Help with Epson Printer

[wwaag]

Got an Epson CX5400 all-in-one. Was printing fine except low on black ink. Changed the black cartridge and now no black. I've run it through the print cleaning cycle quite a few times to no avail. Sounds like something wrong with the cartridge since it was working fine before. Incidentally, I'm using genuine Epson cartridges so that's not an issue. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

wwaag

[hap]

Got an Epson CX5400 all-in-one. Was printing fine except low on black ink. Changed the black cartridge and now no black. I've run it through the print cleaning cycle quite a few times to no avail. Sounds like something wrong with the cartridge since it was working fine before. Incidentally, I'm using genuine Epson cartridges so that's not an issue. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

wwaag

Sounds like the same problem that my brother-in-law had with his 5400. He was also using genuine Epson ink. The printing head (which is separate from the cartridge) may be clogged or sometimes a piece of tubing that draws ink out of the cartridge can get dislodged.

He was never able to get his 5400 working properly, it's now just basically a very large scanner.

Hap

[Skith]

I once had this happen with a black ink cartridge on my Epson Stylus Photo 1280. I replaced it with a new cartridge and that fixed it. I contacted epson about the problem and they sent me a new (free) replacement black cartridge for the one that didn't work. They paid shipping of course. I was very pleased with their service.

I suggest you contact epson, and try another cartridge. I am located in the USA, so I can't speak for their support elsewhere.

[disturbed1]

Epson's customer service is great.

You may also want to print out a few pages of pure black to purge the black cart. Sometimes the heads do clog, and forcing a bunch of ink through it will open it up.
Here's a black purge to print out
http://www.colorbat.com/images_products/Instruction_photos/Purge_Black.jpg
and here's a link to purging http://www.inksupply.com/purging.cfm

Always do the head cleaning in cycles of 3, nozzle check > clean, nozzle check > clean, nozzle check > clean, close the program. Doing more than 3 in a row only overheats the heads, and has no benefit. The head cleaning cycle works in 3 stages, weak -> stronger -> strongest.

[Bjs]

With the new unit's having seperate print head unit , be carefull when replacing ink cartidge's .

For those with issue's .

If last ink cartridge was low , swap it back and test ... if fine , consider new cartridge faulty .

If last print cartridge now dose not work , after several clean , print test's , then :

Remove all cartridge's .
Remove print head assembly .

Check pin assembly on printer for bent pin's / packing material or other , caught between pin's (dose happen)
Check print head assembly for damage / or packing material that may have stuck to unit .

Reinsert print head assembly as per instruction's from manual .
Reinsert cartridge's .
Check cable's connecting unit to pc for firm connection .
Check if update for printer / software is available ... install if found .
Shut down pc and reboot system .
Now ... run utilties as per "new cartridge install" , run twice .

If printer now ok , fine .
If printer not working ... replace cable that connect's printer pc (may be faulty) ... then retest .
If unit still fail's ... consider "in need of repair" under warantee ... or buy new unit .

-----------------------------------

Before that end , visit website of printer manufacturer ... look for printer trouble shooting / help / faq's .

Some printer's have what is refered to as "reset" code's that need to be used before printer's full functionallity is returned .
Some code's return printer back to basic operational status (before ink cartridge's installed) , other's for print count reset , and more .

Failing this ... either get it fixed or buy another unit .

Beware of printer jam ... never pull paper ... doing so can cause damage to drive system ... refer to manual for proper procedure for clearing ...

[Skith]

Remove all cartridge's .
Remove print head assembly .

Unless something is different with newer epson models or the multifunsion models, I would recommend against this, unless the manual and warranty specifially say you can do it. On the Inkjet, at least my Stlyus Photo 1280, removing the print heads would require quite a bit of work and skill and risk, as there are no instructions to do so. If your model does allow for (the consumer) to do such a thing, then ignore my warning, otherwise do so at the risk of ruining your printer/voiding warranty. I strongly recommend to first try another black ink cartridge.

[MJA]

if the new ink didn't work and the print head is bad and no warranty it will be cheaper for you to buy a new printer

Canon PIXMA MP150 Photo All In One Printer $59.98 shipped free
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E3YITW/ref=nosim/104-6040047-4441543?n=172282


Epson Stylus CX5400 got too many bad reviews on amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000CD0AC/sr=1-1/qid=1150927598/ref=sr_1_1/104-60400...&s=electronics

[wwaag]

Thanks for all of the replies. Tried a new cartridge--same thing (another $30 down the drain). Then read the reviews on Amazon suggested by MJA. What an eyeopener! Only read the last 30 or 40 reviews, but they were pretty much the same problem I experienced. Lots of annoyed people who will never buy an Epson product again. Decided to go with the Canon. If nothing else, the print head is in the ink cartridge. The price is less than the service charge to get the Epson unit cleaned--assuming that a cleaning would "fix" the problem. Oh well, the scanner still works. Again, thanks for all the inputs.

wwaag

[ROF]

Remove all cartridge's .
Remove print head assembly .

Unless something is different with newer epson models or the multifunsion models, I would recommend against this, unless the manual and warranty specifially say you can do it. On the Inkjet, at least my Stlyus Photo 1280, removing the print heads would require quite a bit of work and skill and risk, as there are no instructions to do so. If your model does allow for (the consumer) to do such a thing, then ignore my warning, otherwise do so at the risk of ruining your printer/voiding warranty.

Just to let you know the 1280 is one of the easiest printers to remove the printheads. Two screws and it will be in your hands. The 5400 is somewhat more difficult but fortunately once you remove it's cover shell(6 screws) the printheads are nearly exposed and can be easily examined or cleaned without removal at that point.

[Skith]

My sister's multifunction (I think it is a 5400) has its heads clogged and I suspect manual cleaning is necessary. What would you recommend cleaning the print heads with? Distilled water? I assume alcohol would be a bad idea.

Thanks.

[BJ_M]

crap !!@

i have a cx5400 and -- the black is now clogged ....

loosk like it is not worth trying to fix and just use it as a scanner ..

im sticking with laser from now on ... ink jets are a POS for the most part //

ive never had any problems from any laser ive owned and i have a HP and a lexmark right now ....

[wwaag]

Agreed! That's what I'm doing with my CX5400--using it for a scanner.

Regarding laser printers, I'm still using my HP Laserjet 4P which is now 10 yrs old. Can't beat the print quality for B&W although it's slow (4PPM) by today's standards.

For color, especially photo, you still need an ink-jet. I also use an Epson 1270 which is about 7 years old that still prints great 13x19 prints, if needed. IMHO, Epson is probably still the best for photo printing.

Unfortunately, the CX5400 was flawed.

wwaag