Epson R220 - ink nozzles blocked and won't clear

[Deleted User]

I have an Epson R220 printer which is about 3-4 years old.

Recently the black ink looked like it was running out, although the cartridge was new.

I did nozzle check and it indicated the black and the cyan were either empty or blocked. Cleaned the nozzles but still no joy.

Replaced the black cartridge but still no ink seems to be feeding through to the print head. The other 4 colours are fine, just the black and the cyan seem to be blocked.

I've done about 4 nozzle clean cycles now and wondering whether anyone knows what could be wrong and how to sort it out?

roddydogs

Welcome to Epsons-was it a "Compatable" cartridge their always doing this, i just binned mine.

BillScarab

Epson are renowned for blocking up. You can use a bit of windolene on a cotton bud to try and clean the jets. Apparently one of the components in the ink is Ammonia so the Ammonia in the Windolene dissolves the dried up ink.

[Deleted User]

I don't have windolene but I do have stardrops which contains ammonia... will that be ok?

How do I get under the cradle to dab the ink jets :think:

choccyface

sorry to hijack thread, but i posted one earlier which has no replies. my ink isnt blocked, it is smudging all over the page when printing. how do you clean/stop that?
thanks,

[Deleted User]

choccyface wrote: »

sorry to hijack thread, but i posted one earlier which has no replies. my ink isnt blocked, it is smudging all over the page when printing. how do you clean/stop that?
thanks,

That has happened to my printer too, I can only think it must be blocked or partially blocked print heads

BillScarab

To get to the print heads you need to remove the ink cartridges. Then just thoroughly cvlean around the heads.

No idea on stardrops but unless it contains somethign that night damage the printer it should be OK. Use at your own risk though!

timmmers

Once or twice with an old R200 I used the fluid that came with ink refil kits...and ran test prints until the heads cleared alternating with cleaning cycles...it could take a lot of cleaning cycles some times though. Once they start playing up I don't think they ever really work properly without grief again .

Epsons really don't like being left unused for long periods...best to print a test at least prety often just to keep things working nicely. I use the same paper ...over and over.

What wouldn't I give for the assembly drawings fort hese thngs so I could whip mine to bits for a proper cleaning every now and them

t

roddydogs

I was told methylated spirit to clean heads-didnt work

JohnBrown1321

try to clean it by hot water or solvent and then run the cleaning cycle.

[Deleted User]

I have found a possible solution:

Get the printer into 'replace cartridges' mode, take out all catridges then switch power off at the socket for a few mins. Then plug back in, printer will ask you to insert cartridges. Insert the cartridges and all should be well. It helps if all the cartridges are the same brand.

If anyone tries this please say whether it worked!