Problems and Solutions

Tip: It's a good idea to check EPSON's support web site periodically for free updates to your printer driver. Visit http://support.epson.com. Download instructions are posted for your convenience.

The printer makes noise after ink cartridge installation.

The first time you install ink cartridges, the printer must charge its print head for about 90 seconds. Wait until charging finishes (the green

power light stops flashing) before you turn off the printer, or it may charge improperly and use excess ink the next time you turn it on.

If the printer stops moving or making noise, but the green power light is still flashing after 5 minutes, turn off the printer. If the light is still flashing when you turn it back on, contact EPSON as described in Where To Get Help.

Turn off the printer, then make sure the ink cartridge clamps are locked down completely and no packing material remains in the printer. Wait a moment, then turn the printer back on to clear the error.

You're having problems installing the printer software.

Make sure your printer is turned on and the USB cable is securely connected at both ends. Then carefully follow the installation instructions on the Start Here sheet or the Installing Software for Windows 98, Windows Me, and Windows 2000 booklet. Also make sure your system meets the requirements listed in System Requirements.

Close your other programs, including any screen savers and virus protection software, and install again.

If you're running Macintosh OS 8.6 to 9.x and your printer icon (C44 Series) doesn't appear in the Macintosh Chooser, you may have too many items in the Chooser. Delete any unused items and check the Chooser again.

For Windows 2000, if you see an error message or your software doesn't install correctly, you may not have software installation privileges. Contact your System Administrator.

In Windows 2000 or XP, don't select Block under Control Panel > System > Hardware > Driver Signing; select Ignore or Warn instead.

Make sure your Windows system was not upgraded from Windows 95. The USB Printer Device Driver may not install correctly.

Make sure the USB Controller is working properly in Device Manager. See your Windows help system for details. If it's not working, contact your computer manufacturer.

Printer Problems

Only the green

power light is on, but nothing prints.

Make sure the USB cable is connected securely and that the cable meets the requirements listed in System Requirements.

Run a printer check as described in Running a Printer Check. If the check page prints, make sure your software is installed correctly.

The printer sounds as though it is printing, but nothing prints.

Make sure the print head nozzles are not clogged. To clean the print head, see Cleaning the Print Head.

The printer won't operate properly if it's tilted or at an angle. Place it on a flat, stable surface that extends beyond the printer base in all directions.

Your printer makes noise when you turn it on or after it has been sitting for awhile.

Printing is too slow.

Make sure your system meets the requirements listed in System Requirements. If you're printing a high-resolution image, you need more than the minimum requirements listed. You may also need to:

Clear space on your hard drive or run a defragmentation utility.

Close programs that you're not using.

Increase your system's memory.

Choose black ink in your printer software if your document doesn't include color.

For Windows, choose Draft for Quality Type.

For Macintosh, set the Quality/Speed slider to Speed.

If your printer is connected to a hub, disconnect unused USB devices.

Print Quality Problems

You see banding (light lines).

The print head nozzles may need cleaning; see Cleaning the Print Head for instructions.

Make sure the paper Type or Media Type setting matches the paper you loaded; see Selecting the Correct Paper Type for guidelines.

Make sure the printable side of the paper is face up. It's usually whiter or shinier.

The ink cartridges may need replacing; see Replacing an Ink Cartridge for instructions.

If you have a Macintosh, try using Automatic mode. See Printing With Macintosh OS X or Printing With Macintosh OS 8.6 to 9.x for instructions.

Run the Print Head Alignment utility; see Aligning the Print Head for instructions.

Your printout is blurry or smeared.

Make sure your paper isn't damp or curled, or loaded face down (the printable side should be face up).

Use a support sheet with special paper, or try loading your paper one sheet at a time.

Use EPSON papers to ensure proper saturation and absorption of genuine EPSON inks.

Remove each sheet from the output tray as it is printed, especially if you're printing on transparencies.

Avoid handling printouts on glossy paper or transparencies for a few hours to allow the ink to set.

If ink smears on the back of a printout, clean the inside of the printer as described in Cleaning the Printer.

Your printout is faint or has gaps.

The print head nozzles may need cleaning; see Cleaning the Print Head for instructions.

The ink cartridges may be old or low on ink. See Replacing an Ink Cartridge for details.

Make sure the paper Type or Media Type setting matches the paper you loaded. See Selecting the Correct Paper Type for guidelines.

Make sure your paper isn't damaged, old, dirty, or loaded face down. If it is, reload a new stack of paper with the printable side up; it is usually whiter or shinier than the other side.

You see wrong or missing colors.

Make sure your printer software is not set to use black ink only.

The print head nozzles may need cleaning; see Cleaning the Print Head for instructions.

The ink cartridges may be old or low on ink. See Replacing an Ink Cartridge for details.

Try turning off PhotoEnhance.

For Macintosh, try using Automatic mode.

For Macintosh, try changing the Gamma setting; see Printing With Macintosh OS X or Printing With Macintosh OS 8.6 to 9.x.

Your printed colors can never exactly match your on-screen colors. However, you can use a color management system to get as close as possible. Try using the ICM (Windows) or ColorSync (Macintosh) setting.

Your printout is grainy.

Try using a higher quality paper.

Select Photo RPM for Quality Type (Windows) or Print Quality (Macintosh). Remember that this setting increases print time.

Run the Print Head Alignment utility; see Aligning the Print Head for instructions.

You may need to increase the image resolution or print it in a smaller size; see your software documentation.

Paper Feeding Problems

Paper doesn't eject fully or is wrinkled.

If the paper doesn't eject fully, you may have set the wrong paper size. Press the

maintenance button to eject the paper, and then select the correct paper size.

If it's wrinkled when it ejects, the paper may be damp or too thin. See Paper for paper specifications.

Paper doesn't feed correctly or jams in the printer.

If paper doesn't feed, remove it from the sheet feeder. Reload it against the right edge, behind the tabs, then slide the left edge guide against the paper.

If multiple pages feed at once, remove the paper from the sheet feeder, fan the edges to separate the sheets, then reload it.

If paper jams, press the

maintenance button for several seconds to clear the jam. If that doesn't work, open the cover and pull the paper out from the front, including small pieces that may have torn off. Reload the paper and press the

maintenance button.

Use new, smooth, high-quality paper, loaded printable side up.

Fan the edges of the stack of paper to separate the sheets.

Don't load paper above the arrow mark inside the left edge guide.

Place the paper against the right edge behind the tab. Slide the left edge guide against it, but not too tightly.

Miscellaneous Printout Problems

The image is inverted, as if viewed in a mirror.

Turn off the mirror setting in your application program.

For Macintosh, turn off Flip Horizontal in the Advanced window of your printer driver (Macintosh OS 8.6 to 9.x) or Print Settings window (Macintosh OS X).

The printer prints blank pages.

Make sure your printer is selected in Windows. For Macintosh OS X, open the Print Center and make sure your printer is selected in the Printer List. For Macintosh OS 9.x or earlier, make sure your printer is selected in the Chooser.

The print head nozzles may need cleaning; see Cleaning the Print Head for instructions.

The margins are incorrect.

Make sure the paper settings are correct for your paper size. For instructions, see Printing in Windows, Printing With Macintosh OS X, or Printing With Macintosh OS 8.6 to 9.x.

Use the Print Preview option in your printer software to check your margins before you print.

Make sure your paper is positioned next to the right side of the feeder.

You see incorrect characters.

Make sure the USB cable is securely connected and meets the requirements in System Requirements. Then try printing again.

Make sure your printer is selected in your software, or is set as the active printer in the Macintosh Chooser (OS 8.6 to 9.x) or Print Center (OS X).

If you're using a switch box or USB hub with your printer, connect the printer directly to your computer.