Solving Problems


Diagnosing Problems

Checking the LCD Screen

You can diagnose and solve most problems by checking the error messages on the LCD screen. If you can't solve the problems by checking the messages, use the following table and try the recommended solution.

Error message
Solution
A printer error has occurred. See your documentation.
Paper may be blocking movement of the print head. Turn off the printer, then lift up the printer cover and remove any jammed paper or other foreign objects. Also, make sure you've removed all of the packing material. Then turn the printer back on. If you still see this error message, contact Epson as described in Where to Get Help.
Waste ink pad in the printer is saturated. Contact your dealer to replace it.
Contact Epson as described in Where to Get Help.
Cannot recognize ink cartridges.
Make sure the ink cartridges are installed correctly. See Replacing an Ink Cartridge.
The document is too complex to print with Bluetooth.
See your Bluetooth device's documentation.
Data error. The document cannot be printed.
See the documentation for the device transmitting the data. This error occurs when the transmitting device does not send data properly.
Cannot recognize the device.
Make sure you've inserted your memory card correctly. If you connected a USB storage device, make sure you've inserted the storage disk correctly.
Cannot recognize the memory card or disk.
Make sure you've inserted the memory card or storage disk correctly. If so, check to see whether there is a problem with the card or disk.
A problem occurred while formatting. Formatting cancelled.
Retry the procedure. If the error reoccurs, there may be a problem with your memory card or storage disk. Check to see whether there is a problem with the card or disk, then try again.
An error occurred while saving. Save cancelled.
Cannot create a folder on the memory card or disk. Operation cancelled.
Insert a new memory card or storage disk and try again.
Print head cleaning failed.
Try cleaning the print head again. If the error message reoccurs, contact Epson as described in Where to Get Help.
Backup Error
Error code
XXXXXXXX
A problem occurred and backup was cancelled. Make a note of the error code and contact Epson as described in Where to Get Help.

Running an Operation Check

You can run an operation check to determine whether a problem comes from the printer itself or some other source.

Before you run an operation check, make sure the CD/DVD tray is not inserted in the printer, and make sure the front tray is in the paper (lower) position. Follow the instructions to reposition the front tray.

  1. Turn off both the printer and computer.
  2. Disconnect the USB cable from the printer.
  3. Make sure letter-size plain paper is loaded in the printer.
  4. Press the  On button to turn on the printer.
  5. Press the Setup button.
  6. Use the or button to select Maintenance, then press OK.
  7. Use the or button to select Nozzle Check, then press OK.
  8. Press the Start button.
  9. A test page prints showing the printer's ROM version number, an ink counter code, and a nozzle check pattern. (If the pattern has gaps, you need to clean the print head.)

    • If the test page prints, the problem probably lies in your software settings, the cable, or your computer. It's also possible that your software may not be installed correctly. Follow the instructions in Uninstalling Your Software, then see your Start Here sheet for instructions on reinstalling the printer software.
    • If the test page doesn't print, you may have a problem with your printer. Try the suggestions in Problems and Solutions. If nothing works, contact Epson as described in Where to Get Help.
  10. Turn off the printer after it prints the test page. Then reconnect the cable and turn on your printer and computer.

Problems and Solutions

Setup and Software Installation Problems

Tip:
It's a good idea to check Epson's support website periodically for free updates to your Epson Stylus Photo R380 printing software. Click the Driver Update button on the Maintenance tab in your Windows printer software or visit Epson's support website. Download instructions are posted for your convenience.

The printer makes noise after ink cartridge installation.

You're having problems installing the software.

Printing Problems

There are no error messages on the LCD screen, but nothing prints.

The printer sounds as though it is printing, but nothing prints.

Your printer makes noise when you turn it on or after it has been sitting for awhile.

Your printer is performing routine maintenance.

You don't see the 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:

  1. Windows XP: Click Start, select Control Panel, then select Printers and Faxes (or Printers and Other Hardware and then Printers and Faxes).
  2. Windows Me, 98SE, and 2000: Click Start, point to Settings, then select Printers.

  3. Windows XP and 2000: Right-click your printer icon and select Printing Preferences.
  4. Windows Me and 98SE: Right-click your printer icon and select Properties.

  5. Click the Maintenance tab.
  6. Click the Speed & Progress button, then click the Monitoring Preferences button.
  7. Click the Shortcut Icon box. Then click OK in each of the open windows to close them.

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:

For the fastest printing, try these tips:

An ink error message appears after you replace the cartridge.

Make sure the ink cartridges are installed properly.

  1. Press the Setup button, use the or button to select Maintenance, then press OK.
  2. Use the or button to select Change Ink Cartridge, then press OK.
  3. Open the printer cover, then open the cartridge cover.
  4. Press each ink cartridge down (you may hear a cartridge click into place if it was incorrectly installed the first time).
  5. Close the cartridge cover and the printer cover.
  6. Press the OK button.

Print Quality Problems

You see banding (light lines).

Your printout is blurry or smeared.

Your printout is faint or has gaps.

You see wrong or missing colors.

Your printout is grainy.

Your printout has a slight slant.

There are scratches on your print.

If you're printing on glossy 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.

Paper or CD/DVD Tray Feeding Problems

Paper doesn't eject fully or is wrinkled.

Paper doesn't feed correctly or jams in the printer.

If your paper loads incorrectly or jams frequently:

The CD/DVD tray is ejected or not fed correctly when a print job is sent.

Reinsert the CD/DVD tray correctly. See Inserting a CD or DVD.

CD/DVD Printing Problems

Images and text are not centered on the CD/DVD.

Adjust the Print position. For more information, see Adjusting the Print Position (Windows) or Adjusting the Print Position (Macintosh).

Ink smears on the CD/DVD or printing is too light.

Printed CDs or DVDs are dirty.

Clean the rollers. For more information, see Cleaning the Rollers.

The CD/DVD won't feed into the printer.

Make sure you gently insert the CD/DVD tray along the base of the front tray until the arrow marks on the CD/DVD tray and the front tray match each other. Make sure both sides of the CD/DVD tray slide underneath the brackets on the front tray. For more information, see Inserting a CD or DVD.

Miscellaneous Printout Problems

The image is inverted, as if viewed in a mirror.

The printer prints blank pages.

The margins are incorrect.

Output is not what you expect when printing borderless photos.

Too many copies are printing.

Make sure that the Copies option in your printer or application software is not set for multiple copies.

You see incorrect characters.

The image size or position is incorrect.

Uninstalling Your Software

You may need to uninstall and then reinstall your printer driver and utilities. For example, this might be necessary when you upgrade your operating system. You don't need to uninstall Epson Print CD, PhotoImpression, or your on-screen User's Guide.

Windows

Note:
Do not turn off or disconnect the printer while you are uninstalling the software.

  1. Turn off the printer and disconnect its USB cable from your computer.
  2. Click Start, and select Programs or All Programs.
  3. Point to Epson or Epson Printers, then select Epson Printer Software Uninstall.
  4. In the next window, select EPSON Stylus Photo R380 Series, and click OK. Then follow the on-screen instructions.
  5. Restart your computer, then see the Start Here sheet to reinstall your software.

Macintosh

  1. Quit all running applications.
  2. Insert the Epson printer software CD-ROM into your Macintosh.
  3. Open the Epson CD-ROM desktop icon.
  4. Double-click the English folder, then double-click the OSX folder.
  5. Note:
    You may have to scroll down to see these folders.

  6. Double-click the Installer icon.
  7. Note: If the Authenticate dialog box appears, enter your password or phrase and click OK.

  8. When the Installer window appears, select Uninstall from the pop-up menu in the upper left and click Uninstall.
  9. Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the printer software.
  10. Note:
    If the name of your printer remains in the Print Center or Printer Setup Utility, select it from Printer List and click Delete.

  11. Restart your Macintosh, then see the Start Here sheet to reinstall your software.