Problem Solver

Diagnosing the Problem

Error indicators
EPSON Status Monitor
Running a printer operation check

Troubleshooting printer problems is best handled in two steps: first diagnose the problem, then apply likely solutions until the problem is fixed.

The information that you need to diagnose and solve most common problems is provided by online problem solving, the printer's control panel, the EPSON Status Monitor utility, or by running a printer operation check. Refer to the appropriate section below.

If you have a specific problem relating to print quality, a printout problem not related to print quality, or a paper feeding problem, or if the printer does not print at all, refer to the appropriate section in this chapter.

To solve a problem, you may need to cancel printing.
See Cancelling Printing

Error indicators

You can identify many common printer problems using the lights on your printer's control panel. If your printer stops working and the lights are on or flashing, use the following table of panel light patterns to diagnose the problem, then follow the recommended corrective measures. If the status of the power light is not shown, it is on or flashing.

Lights	Problem and solution
	Paper out
	No paper is loaded in the printer.	Load paper in the sheet feeder, and then press the paper button. The printer resumes printing and the light goes out.
	CD/DVD tray error
	When printing on CD/DVD, CD/DVD tray is not inserted in the printer.	Insert the CD/DVD tray in the printer and press the paper button.
	Paper jam
	Paper has jammed in the printer.	See The paper jams
	CD/DVD tray jam
	CD/DVD tray is not ejected from the printer when printing on CD/DVD.	Pull out the CD/DVD tray and press the paper button.
	Paper mismatch error
	The print path specified by the printer driver and the path in which the paper is loaded are different.	Load paper to the path specified by the printer driver.
	Wrong positioning of the output tray
	The position of the output tray is wrong.	Change the position of the output tray. SeeChanging the Position of the Output Tray
	Ink out
	An ink cartridge is empty or not installed.	Replace the black or color ink cartridge with a new one. If the ink end error occurs after the print head has moved to the home position, the ink cartridge may not be installed properly. Reinstall the ink cartridge so that it clicks into place. See Replacing an Empty Ink Cartridge
	Wrong cartridge
	The currently installed ink cartridge cannot be used with this printer.	Replace the incompatible cartridge with an appropriate black or color ink cartridge. See Replacing an Ink Cartridge
	Incorrectly installed ink cartridge
	An ink cartridge is not installed correctly.	If the print head is at the home position, press the ink button to move the print head to the ink cartridge replacement position. Remove and reinsert the ink cartridge. Then, continue with the ink cartridge installation. If the print head is at the ink cartridge replacement position, remove and reinsert the ink cartridge. Then, continue with ink cartridge installation.
	Ink low
	The black or color ink cartridge is nearly empty.	Obtain a replacement black or color ink cartridge. To determine which cartridge is nearly empty, check the ink levels using EPSON Status Monitor 3 (Windows) or EPSON Status Monitor (Macintosh).
	Cover open
	The printer cover is open.	Close the printer cover.
	Carriage error
	The print head carriage is obstructed by jammed paper or other foreign material and cannot return to the home position.	Turn off the printer. Open the printer cover and remove any paper or other obstructions from the paper path by hand. Then, turn the printer back on. If the error does not clear, contact your dealer.
	Unknown printer error
	An unknown printer error has occurred.	Turn off the printer and contact your dealer.

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EPSON Status Monitor

If a problem occurs while printing, an error message will appear in the Progress Meter window.

When the ink is out, click the How To button in the EPSON Status Monitor or Progress Meter window, and EPSON Status Monitor will lead you step-by-step through the cartridge replacement procedure.

If an error message indicating that parts inside your printer are near the end of their service life appears, contact your dealer for replacement.

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Running a printer operation check

If you are unable to determine the source of the problem, performing a printer operation check can help you determine whether the problem comes from the printer or the computer.

To print a printer operation check page, follow these steps.

Make sure both the printer and computer are turned off.

Disconnect the cable from the printer's interface connector.

Make sure that the output tray is down and slide out the extension.
See Changing the Position of the Output Tray

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

Hold down the paper button and press the power button to turn on the printer. Release only the power button. After the printer starts the operation check, release the paper button.

Compare the quality of the printed check page with the sample shown below. If there are no print quality problems, such as gaps or missing segments in the test lines, the printer itself is fine and the problem probably lies with the printer software settings, the application settings, the interface cable (be sure to use a shielded cable), or the computer itself.

If the check page does not print satisfactorily as shown below, there is a problem with the printer. For example, if any segment of the printed lines is missing, this could mean a clogged ink nozzle or a misaligned print head.

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