How to / Checking Printer Condition and Maintaing
Cleaning the Print Head
Using the Head Cleaning utility
Using the control panel buttons
If you find that the printed image is unexpectedly faint or dots in the printed image 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 the printer itself by using the printer's control panel buttons.
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Note:
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Print head cleaning uses both color and black ink. To avoid wasting ink, clean the print head only if print quality declines (for example, if the printout is blurry or the color is incorrect or missing).
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Use the Nozzle Check utility first to confirm that the print head needs to be cleaned. This saves ink.
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You cannot clean the print head if the message "ink end" is displayed in the LCD panel and the ink icon flashes. Replace the appropriate ink cartridge first.
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Do not start the Head Cleaning or Nozzle Check utility while printing is in progress, or your printout may be marred.
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Using the Head Cleaning utility
Refer to the appropriate section below to use the Head Cleaning utility.
For Windows users
Follow the steps below to clean the print head using the Head Cleaning utility.
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Check that no warnings or errors are displayed in the LCD Panel.
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Note:
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You cannot clean the print head if the message "ink end" is displayed in the LCD panel and the ink icon flashes.Replace the appropriate ink cartridge first.
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Access the printer software.
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Click the Utility tab, then click the Head Cleaning button.
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Follow the on-screen instructions.
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The process light will flash while the printer performs the cleaning cycle. It takes about thirty seconds to complete.
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Caution:
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Never turn the power supply to the printer off while the progress meter is displayed in the LCD panel. Doing so may damage the printer.
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When the process light stops flashing, click Print nozzle check pattern in the Head Cleaning dialog box to confirm that the head is clean and to reset the cleaning cycle.
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Below are nozzle check patterns:
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Good sample
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Print head needs to be cleaned
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In the check pattern, if you find that any segments are missing from the test lines, you may need to repeat the head cleaning and print the nozzle check pattern again.
If print quality hasn't improved after repeating this procedure four or five times, turn the printer off and leave it alone overnight, then try head cleaning again.
If the print quality still has not improved, one or both of your ink cartridges may be old or damaged and may need to be replaced. To replace an ink cartridge before it is empty, see Replacing an Ink Cartridge.
If print quality remains a problem after replacing the ink cartridges, contact your dealer.
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Note:
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To maintain print quality, we recommend turning on the printer for at least one minute every month.
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For Macintosh users
Follow the steps below to clean the print head using the Head Cleaning utility.
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Check that no warnings or errors are displayed in the LCD Panel.
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For Mac OS 8.5.1, 8.6 or 9.x users, access the printer software, click the  Utility icon button, and then click the Head Cleaning button.
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For Mac OS X users, double-click the EPSON Printer Utility icon in the Application folder in Macintosh HD (by default setting), select your printer, click OK in the Printer List window, and then click the Head cleaning button in the Utility dialog box.
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Follow the on-screen instructions.
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The progress meter is displayed in the LCD panel while the printer performs the cleaning. This operation takes about thirty seconds to complete.
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Caution:
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Never turn the power supply to the printer off while the progress meter is displayed in the LCD panel.Doing so may damage the printer.
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When the process light stops flashing, click the Confirmation button in the Head Cleaning dialog box to print a nozzle check pattern and to reset the cleaning cycle. Use the check pattern to confirm that the head is clean.
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If print quality has not improved after repeating this procedure four or five times, turn the printer off and leave it alone overnight, then try head cleaning again.
If the print quality still has not improved, one or both of your ink cartridges may be old or damaged and may need to be replaced. To replace an ink cartridge, see Replacing an Ink Cartridge.
If print quality remains a problem after replacing the ink cartridges, contact your dealer.
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Note:
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To maintain print quality, we recommend turning on the printer for at least one minute every month.
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Using the control panel buttons
Follow the steps below to clean the print head using the control panel buttons.
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Check that no warnings or errors are displayed in the LCD Panel.
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Note:
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You cannot clean the print head if the message "ink end" is displayed in the LCD panel and the ink icon flashes, you cannot clean the head and this operation will start the ink cartridge replacement procedure. If you do not want to replace an ink cartridge at this moment, press custom 1 button to return the print head to its home position.
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Press the  maintenance button.
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Press  button to position the cursor at Head Cleaning and press the Select button.
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Caution:
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Never turn the power supply to the printer off while the progress meter is displayed in the LCD panel. Doing so may damage the printer.
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Follow the instructions shown on the display and press the Custom 1 button.
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The print head cleaning will start.
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If print quality has not improved after repeating this procedure four or five times, turn the printer off and leave it alone overnight, then try head cleaning again.
If the print quality still has not improved, one or both of your ink cartridges may be old or damaged and may need to be replaced. To replace an ink cartridge before it is empty, see Replacing an Ink Cartridge.
If print quality remains a problem after replacing the ink cartridges, contact your dealer.
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Note:
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To maintain print quality, we recommend turning on the printer for at least one minute every month.
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