Epson cx 4600 Ink Problem.

[DeeSue]

Have had this CX4600 for several years and LOVE it!
It has serviced me VERY WELL!

All of a sudden the print is fading and really banded quite badly. Looks like a bunch of jibberish. Yes, I am an experienced PC user at 64 years young 😉 and have solved many problems on my own.

I have never used Genuine Epson ink cartridges and have NEVER had any problems at all. I THINK I know when the problem started, but do not know WHY, or how to correct it.

The problem started shortly after I had replaced the yellow cartridge....purchased from the same company that I have had excellent service and good ink over the years.
After having done a lot of color printing, the BLACK ink started to "band." So, naturally, I used the nozzle check and head cleaner-------over and over again to no avail, while all the same time using up ink to do so, of course. 🙁

If I had another yellow cartridge on hand, I would replace it again, thinking that is when the problem started. But I do not, and do not want to order just "one" cartridge for the sake of a test. I DO have a utility called "SSC Service Utility" installed, but it does not appear to be very helpful either.
I am thinking maybe the yellow cartridge did something to the printer "head." ???
Does anyone know of a "FIX" for this, or any ideas?????
I hate to give up on this printer. I have a CX8400, too. and I do NOT like it for many reasons too lengthy to mention here.
HEEEEELLLLPPPPP??????

 

[thee_prisoner]

Since you just put in a new cartridge is could be a air bubble problem. Print a few test pages then let the printer sit overnight. If that doesn't work you may need to use something more drastic using the old "Windex" trick. Or you can use alcohol and I even heard that WD-40 works. I haven't tried the WD-40.

Edit: for cleaning the print heads.

Happy printing, the Prisoner.

 

[DeeSue]

Since you just put in a new cartridge is could be a air bubble problem. Print a few test pages then let the printer sit overnight. If that doesn't work you may need to use something more drastic using the old "Windex" trick. Or you can use alcohol and I even heard that WD-40 works. I haven't tried the WD-40.

Edit: for cleaning the print heads.

Happy printing, the Prisoner.

Thanks for the tips. My memory is a little foggy on the ol' "Windex" trick. I don't believe I have ever used that on an Epson. Can you refresh my memory? Do you have an Epson like or similar to mine? I vaguely remember taking the head out of printer a lonnng time ago and setting it in a little dish with a folded over paper towel soaked in Windex.

No clue how to get the head out of this one.

I also know that if a 'cartridge' is removed and put back in, it is rendered useless.....even if it is full. Learned THAT lesson the hard way awhile back, too.
Thanks MUCH!

 

[thee_prisoner]

Here is a link:http://www.inkjetart.com/tips/cleaning.html

 

[iam2thecrowe]

that series of epson printers had issues with the ink systems blocking up. The ink system is the part that pumps the ink through, if its not working, doing head cleans wont be doing anything.

 

[DeeSue]

Best answer selected by DeeSue.

 

[DeeSue]

Since you just put in a new cartridge is could be a air bubble problem. Print a few test pages then let the printer sit overnight. If that doesn't work you may need to use something more drastic using the old "Windex" trick. Or you can use alcohol and I even heard that WD-40 works. I haven't tried the WD-40.

Edit: for cleaning the print heads.

Happy printing, the Prisoner.

Hi There!...I got the ol' printer working!!! hip hip hooray!!!!
I went to the url you sent and did some reading to get a handle on things.
I "kinda sorta" used the ol' Windex trick. I really did want want to tear into the printer or remove any cartridges, because in the past, with some other Epsons that I have had, if a cartridge was removed and then put back in, it was rendered useless and would not work. Learned THAT lesson the hard way. 🙁
So here is what I DID do:
I was not sure where the "pads" or the heads were. Kinda figured they were UNDER the cartridge carrier. Really didn't care to take anything apart, so pressed the button to 'move' the cartridge carrier as if to replace a cartridge. When I did that I saw a little pad maybe a bit larger than the size of a postage stamp under there. It had a lot of ink on it - of all colors. I had to act fast, because the cartridge carrier would come right back and park itself over that pad very quickly. Instead of using a Q-tip (as per info found in the url you provided) I used an eyedropper. WAS able to put four or five little drops on the pad before the carrier returned and parked again.

Crossed my fingers and did a nozzle check pattern printout thingy....VOILA!
I can not REMEMBER when I have been so HAPPY!!!! Whoooo hooooo hooo!
As I said before ---I LOVE this printer! It is one of the heavier duty models. The CX8400 that I bought when the CX4600 took a "previous" powder is (pardon my language) a piece of plastic crap. I do not like it for a number of reasons. Would you believe that it will NOT print on paper that I bought that was pre-punched with 3 holes? I had to invent a paper "sleeve" to COVER the holes and feed it in with the paper to make it work. ANd: the paper feeder was a bit "wopperjar" too. Even the way you lay paper in the scanner to scan is bassackwards.
So you can see why I am such a HAPPY CAMPER now!!!!!!!!
Thanks for your help!!!!!!

 

[thee_prisoner]

Woot! I'm glad you got it fixed and for letting us know.

The pad cleaning methods works pretty well. You should be able to do that a few times until you need to do something more drastic.

Happy printing, the Prisoner