printer not recognising ink all of a sudden?

ferry

Hi
Hope someone can help.
I have an Epsom Sx125 printer and have been using PC World compatible ink successfully for some but this morning my printer wont recognise the cartridges.They're stll half full.
I've tried reinstalling them but thats not solved the issue.
I have not installed any printer software updates as far as I know.

Any ideas what might be at fault here and suggest a possible fix before my printer meets the recycling skip!

Thanks
F x

sillygoose

ferry wrote: »

Hi
Hope someone can help.
I have an Epsom Sx125 printer and have been using PC World compatible ink successfully for some but this morning my printer wont recognise the cartridges.They're stll half full.
I've tried reinstalling them but thats not solved the issue.
I have not installed any printer software updates as far as I know.

Any ideas what might be at fault here and suggest a possible fix before my printer meets the recycling skip!

Thanks
F x

On your PC do you have an Epson printer icon in the tray? right click it to see if it brings up a menu and select Auto update settings. Check to see if 'Firmware update' is set to 'Never'

If it isn't (or wasn't) then your PC will have allowed Epson to install new firmware on your PC without you knowing that they use to disable the printer working with compatible from time to time.

When this happens you are stuffed until the compatible makers catch up and put new software in the cartridges that work around it. Finding a supplier of cartridges that still work is generally trail and error! (order 1 cartridge and try it before ordering more)

Finally the 'never' setting MUST be set on ALL computer or devices that use the printer as any one of them can allow Epson to do this to it if not disabled.

ferry

Thanks I thought that might be the case sneaky bu**ers!

supersaverg

sillygoose wrote: »

On your PC do you have an Epson printer icon in the tray? right click it to see if it brings up a menu and select Auto update settings. Check to see if 'Firmware update' is set to 'Never'

If it isn't (or wasn't) then your PC will have allowed Epson to install new firmware on your PC without you knowing that they use to disable the printer working with compatible from time to time.

When this happens you are stuffed until the compatible makers catch up and put new software in the cartridges that work around it. Finding a supplier of cartridges that still work is generally trail and error! (order 1 cartridge and try it before ordering more)

Finally the 'never' setting MUST be set on ALL computer or devices that use the printer as any one of them can allow Epson to do this to it if not disabled.

Absolutely right. They did it to me. I now use a Brother printer. No problems and ink seem cheaper than Epson.

Naughty tactics if you ask me!

GT60

Is there another way round this like uninstalling the printer then reinstalling just using the disc that came with the printer or am I better off just waiting?
also should I be disabling the printer Driver update too?




Thanks

NeverEnough

Problem is, once the firmware is updated, no amount of reinstalling the driver will make any difference. Firmware is by its very nature, permanent until "flashed"again by the printer manufacturer on a sneaky basis, it's a bit like updating BIOS chips on PC motherboards.

Its a waiting game until the compatibles catch up really, or a new printer,

andydiysaver

I once had an Epson until I realised their monopoly/protection practices rivalled only Apple's. There are gadgets out there that will reset chips so the printer thinks its always full but truth be told, I only bought the gadget to get one over on Epson because they are hellbent on taking your money any which way...... the real grown up moment came for me when I realised anything with Epson on it was the problem and got a proper printer.


To some extent, all the printer companies try it on , to force you to buy their overpriced ink. But I have to say Epson are the absolute worse at this kind of underhand practice. I walked through a shop the other day they were trying to sell ink at over 30 quid, which is scandalous really. They do it because they know they can, because someone walked in last week got a nice looking printer for £40 and now to their horror it's run out after printing two sheets.


only long term solution in my mind: get a new printer. not using an Epson will pay for itself (and the new printer) within weeks.

lindsaygalaxy

I had the same problem with my HP.

sillygoose

So I should chuck away my £49 Epson all-in-one that runs sweetly on 50p compatible cartridges?

That will teach Epson a lesson!

If you don't like how Epson operate, by not buying their printers (on some of which they may even make a loss/only break even) and just leave them the customers that do buy Epson cartridges you are actually helping them maximise profit margins!

Buying their cheap printers, wising up and preventing firmware updates and using non Epson cartridges is hitting them far harder as they have sold a printer for next to nothing and make no further revenue whilst you get cheap prints.

Its no different to the PAYG mobile phone scenario when you buy a phone that has been subsidised and unlock it and use on a cheaper network. In the case of Epson the high price paying original cartridge customers are subsidising you getting a cheap printer, thats their lookout.