How to reset "waste ink" errors of Epson printers...
Epson printers (and other makes) are programmed to display
"waste ink full" error and stop responding to commands,
after a preset number
of print-head cleans is performed, to prevent the waste tank from overflowing
and ink leaking out
of the printer. Click here
to find more information on waste ink tanks and how to deal with
them.
The error usually presents itself with a screen message like
this: "some parts inside your printer have reached the end
of their useful
life and need replacing", or "your printer requires servicing" or something like
that. All the lights on printer
are usually flashing as well and the printer
refuses to do anything. When this happens, you can either take your
printer
to an Epson repairer and have it serviced, or deal with the waste tank yourself and reset the error with SSC
software.
You can download the software for free from: ssclg.com/epsone.shtml
It is very easy to use, but some people may
find the instructions below helpful.
The software
is not authorised by Epson. Being freeware, you are on your own, if it
causes you any printer / computer
problems. You might want to check the forum
on the SSC website, before deciding to download, or use the software.
After you download the software, install it in "program
files". Turn your printer on and make sure the printer is connect-
ed to
computer via USB or parallel cable.
A new icon should appear on your desktop. It looks like a
printer. Click it and a window like this should open. Select a
printer model
from the lower dropdown menu that matches yours...
If you have several printers installed on your computer,
select the one you are wanting to use the software with this
time -
from the top dropdown menu...
This is what the window should look like for an Epson R310
printer...
Click the "Ink monitor" tab and the window should
change to something like this. Click the "Refresh" button to check
that the
software is communicating with the printer ok. If it isn't, you will get a
message: "Printer not ready" or similar.
If so, switch the printer off &
on again, then try again. If you can't get the software to
communicate - it will not work...
If the window looks like this (above), the program is
communicating ok and you are half way there.Close the window
and a new icon
should appear in your tool bar (near the clock in right bottom corner)...looks
like a printer with rainbow
above it. Right click it and menu like
this should pop up...
Left click the "protection counter", and pick "reset
protection counter". A dialog box should open with question: "Have
you
replaced the ink pad ?" Click yes. If the reset works, you should then get a
message: "Waste counter was reset"
(or something to that meaning). You can
then go back and click "protection counter" again, then "counter value"
which
should now be zero. Turn the printer off for couple of minutes, if the
lights are still flashing, then on again and it should
work normally. You can
resume using the printer, but you should think about dealing with the waste ink pad.
If you still can't work it out, contact us for more info.
