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Problem Solver

Diagnosing the Problem

Error indicators
Status Monitor
Running a printer operation check

Troubleshooting printer problems is best handled in two easy steps: first diagnose the problem, then apply likely solutions until the problem is fixed. The information that you need to diagnose the most common problems is provided by the Status Monitor utility.

Error indicators

You can identify many common printer problems using the lights on your printer's control panel. If the lights are on or flashing, use the following table of panel light patterns to diagnose the problem, then follow the recommended corrective measures.

Lights

Problem and Solution

Paper out

No paper is loaded in the printer.

Check EPSON Status Monitor 3 or EPSON StatusMonitor. Load paper in the sheet feeder, then press the  maintenance button. The printer resumes printing and the light goes out.

Paper jam

Paper has jammed in the printer.

Check EPSON Status Monitor 3 or EPSON StatusMonitor. Press the  maintenance button to eject the jammed paper. If the error does not clear, open the printer cover and remove all of the paper inside, including any torn pieces. Then, reload the paper in the sheet feeder and press the  maintenance button to resume printing.

Ink low

The black or color ink cartridge is nearly empty.

Obtain a replacement black or color ink cartridge. To see which cartridge is nearly empty, check the ink level using EPSON Status Monitor 3 or EPSON StatusMonitor.

Black ink cartridge:

T007 (Standard capacity)

T010 (Light capacity)

Color ink cartridge: T008

Ink out

The black or color ink cartridge is empty or not installed.

Replace the black or color ink cartridge with a new one. See Replacing an Ink Cartridge for details.

Black ink cartridge:

T007 (Standard capacity)

T010 (Light capacity)

Color ink cartridge: T008

Wrong cartridge

The installed black or color ink cartridge cannot be used by this printer.

Use the appropriate black or color ink cartridge. See Replacing an Ink Cartridge for details.

Black ink cartridge:

T007 (Standard capacity)

T010 (Light capacity)

Color ink cartridge: T008

Carriage error

The print head carriage is obstructed by jammed paper or other foreign material and cannot return to the home position.

Turn off the printer. Open the printer cover and remove any paper from the paper path by hand. Then, turn the printer back on.

If the error does not clear, contact your dealer.

Unknown printer error

An unknown printer error has occurred.

Turn off the printer and contact your dealer.


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Status Monitor

The Status Monitor utility provides status messages and a graphic display showing the current state of the printer.

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

When the ink is out, click the How To button in the Status Monitor or Progress Meter window and EPSON Status Monitor will lead you step-by-step through the cartridge replacement procedure.


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Running a printer operation check

Performing a printer operation check can help you determine whether the problem comes from the printer or the computer.

To print a printer operation check page, follow these steps.

Make sure both the printer and computer are turned off.

Disconnect the cable from the printer's interface connector.

If you use the parallel interface, unlock the wire clips on both sides of the interface connector and remove the ground connector, if necessary. Then disconnect the cable from the printer's interface connector.

Make sure that A4 or Letter size paper is loaded in the sheet feeder.

Hold down the  maintenance button and press the  power button to turn on the printer. Then, release only the power button first. When the printer starts the operation check, release the  maintenance button.

The printer prints an operation check page which includes the version of your printer's ROM, the ink counter code, and a nozzle check pattern.

Compare the quality of the printed check page with the sample shown below. If there are no print quality problems, such as gaps or missing segments in the test lines, the printer itself is all right 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 check page does not print satisfactorily as shown below, there is a problem with the printer. For example, if any segment of the printed lines is missing, this could mean a clogged ink nozzle or a misaligned print head.


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