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

Checking and Cleaning the Print Head

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 ink 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, run the nozzle check once again, and then repeat head cleaning if necessary. We recommend turning off the printer by using the button. If print quality 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. Select Maintenance on the printer's control panel.

    To select an item, use the buttons, and then press the OK button.

  2. Select Print Head Nozzle Check.

  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to load paper and print the nozzle check pattern.

  4. Examine the printed pattern.

    • If there are broken lines or missing segments as shown in the "NG" pattern, the print head nozzles may be clogged. Go to the next step.
    • If you cannot see any broken lines or missing segments as in the following "OK" pattern, the nozzles are not clogged. Print head cleaning is not necessary. Select to exit.
  5. Select .

  6. Follow the on-screen instructions to clean the print head.

  7. When cleaning is finished, follow the on-screen instructions to print the nozzle check pattern again. Repeat cleaning and printing the pattern until all lines are printed completely.

Note:

You can also check and clean the print head from the printer driver.

  • Windows

    Click Print Head Nozzle Check on the Maintenance tab.

  • Mac OS

    Apple menu > System Preferences > Printers & Scanners (or Print & Scan, Print & Fax) > Epson(XXXX) > Options & Supplies > Utility > Open Printer Utility > Print Head Nozzle Check