Reference Guide

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Troubleshooting

Diagnosing the Problem

Lights on the Control Panel
EPSON Status Monitor
Running a printer operation check

If the product is connected via the USB interface and you are having difficulty printing, the problem may be related to your USB connection. Refer to Correcting USB Problems for details.

If your problem is not USB related, 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 the online problem solving, the lights on the control panel, from the EPSON Status Utility, or by running a printer operation check. See the Quick Reference Guide for details on how to use the lights on the control panel to diagnose and solve hardware problems. See the remaining sections in this chapter for software related problems.

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 this product 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 Canceling Printing.

Lights on the Control Panel

You can identify many common problems by referring to the status of the lights on the control panel. Refer to the Quick Reference Guide for details.


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EPSON Status Monitor

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

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

When the ink runs low or 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.

If an error message indicating that parts inside this product are near the end of their service life appears, contact your dealer for replacement.


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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 this product or the computer.

Follow these steps.

Disconnect the USB cable from your computer.

Make sure that letter-size paper is loaded in the sheet feeder.

Press the On button while also pressing the Ink button.

This product prints an operation check page that includes a nozzle check pattern.

Compare the quality of the printed test page with the sample shown below. If there are no print quality problems, this product 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 test page does not print satisfactorily, there is a problem with this product. For example, if bands appear in the check pattern as shown below, an ink nozzle may be clogged or the print head may be misaligned. See "Cleaning the Print Head" in the Quick Reference Guide for details on cleaning the print head.


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Version 1.00E, Copyright © 2001, SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION