the u
or d button, and then press the OK button.
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❏ There are broken lines or missing segments: The print head nozzles may be clogged. Go to the next step.
Note:
The test pattern may vary by model.
8.
Select Head Cleaning using the u
or d
button, and then press the OK button.
9.
Follow the on-screen instructions to clean the print head.
10. When cleaning is finished, select Nozzle Check using the u
or d
button, and then follow the on-screen instructions to print the nozzle check pattern again. Repeat cleaning and printing the pattern until all lines are printed completely.
Related Information
&
“Loading Paper in the Rear Paper Feed” on page 24
Checking and Cleaning the Print Head - Windows
1.
Make sure that the CD/DVD tray is not inserted in the printer, and that the tray lever is in the up position.
2.
Load A4-size plain paper in the printer.
3.
Access the printer driver window.
4.
Click Nozzle Check on the Maintenance tab.
5.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Related Information
&
“Loading Paper in the Rear Paper Feed” on page 24
&
“Windows Printer Driver” on page 69
Checking and Cleaning the Print Head - Mac OS X
1.
Make sure that the CD/DVD tray is not inserted in the printer, and that the tray lever is in the up position.
2.
Load A4-size plain paper in the printer.
3.
Select System Preferences from the menu > Printers & Scanners (or Print & Scan, Print & Fax), and then select the printer.
4.
Click Options & Supplies > Utility > Open Printer Utility.
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5.
Click Nozzle Check.
6.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Related Information
&
“Loading Paper in the Rear Paper Feed” on page 24
Replacing Ink inside the Ink Tubes
If you have not used the printer for a long time and notice banding or missing colors in the printouts, you may need to replace the ink inside the ink tubes to solve the problem. The Power Ink Flushing utility allows you to replace all of the ink inside the ink tubes.
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Important:
This feature consumes a lot of ink. Before using this feature, make sure there is enough ink in the printer’s ink tanks.
If there is not enough ink, refill the ink tanks.
!
Caution:
❏ This feature effects the service life of the ink pad. Ink pad reaches its capacity earlier by running this feature.
Contact Epson or an authorised Epson service provider to request replacement before the end of its service life. It is not a user-serviceable part.
❏ After using the Power Ink Flushing utility, turn the printer off and wait for at least 12 hours. Using this feature
improves the print quality after 12 hours, however it cannot be used again within 12 hours of the last use. If you still cannot solve the problem after trying all of the methods above, contact Epson support.
Replacing Ink inside the Ink Tubes - Windows
1.
Make sure that the CD/DVD tray is not inserted in the printer, and that the tray lever is in the up position.
2.
Access the printer driver window.
3.
Click Power Ink Flushing on the Maintenance tab.
4.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Related Information
&
“Windows Printer Driver” on page 69
Replacing Ink inside the Ink Tubes - Mac OS X
1.
Make sure that the CD/DVD tray is not inserted in the printer, and that the tray lever is in the up position.
2.
Select System Preferences from the menu > Printers & Scanners (or Print & Scan, Print & Fax), and then select the printer.
3.
Click Options & Supplies > Utility > Open Printer Utility.
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4.
Click Power Ink Flushing.
5.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Aligning the Print Head
If you notice a misalignment of vertical lines or blurred images, align the print head.
Aligning the Print Head - Control Panel
1.
Make sure that the CD/DVD tray is not inserted in the printer, and that the tray lever is in the up position.
2.
Load A4-size plain paper in the printer.
3.
Enter Setup from the home screen using the l
or r
button, and then press the OK button.
4.
Select Maintenance using the u
or d
button, and then press the OK button.
5.
Select Head Alignment using the u
or d
button, and then press the OK button.
6.
Follow the on-screen instructions to print the alignment pattern.
7.
Follow the on-screen instructions to align the print head. Find and select the number for the most solid pattern in each group using the u
or d
button, and then press the OK button.
Note:
❏ The test pattern may vary by model.
❏ If print quality is not improved, align the print head from a computer.
Related Information
&
“Loading Paper in the Rear Paper Feed” on page 24
Aligning the Print Head - Windows
1.
Make sure that the CD/DVD tray is not inserted in the printer, and that the tray lever is in the up position.
2.
Load A4-size plain paper in the printer.
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3.
Access the printer driver window.
4.
Click Print Head Alignment on the Maintenance tab.
5.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Related Information
&
“Loading Paper in the Rear Paper Feed” on page 24
Aligning the Print Head - Mac OS X
1.
Make sure that the CD/DVD tray is not inserted in the printer, and that the tray lever is in the up position.
2.
Load A4-size plain paper in the printer.
3.
Select System Preferences from the menu > Printers & Scanners (or Print & Scan, Print & Fax), and then select the printer.
4.
Click Options & Supplies > Utility > Open Printer Utility.
5.
Click Print Head Alignment.
6.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Related Information
&
“Loading Paper in the Rear Paper Feed” on page 24
Cleaning the Paper Path
When the printouts are smeared or scuffed or paper does not feed correctly, clean the roller inside.
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Important:
Do not use tissue paper to clean the inside of the printer. The print head nozzles may be clogged with lint.
1.
Make sure that the CD/DVD tray is not inserted in the printer, and that the tray lever is in the up position.
2.
Load paper for cleaning in the printer.
❏ Load A4-size plain paper to clear a smearing or scuffing problem.
❏ Load the cleaning sheet that came with Epson paper to clear a paper feeding problem. If you do not have the cleaning sheet, use plain paper instead.
3.
Enter Setup from the home screen using the l
or r
button, and then press the OK button.
4.
Select Maintenance using the u
or d
button, and then press the OK button.
5.
Select Paper Guide Cleaning using the u
or d
button, and then press the OK button.
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6.
Follow the on-screen instructions to clean the roller inside.
Note:
❏ Repeat this procedure until the paper is not smeared with ink.
❏ To clear a paper feeding problem, repeat this procedure two or three times.
❏ The cleaning sheet loses effect when used three times or more.
Related Information
&
“Loading Paper in the Rear Paper Feed” on page 24
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