Reference Guide

Index	Search	Glossary

TOC	Help

Problem Solver

Diagnosing the Problem

Online problem solving
Error indicators and display
EPSON Status Monitor
Running a printer operation check

For the problem that may be related to USB connections, refer to Correcting USB Problems for details.

If your problem is not USB related, troubleshooting printer problems is best handled in two easy steps: first diagnose the problem, then apply likely solutions until the problem is fixed.

The information that you need to diagnose and solve most common problems is provided by online problem solving, the printer's control panel, the EPSON Status Monitor utility, or by running a printer operation check. Refer to the appropriate section below.

If you have a specific problem relating to print quality, a printout problem not related to print quality, or a paper feeding problem, or if the printer does not print at all, refer to the appropriate section in this chapter.

To solve a problem, you may need to cancel printing. For details, see Cancelling Printing.

Online problem solving

You can use online problem solving to diagnose and solve most of the problems you may encounter. Refer to the appropriate section below.

For Windows users

The Problem Solver provides you with tips to help solve any problems you may encounter when using your printer. Depending on your location, the Problem Solver may not be accessible. In this case, you can access Technical Support Web Site instead of the Problem Solver.

If you encounter a problem, access the Problem Solver or Technical Support in one of the following ways:

From the Windows Start menu

Click Start, point to Programs and then to Epson, then click ESP 785EPX Problem Solver or Technical Support.

From Status Monitor 3

Click Technical Support in the Status Monitor 3 dialog box.

From your printer software

Click Technical Support on the Main menu of the printer software.

If you access the Problem Solver and cannot solve your problem, contact Technical Support for assistance by clicking the Technical Support Web Site link in the Problem Solver.

For Macintosh users

EPSON's Technical Support Web Site provides help with problems that cannot be solved using the troubleshooting information in your printer documentation.

To access Technical Support, insert the CD in the CD-ROM drive. Scroll down the screen and open the Disk 1 folder in the Printer Driver folder, then double-click the Technical Support Web Site icon.

[Top]

Error indicators and display

You can identify many common printer problems using the lights or display on your printer's control panel. If the lights are on or flashing, use the following table of panel light patterns to diagnose the problem, then implement the recommended corrective measures.

Lights		Problem and Solution
		Paper out
		No paper is loaded in the printer.	Check EPSON Status Monitor 3 or EPSON StatusMonitor. Load paper in the sheet feeder, then press the maintenance button. The printer will resume printing and the light will go out.
		Paper jam
		Paper has jammed in the printer.	Check EPSON Status Monitor 3 or EPSON StatusMonitor. Press the maintenance button to eject the jammed paper. If the error does not clear, open the printer cover and remove all of the paper inside, including any torn pieces. Reload the paper in the sheet feeder and press the maintenance button to resume printing.
		Ink low
		The black or color ink cartridge is nearly empty.	Obtain a replacement black or color ink cartridge. To determine which cartridge is nearly empty, check the ink level using EPSON Status Monitor 3 or EPSON StatusMonitor. Black: T007 (Standard Capacity) T010 (Light Capacity) Color: T008
		Ink out
		The black or color ink cartridge is empty or not installed.	Replace the black or color ink cartridge with a new one. See Replacing an Ink Cartridge for details. Black: T007 (Standard Capacity) T010 (Light Capacity) Color: T008
		Wrong cartridge
		The installed black or color ink cartridge cannot be used by this printer.	Use the appropriate black or color ink cartridge. See Replacing an Ink Cartridge for details. Black: T007 (Standard Capacity) T010 (Light Capacity) Color: T008
	Processing	Carriage error
		The print head carriage is obstructed by jammed paper or other foreign material and cannot return to the home position.	Turn off the printer. Open the printer cover and remove any paper from the paper path by hand, then, turn the printer back on. If the error does not clear, contact your dealer.
	Processing	Unknown printer error
		An unknown printer error has occurred.	Turn off the printer and contact your dealer.

Display	Problem	Solution
	The black ink cartridge is nearly empty.	Obtain a replacement black ink cartridge.
	The color ink cartridge is nearly empty.	Obtain a replacement color ink cartridge.
	The black ink cartridge is empty.	Replace the black ink cartridge with a new one.
	The color ink cartridge is empty.	Replace the color ink cartridge with a new one.
	No paper is loaded in the printer.	Load paper in the sheet feeder; then press the maintenance button to turn this light off. The printer resumes printing.
	Paper has jammed in the printer.	Take all the paper out of the feeder, and reload the paper; then press the maintenance button to turn this light off. If the light continues to flash, turn off the printer and gently pull all the paper out of the printer. If it tears and pieces remain inside the printer, open the printer cover and remove the pieces of paper. Turn on the printer and try again.
	The black or/and color ink cartridge is not installed properly.	Reinstall cartridge.
	Internal printer parts need adjustment or replacement.	Turn the printer off, and after a few seconds, turn it on again. If the error is not cleared, contact your dealer.
	The storage media or PC card is not compatible with this printer.	Use a compatible storage media or PC card. See Loadable storage media.
	An unknown printer error has occurred.	Turn the printer off, and after a few seconds, turn it on again. If the error is not cleared, contact your dealer.

[Top]

EPSON Status Monitor

The EPSON Status Monitor utility provides status messages and a graphic display showing the current status of the printer.

If a problem occurs while printing, an error message will appear in the Progress Meter window.

When the ink is out, click the How To button in the EPSON Status Monitor or Progress Meter window, and EPSON Status Monitor will lead you step-by-step through the cartridge replacement procedure.

[Top]

Running a printer operation check

If you are unable to determine the source of the problem, performing a printer operation check can help you determine whether the problem comes from the printer or the computer.

To print a printer operation check page, follow these steps.

Make sure both the printer and computer are turned off.

Disconnect the cable from the printer's interface connector.

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. Release only the power button. After the printer starts the operation check, release the maintenance button.

The printer will print an operation check page which includes the version of your printer's ROM, the ink counter code, and a nozzle check pattern.

Compare the quality of the printed check page with the sample shown below. If there are no print quality problems, such as gaps or missing segments in the test lines, the printer itself is fine and the problem probably lies with the printer software settings, the application settings, the interface cable (be sure to use a shielded cable), or the computer itself.

If the check page does not print satisfactorily as shown below, there is a problem with the printer. For example, if any segment of the printed lines is missing, this could mean a clogged ink nozzle or a misaligned print head.

[Top]