PRINTHEAD RECOVERY PROCEDURE

PRINTHEAD RECOVERY PROCEDURE
(Missing, Deflected or No Nozzles Fired)

This two-part process is described on the following pages:
PART A - PUMP AND CAP TEST
PART B - PRINTHEAD RECOVERY/FLUSH PROCEDURE

CLEANING SOLUTIONS REQUIRED:
Epson PN 1041371, A29 Clear fluid
Epson PN 1047886, S46 Red fluid

PART A - PUMP AND CAP TEST

1. PUMP TEST:
a) Power the printer OFF, remove any paper. Remove the top cover. Disable printhead lock mechanism. Position the printhead to
the left of the cap. (to allow air valve to be open) Soak the cap with CLEAN TAP WATER. Manually rotate the pump gear and
observe the fluid drain from the cap. The cap will turn white and dry if the pump is working.

b) To test if INK is flowing through the print head once the above is done. Place print head onto cap and insure that the air valve is
closed. Manually rotate the pump gear and observe the ink return to the cap. The cap will turn colors corresponding to the I/C
structure. If this doesn’t work then the cap or air valve assembly may require cleaning. Follow the steps below to clean and flush
the pump system. HOWEVER, if the cap does fill up with the Ink colors and NO NOZZLES fire. Inspect print head cable
connections.
(This initial pump test will determine your next step. If the pump is not working at this point, you should remove and
clean/ or replace the pump assembly. The pump should test good as outlined above before proceeding. I.e.; there is
no sense recovering the printhead if the pump is bad).

2. CAP CLEANING:

a) REMOVE and CLEAN THE CAP: Remove the CAP assembly and the Wiper Strip, carefully removing the ink tubing.
(Refer to applicable service manual). Clean the CAP and WIPER in a sink, flushing with plain water. (We recommend
this CAP & Wiper cleaning step, whether the head needs flushing or not.)

b) If the printhead requires flushing, i.e.; the PUMP TEST worked OK, and you decide to do a complete flush process,
then leave the CAP off and proceed to PART B. If not, replace the CAP assembly and the Wiper, and perform the
NOZZLE TEST functions and cleaning cycles as necessary. If printing is not satisfactory at that point, you may decide
to perform PART B at that time.
(Proceed to PART B if the printhead requires flushing)

PART B - RECOVERY/FLUSH PROCEDURE

1. GENTLY INJECT RED FLUID: Remove the CAP assembly (If not already removed). Place a paper towel in the
cavity where the cap was. Position the printhead over the towel. Remove any ink cartridges. Using a syringe with
tubing, gently Inject red cleaning fluid into each color and black nozzle set.
(NOTE: If fluid can not be injected,
install and puddle cap with fluid and let soak for 30 minutes. Retry step 1.)

2. REPLACE THE CAP and RE-INSTALL THE OLD INK CARTRIDGES: Move the CR assembly to the left and
remove the paper towel, dab the area dry with a clean towel. Replace the CAP assembly and reconnect tubes.

3. PUDDLE THE CAP: Fill the cap with red fluid. That is, “puddle” the cap using the syringe.

4. SOAK OVERNIGHT: The printer is now ready to soak. The cartridges in place will keep the fluid in the head, and
the red fluid in the cap will loosen any remaining residual ink.

Leave undisturbed overnight

5. REMOVE THE CAP AND CLEAN: (Yes.. take out the cap and clean it again, just like Part A)

6. GENTLY INJECT CLEAR FLUID: Place a paper towel in the cavity where the cap was. Position the printhead over
the towel. Remove any ink cartridges. Using a syringe with tubing, gently Inject one full syringe of clear cleaning fluid
into each color and black nozzle set (flushing out the red fluid).

7. REINSTALL CAP: Put the CAP assembly back in.

8. WITH POWER ON, INSTALL NEW CARTRIDGES: Place new ink cartridges in the printer using the correct install
procedure.

9. PERFORM CLEANING CYCLES UNITL FRESH INK IS IN THE CAP: It usually takes two to three cleaning cycles until
the cap is “ banded” with color from the ink.

10. PRINT TEST: Power the printer up and perform a self-test or nozzle test. Perform additional cleaning cycles as needed. (We
suggest printing a photo page as for final verification. Test page files can be found on the Epson Inkjet Training CD)