Improving 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 that 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 the printer itself by using the printer's control panel buttons.
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Note:
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Print head cleaning consumes some 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 out" is displayed or the ink icon flashes to show ink low on the LCD panel. In case of ink out, the ink cartridge replacement procedure will start. If you do not want to replace an ink cartridge at this moment, press Stop button to return the print head to its home position.
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Make sure the CD/DVD tray is not inserted in the printer before using the Head Cleaning utility.
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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.
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Check that no warnings or errors are displayed on the LCD panel.
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Access the printer software.
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Click the Maintenance tab, then click the Head Cleaning button.
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Follow the on-screen instructions.
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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 cleaning cycle finish, load a few sheets of paper and click Print Nozzle Check Pattern in the Head Cleaning dialog box to confirm that the print head is clean.
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Below are two sample nozzle check patterns:
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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, you may need to repeat the head cleaning and print the nozzle check pattern again.
See Cleaning the Print Head
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Note:
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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, do the nozzle check again, and repeat the head cleaning if necessary.
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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.
See Replacing an Ink Cartridge to replace an ink cartridge before it is empty.
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If print quality remains a problem after replacing the ink cartridges, contact your dealer.
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To maintain print quality, we recommend printing a few pages at least once every month.
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For Mac OS 8.6 to 9.x
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 on the LCD panel.
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Access the Print or Page Setup dialog box.
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Click the  Utility icon button, then click the Head Cleaning button.
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Follow the on-screen instructions.
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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 cleaning cycle finish, 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.
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Below are two sample nozzle check patterns.
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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, you may need to repeat the head cleaning and print the nozzle check pattern again.
See Cleaning the Print Head
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Note:
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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, do the nozzle check again, and repeat the head cleaning if necessary.
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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.
See Replacing an Ink Cartridge to replace an ink cartridge before it is empty.
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If print quality remains a problem after replacing the ink cartridges, contact your dealer.
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To maintain print quality, we recommend printing a few pages at least once every month.
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For Mac OS X
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 on the LCD panel.
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Access the EPSON Printer Utility dialog box.
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Select your printer, then click OK in the Printer List window.
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Click the Head Cleaning button in the Utility dialog box.
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Follow the on-screen instructions.
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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 cleaning cycle finished, 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.
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Below are two sample nozzle check patterns.
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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, you may need to repeat the head cleaning and print the nozzle check pattern again.
See Cleaning the Print Head
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Note:
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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, do the nozzle check again, and repeat the head cleaning if necessary.
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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.
See Replacing an Ink Cartridge to replace an ink cartridge before it is empty.
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If print quality remains a problem after replacing the ink cartridges, contact your dealer.
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To maintain print quality, we recommend printing a few pages at least once 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 on the LCD panel.
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Press the  maintenance button in Advanced mode.
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Press  button to position the cursor at Head Cleaning and press the OK 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 displayed in the LCD panel and press the OK button.
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The print head cleaning starts.
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Note:
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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, do the nozzle check again, and repeat the head cleaning if necessary.
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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.
See Replacing an Ink Cartridge to replace an ink cartridge before it is empty.
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If print quality remains a problem after replacing the ink cartridges, contact your dealer.
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To maintain print quality, we recommend printing a few pages at least once every month.
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