Epson is one of the world's leading manufacturers of printers, scanners and other computer accessories. Its range of products is popular for their quality and performance. However, even the most reliable printers can encounter problems over the course of their life. A common issue that Epson printers face is clogged print heads which can cause print quality issues such as fuzzy or missing lines, or even a complete blockage.
Clogging of print heads is a result of the accumulation of dried ink on the print heads. Epson printers are designed to clean the print heads automatically but sometimes, this cannot be sufficient and a more thorough cleaning may be necessary.
Different Epson printers have different methods of accessing and cleaning the print heads. Here, we will discuss the two most common techniques.
Method 1: Manual Cleaning
Manual cleaning is an excellent approach to clean the printer head of any Epson printer. If you have an Epson printer that has not been used for a long time, then it is likely that the printer head has become clogged with dried ink.
Step 1: Turn off the Printer
Before you start cleaning the print heads, it is necessary to turn off the printer. This will protect you from electric shock hazards that may arise from handling the printer while it is still connected to the power outlet.
Step 2: Open the Printer Lid
After turning off the printer, open the lid. Be sure to read the manual carefully to determine the correct way to access and remove the print head. The print head is usually located beneath the ink cartridge.
Step 3: Remove the Print Head
Once you have accessed the print head, remove it carefully. Be sure to handle it with care as it is a delicate component of the printer. Most Epson printers make it easy to remove the print head by having tabs or clips that need to be pressed or pushed.
Step 4: Soak the Print Head in Cleaning Solution
Use a small container and soak the print head in a cleaning solution that is specifically formulated for cleaning print heads. Be sure to refer to the manual and use the recommended solution. Leave the print head soaking for several hours and be sure to agitate it occasionally.
Step 5: Rinse the Print Head
After soaking the print head for several hours, remove the print head from the cleaning solution and rinse it with clean water. Use a soft-bristled brush to remove any residual ink.
Step 6: Install the Print Head
After you have rinsed the print head, dry it with a clean cloth or paper towel and install it back into the printer. Be careful not to touch the nozzles with your fingers.
Step 7: Print a Test Page
Finally, print a test page to ensure that the print head has been cleaned properly. If the test page prints well, then the print head has been successfully cleaned.
Method 2: Using the Epson Maintenance Utility
The Epson Maintenance Utility is a software tool that enables you to maintain and clean your Epson printer. Similarly, different Epson printers have different procedures for accessing the maintenance utility. Therefore, we will explain how to use the utility in general.
Step 1: Open the Epson Maintenance Utility
Open your computer and navigate to the Epson Maintenance Utility. You can easily find the utility in your system tray, or by using the search function in your operating system.
Step 2: Access the Print Head Cleaning Tool
Once you have opened the Epson Maintenance Utility, look for the print head cleaning tool. Different versions of the utility may name this tool differently. For instance, it could be named "head cleaning" or "nozzle check," among other possibilities.
Step 3: Run the Print Head Cleaning Tool
Once you have located the print head cleaning tool, run it. A dialogue box will pop up asking you the cleaning intensity or level. You can select the most appropriate level according to how clogged your print head is.
Step 4: Wait for the Cleaning Tool to Finish
After selecting the appropriate level, the cleaning tool will do its work. The process may take a few minutes to complete. Do not shut down the printer until the process is complete.
Step 5: Print a Test Page
Finally, after the cleaning process is completed, print a test page to ensure that the print head has been cleaned thoroughly. If the test page prints well, then the print head has been successfully cleaned.
Conclusion
Cleaning a clogged print head is an essential maintenance activity for Epson printers. It is important to maintain your printer regularly to ensure a longer lifespan and better performance. If your printer print quality is not up to par, then you should clean the print head. The two methods listed above are efficient ways of cleaning the Epson print head. Manual cleaning is a great method to clean highly clogged print heads; while the Epson Maintenance Utility is a quick and straightforward tool to use for routine maintenance. Ultimately, whether you choose the manual or utility method, a cleaned print head will significantly improve the quality of your prints.