Question

How to Fix Blocked or Clogged Epson Printhead Nozzles?

Hello, Please let me know that how to fix blocked or clogged Epson printhead nozzles. I am facing some issue in this. Help me.

  •   Mick
  •   1  Ans
  •   Sep 26, 2021
Answer - 1

Fix Blocked or Clogged Epson Printhead Nozzles:

Most of the Epson printers nowadays come with a permanent printhead that offers better quality and durability than a one-time-use printhead. However, the permanent printhead has its disadvantages too.

The major problem occurs when this printhead gets clogged. A couple of users even started blaming the poor print quality on third party cartridges, ink quality, ink type switching, and so on. As an attempt to fix the quality issues, a person tried to switch back to an Epson cartridge.

If the new Epson cartridge is the solution for the problem, the person should have stayed with Epson. But if the new cartridge didn't fix the problem, then the person would conclude that the refilling process failed the printer.

Most of you might question why Epson’s printers are so easy to clog and how a new cartridge can resolve the problem. Well, there are mainly three factors behind clogging.

  • Due to debris, fibers, and other foreign objects
  • Because of dried inks
  • Presence of air bubbles

Out of the listed, the air bubbles are so commonly found as a clog element. The bubble usually forms as you switch to a new ink, change a cartridge, or experience room temperature fluctuations.

Methods to Fix Blocked or Clogged Epson Printhead Nozzles

1) Start with Prevention:

One of the best unclogging techniques for blocked or clogged Epson printhead nozzles is to prevent. Never let the ink levels become low. In case you allow the ink to drop or get exhausted then both the cartridge and the printhead will become full of air.

As you try to refill a cartridge, you can use a syringe to suck the air from a cartridge’s outlet until you find the ink coming out. Optionally, you can add some solution to each 100 ml ink to prevent it from drying.

2) Implement Built-In Cleaning:

In this process, you can run the built-in "clean printhead" twice, then wait for 4-6 hours, and repeat. The process is usually repeated up to three times before ending it up. If the technique works, you can easily clean the ink pad and prevent ink from drying on the printhead.

The other thing you can do is to clean waste ink pads. This will also work for blocked or clogged Epson printhead nozzles problem.

3) Apply Positive Pressure:

A bit of positive pressure helps to wipe out the air bubbles. If you are using a refillable cartridge, its simple to unplug the refill hole. As you open the top of a cartridge, the upward air will apply slight pressure to push the ink down and hence move air bubbles up. In the case of refilled OEM cartridges, you can peel off the sealing tape to open the drill hole.

This specific method for blocked or clogged Epson printhead nozzles creates a little downward pressure on the cartridge. Thereafter, you can leave the cartridge installed in the printer overnight. Later, you can check the results and see if more steps are required or not.

4) Use Wet Towel:

When blocked or clogged Epson printhead nozzles are caused due to dried ink, you can use a wet towel to soften the dried ink. Then, you need to unplug the printer while keeping the printhead unlocked.

Thereafter, put a wet paper towel, soaked with hot water or cleaning solutions in the middle place of the printer. Lastly, you can slide the printhead over the towel and allow the printhead to sit on top of the sheet for a few hours.

5) Try Printhead Flushing:

If you wish to attempt a rigorous procedure for blocked or clogged Epson printhead nozzles, then you can try this one. This method removes the air bubbles and debris inside the printhead by flushing it using liquid.

Take a syringe full of liquid and push its fluid through the cone-shaped ink intake. While some of the ink intakes fit in a syringe, so you won't require any special tools. It is recommended to use a tube to connect with the syringe. Remember that this method might flood the waste ink pad.

6) Professional Cleaning:

Certain times, the printhead flushing doesn't work and you need to take the printhead out and clean it. Once you successfully remove and take out the printhead, soak it into the cleaning solution for a few hours.

With the help of a high-pressure steamer, open up the nozzles and blow away the debris. Lastly, using an ultrasonic cleaner, remove the clogging particles and dried ink.

Hope the guide effectively helps in cleaning blocked or clogged Epson printhead nozzles.

  •   Steffan
  •   March 4, 2024