How to / Checking Printer Condition and Maintaining
Checking the Print Head Nozzles
Using the Nozzle Check 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 identify the problem by checking the print head nozzles.
You can check the print head nozzles from your computer using the Nozzle Check utility in the printer software, or from the printer itself by using the printer's control panel buttons.
Using the Nozzle Check utility
Refer to the appropriate section below to use the Nozzle Check utility.
For Windows users
Follow the steps below to use the Nozzle Check utility.
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Check that no warnings or errors are displayed on the LCD panel.
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Make sure that A4 or Letter size paper is loaded in the sheet feeder.
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Access the printer software.
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Click the Maintenance tab, then click the Nozzle Check button.
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Follow the on-screen instructions.
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For Macintosh users
Follow the steps below to use the Nozzle Check utility.
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Check that no warnings or errors are displayed on the LCD panel.
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For users of Mac OS 8.6 or 9.x, access the Print or Page Setup dialog box, click the  Utility icon button, and then click the Nozzle Check button in the Utility dialog box.
For users of Mac OS X, double-click the EPSON Printer Utility icon in the Applications folder in Macintosh HD (the default hard disk name), select your printer, click OK in the Printer List window, and then click the Nozzle Check button in the Utility dialog box.
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Follow the on-screen instructions.
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Using the control panel buttons
Follow the steps below to check the print head nozzles using the control panel buttons.
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Check that no warnings or errors are displayed on the LCD panel.
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Make sure that A4 or Letter size paper is loaded in the sheet feeder.
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Press the  maintenance button.
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Press the  button to position the cursor at Nozzle Check and press the Select button.
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Follow the instructions displayed in the LCD panel and press the Custom 1 button.
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The nozzle check pattern is printed out. See the following illustration. If it is necessary to clean the print head, press the Custom 1 button to clean the print head.
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The printer will print an operation check page that includes a nozzle check pattern. Below are sample printouts.
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Good sample
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Print head needs to be cleaned
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If the nozzle check page does not print satisfactorily (for example, if any segment of the printed lines is missing), there is a problem with the printer. This could be a clogged ink nozzle or a misaligned print head. See Cleaning the Print Head for details on cleaning the print head. For information on aligning the print head, see Aligning the Print Head.
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