ET-18100 Series L18050 Series

User's Guide

> Maintaining the Printer > Improving Print Quality > Checking and Cleaning the Print Head

Checking and Cleaning the Print Head

You can also watch the procedure in the Web Video Manuals. Access the following website.

https://support.epson.net/publist/vlink.php?code=NPD7036

If the nozzles are clogged, the printouts become faint, there is visible banding, or unexpected colors appear. If the nozzles are severely clogged, a blank sheet will be printed. When print quality has declined, first use the nozzle check feature to check if the nozzles are clogged. If the nozzles are clogged, clean the print head.

Important:

  • Do not open the printer cover or turn off the printer during head cleaning. If the head cleaning is incomplete, you may not be able to print.

  • Head cleaning consumes ink and should not be performed more than necessary.

  • When ink is low, you may not be able to clean the print head.

  • If print quality has not improved after repeating nozzle check and head cleaning 3 times, wait for at least 12 hours without printing, and then run the nozzle check again. We recommend to turn off the printer. If print quality has still not improved, run Power Cleaning. If it has still not improved, contact Epson support.

  • To prevent the print head from drying out, do not unplug the printer while the power is on.

You can check and clean the print head by using the printer's control panel.

  1. Load A4-size plain paper in the printer.

  2. Press the button to turn off the printer.

  3. Turn the printer on while holding the button down, and then release the buttons when the power light flashes.

    The nozzle check pattern is printed.

    Note:

    It may take some time to start printing the nozzle check pattern.

  4. Check the printed pattern to see if the print head nozzles are clogged.

    • A:
      All lines are printed. No further steps are needed.
    • B or close to B
      Some nozzles are clogged. Hold the button down for 5 seconds until the power light starts flashing.
      Print head cleaning starts.
      Note:

      It may take some time to start print head cleaning.

    • C or close to C
      If most lines are missing or not printed, this indicates most nozzles are clogged. Run Power Cleaning. For details, see "Related information" below.

  5. When the power light stops flashing, print a nozzle check pattern again. Repeat cleaning and printing the pattern until all lines are printed completely.

Important:

If print quality has not improved after repeating nozzle check and head cleaning 3 times, wait for at least 12 hours without printing, and then run the nozzle check again. and repeat the head cleaning if necessary. We recommend to turn off the printer. If print quality has still not improved, run Power Cleaning. If it has still not improved, contact Epson support.

Related Information