Problems and Solutions
Setup and Software Installation Problems
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 cartridges are inserted completely and the ink cartridge cover is closed completely. Also make sure 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. 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 using Windows 2000 and you see an error message or your software doesn't install correctly, you may not have software installation privileges. Contact your System Administrator.
- 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.
You don't see the printer icon in the lower right corner of your screen (taskbar) in Windows.
Try restarting your computer. If you still don't see the icon, follow these steps:
- Click Start, point to Settings or Printers and Faxes, then select Printers.
- Right-click your printer and select Printing Preferences.
- Click the Maintenance tab.
- Click the Speed and Progress button, then click the Monitoring Preferences button.
- Click the Shortcut Icon checkbox. Then click OK to close the open windows.
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 system requirements.
- Run 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. If they are clogged, clean 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.
Your printer is performing routine maintenance.
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.
For the fastest printing, try these tips:
- Choose black ink in your printer software if your document doesn't include color.
- Choose Draft as the Quality Option.
- If your printer is connected to a hub, disconnect unused USB devices.
Print Quality Problems
You see banding (light lines).
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.
- Make sure your paper meets the specifications listed in Paper.
- 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.
- If you are using double-sided paper and printing heavily saturated or dark images on the front side of the paper, you may notice that smudges or marks appear on the front when you print the second side. If one side of the paper will contain a lighter image or text, print that side first to eliminate marks or smudging.
- Load a new sheet of plain paper and press the
paper button to eject it. Do this several times. If you still have a problem, ink may have leaked inside of the printer. Open the printer cover and clean printer.
Your printout is faint or has gaps.
- The print head nozzles may need cleaning.
- 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 brighter or whiter than the other side. For best results, use genuine Epson papers.
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.
- Try turning off PhotoEnhance.tm
- 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 setting.
Your printout is grainy.
- Make sure the printable side of the paper is face up. It's usually brighter or whiter.
- Try using a higher quality paper or select a higher Quality Option setting.
- Select Photo RPM as the Quality Option. Remember that this setting increases print time.
- You may need to increase the image resolution or print it in a smaller size; see your software documentation.
Some parts of your print are not as glossy as others.
Because of the nature of pigment inks, the degree of gloss may be uneven on glossy photo papers. Gloss decreases with greater pigment saturation.
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
paper 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 the 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
paper 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
paper button.
- Heavily saturated prints may curl, causing a paper jam when printing on both sides of the paper.
If your paper loads incorrectly or jams frequently:
- 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.
- If you're printing on both sides of the paper, try loading fewer sheets.
Miscellaneous Printout Problems
The image is inverted, as if viewed in a mirror.
- Turn off the mirror setting in your application program.
- Turn off Mirror Image in the Page Layout window of your printer driver.
The printer prints blank pages.
The margins are incorrect.
- 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.
Output is not what you expect when printing borderless photos.
Make sure you are printing on either Glossy Photo Paper or DURABrite Ink Glossy Photo Paper only. See Printing 4 × 6 Borderless Photos for more information.
Too many copies are printing.
Make sure that the Copies option in your printer software or program is not set for multiple copies.
You see incorrect characters.
- Make sure the USB cable is securely connected and meets the system requirements. Then try printing again.
- Make sure your printer is selected in your software.
- If you're using a switch box or USB hub with your printer, connect the printer directly to your computer.
There are scratches on your print.
If you're printing on glossy photo paper, prints may be scratched if not handled properly. Don't place objects on top of your prints, and be careful not to scratch them with your fingernails. For best results, frame your prints under glass.
