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Printing / Improving the Print Quality

Cleaning the Print Head

Using the Head Cleaning utility
Using the control panel buttons

If you find that the printout is unexpectedly faint or some dots are missing, you may be able to solve these problems by cleaning the print head, which ensures that the nozzles are delivering ink properly.

You can clean the print head from your computer using the Head Cleaning utility in the printer software or from this product itself by using the control panel buttons.

Note:

Print head cleaning uses both color and black inks. To avoid wasting ink, clean the print head only if the print quality drops (for example, blurred printout, incorrect or missing color.)

Use the nozzle check first to confirm that the print head needs to be cleaned. This saves ink.

When a message appears on the LCD panel to prompt you to replace the ink cartridge or to indicate the ink is low, you cannot clean the print head. In this case, replace the appropriate ink cartridge first.

Using the Head Cleaning utility

Refer to the appropriate section below to use the Head Cleaning utility.

For Windows

Follow the steps below to clean the print head using the Head Cleaning utility.

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

Make sure that this product is on.

Access the printer driver.

For Windows in "Accessing the Printer Driver"

Click the Maintenance tab, then click the Head Cleaning button.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

Print head cleaning in progress. Please wait. appears on the LCD panel while this product performs the cleaning cycle.

Caution:

Never turn off this product while head cleaning is in progress. Doing so may damage this product.

When Print head cleaning in progress. Please wait. disappears from the LCD panel, click Print Nozzle Check Pattern in the Head Cleaning dialog box to confirm that the print head is clean.

Below are two sample nozzle check patterns.

Good sample

Print head needs to be cleaned.

If the nozzle check page does not print satisfactorily, you may need to repeat the head cleaning and print the nozzle check pattern again. See Cleaning the Print Head.

Note:

If the print quality has not improved after repeating this procedure four or five times, turn this product off and leave it alone overnight. Then, perform the nozzle check again and repeat the head cleaning if necessary.

If the print quality still has not improved, at least one of your ink cartridges may be old or damaged and may need to be replaced. To replace an ink cartridge, see Replacing Ink Cartridges.

If the print quality remains a problem after replacing the ink cartridges, contact your dealer.

To maintain good print quality, we recommend printing a few pages at least once every month.

For Mac OS 9

Follow the steps below to clean the print head using the Head Cleaning utility.

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

Make sure that this product is on.

Access the Print or Page Setup dialog box.

For Mac OS 9 in "Accessing the Printer Driver"

Click the Utility icon button, then click the Head Cleaning button.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

Print head cleaning in progress. Please wait. appears on the LCD panel while this product performs the cleaning cycle.

Caution:

Never turn off this product while head cleaning is in progress. Doing so may damage this product.

When Print head cleaning in progress. Please wait. disappears from the LCD panel, click the Confirmation button in the Head Cleaning dialog box to print a nozzle check pattern. Use the check pattern to confirm that the print head is clean.

Below are two sample nozzle check patterns.

Good sample

Print head needs to be cleaned.

If the nozzle check page does not print satisfactorily, you may need to repeat the head cleaning and print the nozzle check pattern again. See Cleaning the Print Head.

For Mac OS X

Follow the steps below to clean the print head using the Head Cleaning utility.

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

Make sure that this product is on.

Access the EPSON Printer Utility dialog box.

For Mac OS X in "Accessing the Printer Driver"

Click the Head Cleaning button in the Utility dialog box.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

Print head cleaning in progress. Please wait. appears on the LCD panel while this product performs the cleaning cycle.

Caution:

Never turn off this product while head cleaning is in progress. Doing so may damage this product.

Below are two sample nozzle check patterns.

Good sample

Print head needs to be cleaned.

If the nozzle check page does not print satisfactorily, you may need to repeat the head cleaning and print the nozzle check pattern again. See Cleaning the Print Head.

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Using the control panel buttons

Follow the steps below to clean the print head using the control panel buttons.

Make sure that A4 or Letter size paper is loaded in the sheet feeder and press the Setup button.

Select Head Cleaning.

1. Select Head Cleaning.

2. Press the OK button.

Confirm the messages on the LCD panel, then press the OK button to start Head cleaning.

When Print head cleaning in progress. Please wait. disappears from the LCD panel, perform the nozzle check to confirm that the head is clean and to reset the cleaning cycle. See Checking the Print Head Nozzles.

Caution:

Never turn off this product while head cleaning is in progress. Doing so may damage this product.

Note:

If the print quality has not improved after repeating this procedure four or five times, turn this product off and leave it alone overnight. Then, perform the nozzle check again and repeat head cleaning if necessary.

If the print quality still has not improved, at least one of your ink cartridges may be old or damaged and may need to be replaced. To replace an ink cartridge, see Replacing Ink Cartridges.

To maintain good print quality, we recommend printing a few pages at least once every month.

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