Epson ink jet print head basics
Before deciding to replace a print head on an Epson inkjet printer, please read the following and make sure you've eliminated the easy answers! This information assumes you're using Epson brand ink cartridges. If so, we've found that the heads seldom fail completely, beyond the point of being recoverable using Epson's cleaning fluids. Poor print quality is often the result of the head, capping assembly or pump tubing becoming clogged. Usually this occurs because the printer simply isn't used frequently enough or has sat idle too long. If ink remains stationary it tends to crust over anywhere air can get to it. If you're not using Epson brand inks, whether it's just to save money---understandable, but based on our experience, bad for the printer---or because your application requires "special" ink such as dyes, sublimation inks, food coloring etc., you can almost count on the head(s), cap and pump clogging up. For many businesses using special inks, these parts become "consumable" items and somebody on the staff becomes a part time printer technician. We're here to help! The following basic checks are executed at Compass Micro to determine what parts are required to fix a Stylus printer that will not print. (This is somewhat long winded but stick with it, you're bound to learn something. You may save yourself the expense of an unnecessary print head!)
Newer model Epson printers use "smart" cartridges. These have the ink counters built into the cartridge itself. The status displayed on your computer monitor is still taken from the printer's logic board but the ink cartridge is the source. This makes it impossible to accidentally reset the counters but the system can still be corrupted. The ink counters on the printer's logic board are updated every time the printer is turned off, but only if it is turned off using the printer's on/off switch. If you shut it off using a power strip, or any other external switch, the printer's normal power down process is bypassed and the logic counters are not properly updated. If the printer is shut off via an external switch all the time, the logic counters may never decrease. Based on all of the above, it is our opinion that the best method for determining whether an ink cartridge is truly empty or not, is to compare its weight to that of a full ink cartridge. If it feels empty, start by replacing the ink. (Here, again, the logic can trip you up! On most models, the instructions for changing the ink cartridge assume that you have a red light or error condition indicating the printer is out of ink. If this isn't true---if there is no error condition---the button it tells you to push will probably run a cleaning cycle instead of triggering the head to move to the ink changing position. If you experience this catch 22, try holding down the paper feed button instead. On many models, this will cause the head to move over and allow you to change the ink.)
Generally speaking, the pump seldom fails but after a year or two of steady use, the capping assembly and head need some attention. (Because inkjet print mechanisms live in an aerosol environment, the parts responsible for cleaning the print head eventually attract paper dust, cat fur, etc., and get so dirty they must be serviced.) An authorized servicer has the technical information, adjustment software and special cleaning fluids provided by Epson to give your printer a professional cleaning without breaking the bank. We've found that most clogged heads can be recovered for much less than the cost of a new head. If not, our customers pay no more than the minimum shop charge---much less than the price of a new print head. Your local service providor probably has a similar minimum shop charge. Be sure to ask! If still want to purchase a print head from us, please feel free. Bear in mind, however, we do not accept returns on print heads!
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