Problems and Solutions

Here are some troubleshooting tips if you're having trouble setting up your scanner, scanning, or getting the quality you want from your scans.

Scanner Problems

The READY light doesn't come on or flashes.

The READY light flashes when scanning is in progress. If you are scanning a large file, wait for scanning to finish.

Make sure the scanner power cord is securely plugged into the scanner and the power outlet, and that the scanner is on. If the scanner was unplugged or off, restart your computer before trying to scan.

Check that the power outlet is working and provides sufficient power for the scanner.

If you're using a transparency unit or automatic document feeder and both the READY and ERROR lights are off, make sure your installed option is closed (lying flat against the scanner). Reconnect your unit to the OPTION connector on the back of the scanner.

Make sure your automatic document feeder isn't out of paper and doesn't have a paper jam.

Make sure you removed the shipping screw from the hole labeled CLAMP in your transparency unit.

Make sure the SCSI ID is set between 1 and 6. If you reset the SCSI ID switch on the back of the scanner, turn the scanner off and then on again.

You see an error message that there is no response from the scanner, or that you can't start EPSON Scan.

Check your cable connections. If your cable is securely connected to both the scanner and computer, try another cable, then restart your computer.

Make sure your scanner is on. If it was off, turn the scanner on first, then restart your computer before you try to scan.

If you have a USB connection, use the cable that came with the scanner. If your scanner is connected to a USB hub, connect it directly to the computer's USB port.

If you have a SCSI connection, turn off both your scanner and computer. Then turn on your scanner before you turn on the computer.

If you have a SCSI connection, make sure your SCSI board is installed correctly. For Windows, check the Device Manager to make sure the SCSI board is listed.

If the SCSI board is found, but not the scanner, check the terminator switch and SCSI ID switch on the back of the scanner. Make sure the SCSI ID doesn't conflict with another SCSI device. Unless the scanner is in the middle of a SCSI chain, the terminator switch should be set to ON.

If you've replaced your SCSI board or changed the SCSI ID, you may need to uninstall and reinstall your scanner software. See "Uninstalling and Reinstalling EPSON Scan".

Check for IRQ conflicts with built-in options.

Mac OS 8.6 to 9.x users: if you have an IEEE 1394 FireWire connection, make sure the following Extensions are enabled in the Extensions Manager: EPSON FW Scanner Enabler, EPSON FW Scanner Expert, and EPSON FW ScannerLib.

If you purchased the IEEE 1394 scanner interface card as an option, make sure that it is installed correctly. (See Installing the Card in Your Scanner.)

If all else fails, uninstall and reinstall your software. See "Uninstalling and Reinstalling EPSON Scan".

The scanner doesn't scan your image.

Make sure the scanner is ready to scan. Wait until the READY light stops flashing and remains on.

Make sure the scanner's transportation lock is in the UNLOCK position.

Windows users: check the Device Manager in the Windows Control Panel. If there is an Unknown Device icon, select it and click Remove.

If you're using photo-editing software like Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, make sure you select File > Import > EPSON Expression 1680 as your source. If you're using the SilverFast Plug-in with a program like Photoshop, select File > Import > SilverFast (Epson Expr 1680).

Make sure the SCSI ID switch on the back of the scanner is not set to the asterisk (*), and that it's set to a number that doesn't conflict with any other SCSI devices. If you reset the SCSI ID switch, turn the scanner off and then on again.

Make sure you have enough memory to scan your image. If you're scanning a large image or scanning at a high resolution, close any unnecessary programs. For Mac OS 8.6 to 9.x, try increasing the memory of the host application. If your computer still doesn't have enough memory to process the image, try scanning at a lower resolution, or select part of the image to scan. If you still cannot scan, you may need to upgrade your RAM.

If you have a ZIP drive, it may be interfering with your scanner. Disconnect your ZIP drive, restart your computer, then try scanning.

If you have the optional automatic document feeder, run EPSON Scan in Office Mode or Professional Mode, and select ADF as the Document Source. Also, make sure the original document is inserted face up.

When previewing a scan, you see a message that the document could not be located.

Software Problems

EPSON Scan doesn't work properly.

Make sure the system requirements are correct for your software. See System Requirements.

Check your computer's memory. If you're running other software at the same time, using RAM resident programs, or have many device drivers, the computer may not have enough memory. (See your software and computer manuals.) If you're scanning a large image or scanning at a high resolution, your computer may not have enough memory to process the image.

Check your software installation. Make sure that your software is correctly installed and set up. If all else fails, uninstall your software, then reinstall it.

You can't select ADF as the Document Source (Office Mode or Professional Mode).

Make sure the optional automatic document feeder is installed correctly and securely connected to the OPTION connector on the back of the scanner. If you need to reinstall or reconnect it, restart your computer afterward.

You can't select the correct Document Type for your film or slides.

Make sure the transparency unit is installed correctly and securely connected to the OPTION connector on the back of the scanner. If you need to reinstall or reconnect it, restart your computer afterward.

Quality Problems

The file size is too big.

Adjust your scan settings. Try setting at a lower resolution (dpi), or scan only part of the image.

Your scanned image is faint or has gaps.

Check the brightness. Decrease the software or driver's brightness setting.

Select Professional Mode and experiment with the

Image Adjustment setting.

Check the condition of your original. If the document is damaged, dirty, or wrinkled, these imperfections will show up in your scan.

Make sure the document is placed flat against the document table.

Your scanned image is blurred or distorted.

Check the position and condition of your document. Make sure the document is placed flat against the scanner's document table glass. If only part of the image is blurred, part of your document may be wrinkled or warped.

Make sure the document table glass is clean.

Make sure the scanner is on a flat, stable surface.

The edges of the document aren't scanned.

Don't place your document right up against the edges of the document table. Allow a little space (about 2 mm).

If colors are patchy or distorted at the edges of the image, the document may be too thick, or there may be outside light interfering with the scan.

Your image scans at an angle.

Check the position of your document. It may be placed at an angle on the document table. Align it so the horizontal and vertical edges are carefully aligned with the scales on the top and side of the document table.

Straight lines in the image come out jagged.

Make sure the document is aligned with the scales on the top and side of the document table.

A line of dots is missing from the image.

When a line of dots is missing
from the scanned image on your screen, the scanner sensor has malfunctioned. Contact your EPSON dealer.

When a line of dots is missing from your printouts, your printer has malfunctioned. See your printer manual.

The colors in your scanned image look different than the colors in the original document.

Experiment with the Unsharp Mask Filter setting in EPSON Scan (not available in Home Mode).

Make sure the Image Type setting is correct.

Try different combinations of gamma and color settings in EPSON Scan. Click the Configuration button at the bottom of the window, then make any changes on the
Color tab.

Moiré (cross-hatch) patterns appear in the image when you perform halftone scanning.

Make the image size slightly smaller.

In EPSON Scan, select the Descreening Filter checkbox in Home Mode or the Unsharp Mask checkbox in Professional or Office Mode.

Use a transparent sheet between the document and the document table to defocus
the image.

Reposition the document on
the document table. Try positioning the document at a slight angle.

The printed image is larger or smaller than the original.

You can't judge the size of the printed image by what you see on your screen. The image size settings in your scanner software determine the size of the printed image.

You can't print scanned images, or the printed image looks garbled.

Make sure your printer is securely connected to your computer and that you're using the correct cable.

Make sure the correct printer is selected in your printer software.

The image doesn't scan, or you can only scan a few dots.

Make sure the document is face down on the document table.

If you're using an automatic document feeder, make sure the original document is inserted face up.

You're using a transparency unit, and the colors of your negative film preview look strange.

Make sure you've selected the correct Document Type in EPSON Scan.

The scanner perceives the film guide's frame as white, which alters the exposure of the scanning area and makes the preview appear darker. To see the correct colors, do a zoom preview on an area toward the center of an image.

If you see light vertical lines on the scanned image, the TPU calibration area (the small rectangle of glass above the document table) may contain dirt or dust. Clean the calibration area with a lint-free cloth.