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How To / Replacing Ink Cartridges

Replacing an Ink Cartridge

Using the printer's control panel
Using the Status Monitor (not available for Windows 3.1)

This printer uses ink cartridges equipped with IC chips. The IC chip accurately monitors the amount of ink used by each cartridge, so even if a cartridge is removed and later inserted again, all of its ink can be used. However, some ink is consumed each time the cartridge is inserted because the printer automatically checks reliability.

Refer to the appropriate section below for instructions.

Using the printer's control panel

The printer's indicator lights will inform you when it is time to obtain a replacement ink cartridge and when it is time to replace an empty cartridge.

This table describes the status of the lights on your printer and the actions you need to take.

Lights	Action
	Obtain a replacement black (T017) or color (T018) ink cartridge.
	Replace the empty black or color ink cartridge.

Lights	Action
	Replace the black ink cartridge if the  error light flashes at the same speed as the power light.
	Replace the color ink cartridge if the  error light flashes at twice the speed of the  power light.
	Replace both the black and the color ink cartridges if this light remains on.

Warning:

Keep ink cartridges out of the reach of children and do not drink the ink.

Be careful when you handle the used ink cartridges, as there may be some ink around the ink supply port. If ink gets on your skin, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. If ink gets into your eyes, flush them immediately with water. If discomfort or vision problems remain after a thorough flushing, see a doctor immediately.

Caution:

EPSON recommends the use of genuine EPSON ink cartridges. Other products not manufactured by EPSON may cause damage to your printer not covered by EPSON's warranties.

Leave the old cartridge installed in the printer until you have obtained a replacement; otherwise, ink remaining in the print head nozzles may dry out.

Do not refill the ink cartridges. The printer calculates the amount of ink remaining using an IC chip on the ink cartridge. Even if the cartridge is refilled, the amount of ink remaining will not be recalculated by the IC chip and the amount of ink available for use will not change.

Note:

You cannot continue printing with one ink cartridge empty, even if the other cartridge still contains ink. Before printing, replace the empty cartridge.

In addition to the ink used during document printing, ink is consumed during the print head cleaning operation and during the self-cleaning cycle which is performed when the printer is turned on, and during ink charging when the ink cartridge is installed in the printer.

For more information about ink cartridges, see When handling the ink cartridges.

To replace an ink cartridge using the  ink cartridge replacement button, follow the steps below.

Make sure the printer is on. The  power light should be on, but not flashing.

Lower the output tray, then open the printer cover.

Press the  ink cartridge replacement button. The print head moves to the center, which is the ink cartridge replacement position, the  power light begins flashing, and the  error light also begins to flash or remains on. To discover which cartridge requires replacing, refer to the table above, or check EPSON Status Monitor 3 (for Windows 98, 95, 2000, NT 4.0) or EPSON StatusMonitor (for Macintosh).

Caution:

Do not move the print head by hand, as this may damage the printer. Always press the  ink replacement button to move it.

Push back the release tabs and lift up the ink cartridge clamp as far as it will go. The cartridge rises partly out of the cartridge holder. Lift the cartridge out of the printer and dispose of it properly. Do not take the used cartridge apart or try to refill it.

Warning:

If ink gets on your hands, wash them thoroughly with soap and water. If ink gets into your eyes, flush them immediately with water. If discomfort or vision problems remain after a thorough flushing, see a doctor immediately.

Remove the new ink cartridge from its protective bag. Next, remove only the yellow tape seal from the cartridge.

Caution:

You must remove the yellow tape seal from the cartridge before installing it; otherwise, the cartridge will become unusable and you will be unable to print.

If you have installed an ink cartridge without removing the yellow tape seal, you must remove the cartridge and install a new one. Prepare the new cartridge by removing the yellow tape seal, then install it in the printer.

Do not remove the blue portion of the tape seal from the top of the cartridge; otherwise, the print head may become clogged and be unable to print.

Do not remove the tape seal from the bottom of the cartridge; otherwise, ink will leak.

Do not touch the green IC chip on the side of the cartridge; otherwise, normal operation and printing may not be possible.

Do not remove the green IC chip from the side of the cartridge. If you install an ink cartridge without an IC chip, the printer may be damaged.

Caution:

Make sure the ink cartridge tabs are not under the hinges protruding from the base of the opened ink cartridge clamp, as this could damage the clamp.

Caution:

After you remove an ink cartridge from the printer, please insert a new one immediately. If no cartridge is present, the print head may dry out and become unable to print.

Press the ink cartridge replacement button. The printer moves the print head and begins charging the ink delivery system. This process takes about one minute to complete. When the ink charging process is finished, the printer returns the print head to its home position, the  power light stops flashing and remains on, and the  error light goes out.

Caution:

The  power light continues to flash while the printer is charging ink. Never turn off the printer while this light is flashing. Doing so can result in incomplete charging of ink.

Close the printer cover.

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Using the Status Monitor (not available for Windows 3.1)

You can monitor the remaining ink levels from your computer and view on-screen instructions for replacing a low or empty ink cartridge using EPSON Status Monitor 3 (for Windows 98, 95, 2000, and NT 4.0) or EPSON StatusMonitor (for Macintosh).

When an ink cartridge is low or empty, click the How to button in the EPSON Status Monitor window. Follow the on-screen instructions to replace the cartridge.

For more information on using EPSON Status Monitor, see Using EPSON Status Monitor 3 (Not Available for Windows 3.1) for Windows, or Using EPSON StatusMonitor for Macintosh.

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