Cleaning the Print Head Using a Computer Utility

You can clean the print head using a utility on your Windows or Mac computer.
  1. Make sure no product lights are indicating errors.
  2. Load a few sheets of plain paper in the product.
  3. Do one of the following:
    • Windows: Access the Windows Desktop and right-click the icon for your product in the right side of the Windows taskbar, or click the up arrow and right-click .
    • Mac: In the Apple menu or the Dock, select System Preferences. Select Print & Fax, Print & Scan, or Printers & Scanners, select your product, and select Options & Supplies. Select Utility and select Open Printer Utility.
  4. Select Print Head Cleaning. You see a window like this:


  5. Click Start to begin the cleaning cycle.
    Caution:
    Never turn off the product or open the front cover during a cleaning cycle or you may not be able to print.
  6. When the cleaning cycle is finished, you can check to see if the nozzles are clean; click Print Nozzle Check Pattern and click Print.
  7. Check the printed pattern to see if there are gaps in the lines.

    Print head is clean



    Print head needs cleaning



    Print head needs Power Cleaning



    • If there are no gaps, click Finish.
    • If there are gaps or the pattern is faint, click Clean to clean the print head again.
    • If almost the entire pattern is missing, click Finish and perform a Power Cleaning.

If you don’t see any improvement after cleaning the print head up to 3 times, turn off the product and wait at least 12 hours. Then check the print head nozzles and try cleaning the print head again. If quality still does not improve, run a Power Cleaning. If there is still no improvement, contact Epson support.

Related concepts
Power Cleaning
Related tasks
Loading Paper in the Sheet Feeder
Checking the Nozzles Using a Computer Utility
Related references
Where to Get Help