epson 2200 problem

[FredG]

I haven't use the printer for several week, and got head clogging. I have run the head cleaning at least 12 times, removed each cartridge, shook it, re-inserted it, turned machine on and off. There is still one color not showing at all (even replaced that cartridge to be sure) one color severely impaired, and one slightly impaired. The test output hasn't changed over the past 4 cleanings. I thougth I remembered someone saying there was a way to "super clean" the heads. Any thoughts?

[gparr]

I haven't use the printer for several week, and got head clogging. I have run the head cleaning at least 12 times, removed each cartridge, shook it, re-inserted it, turned machine on and off. There is still one color not showing at all (even replaced that cartridge to be sure) one color severely impaired, and one slightly impaired. The test output hasn't changed over the past 4 cleanings. I thougth I remembered someone saying there was a way to "super clean" the heads. Any thoughts?

I've had good success cleaning clogged conventional inkjet printer cartridges with a Q-tip soaked in rubbing alcohol. Dry the cartridge after cleaning with the other end of the Q-tip to remove the dissolved chunks. Try it on the cartridge you removed/replaced. Sounds like you have nothing to lose.
gary

[FredG]

Nice tip! That got the 2 bad ones almost there. Now it told me to replace 2 cartridges. I did that, and the test print is getting nothing out of either of them. And one of them just gave me a perfect test print before I changed it. Back to shaking and q-tipping some more. Hmmm ... I wonder if the cartridge itself is so old (even the "new" one) that the ink has gotten too thick to flow properly. They were fully sealed, though.

Somone once mentioned using a hair dryer on the heads. I may try that.

[dbevis]

I've also read where people swear by "Windex" for unclogging them.



Nice tip! That got the 2 bad ones almost there. Now it told me to replace 2 cartridges. I did that, and the test print is getting nothing out of either of them. And one of them just gave me a perfect test print before I changed it. Back to shaking and q-tipping some more. Hmmm ... I wonder if the cartridge itself is so old (even the "new" one) that the ink has gotten too thick to flow properly. They were fully sealed, though.

Somone once mentioned using a hair dryer on the heads. I may try that.

[FredG]

The 2 replaced ones finally started giving good tests. At the same time, my yellow mysteriously stopped altogether. Got frustrated and turned it off about 12 hours ago. Woke up wondering if the ink was old/thick enough to respond slowly to all that shaking. Sure enough, everything now works with only a few tiny dropouts from a new cartridge I installed this morning. Hopefully another round or 2 of cleaning will have it back in good order. (after about $30 or so of ink for cleanings)

[trgtc]

DISCLAIMER - Use these suggestions at YOUR own risk. If you try this and your printer dies, or you injure yourself, I will in NO way be held responsible. When manually moving parts in your printer, DON'T FORCE them to move!!! If they won't move, you are either doing something wrong, or your printer is not compatible with these instructions.

I have had luck using Shop Rite "Glass & More" window cleaner. It's probably the same as Windex. I use an Epson 1280 with dye Inks, so I don't know how pigment inks will respond to this.

Turn OFF the printer.

Open the hinged cover and look on the left side (you should see a gear). Rotate the gear toward the front of the printer about a quarter turn. This should unlock the head assembly.

Fold a paper towel so that it looks like a strip about one half inch wide. Wet it (more than damp, but less than soaked) with cleaner and lay it in the space that the heads pass over.

Pull the Head Assembly out of its "Parking Area" and over the folded paper towel.

Grab the ends of the folded paper towel and pull it back and forth across the head.

This will dissolve and remove dried "crud" on the head.

REMOVE THE PAPER TOWEL, push the head assembly back to the parking area, rotate the gear a quarter turn to the rear of the printer, turn the printer on and print a nozzle check.

If you still are having problems, you could take an old (empty) ink cartridge, reset the ink counters to "Full", fill the chambers with cleaning fluid, install them in the printer and run head cleaning cycles to try to clear the clog. You may have to let it sit for a day or so with the homemade cleaning cartridge in place to help dissolve the clog. This worked very well for me when my yellow printhead jammed up. After the clog is cleared, you will want to install the ink cartridges and run a a cleaning cycle, followed by a nozzle check, and then print a few "scrap" pages to clear any traces of the cleaning fluid from the heads.

For more stubborn clogs, you will have to remove the printhead. On the Epson 1270 and 1280 this involves removing the top cover (not just the hinged cover) of the printer, removing two screws on the head assembly, unpluging the ribbon cables, and removing the printheads. If you can't figure out how to do this, you probably shouldn't be attempting it, so don't ask me how.

With the printhead in your hands, you can do a more thorough cleaning on the nozzle plate, and can use a syringe (WITHOUT the needle) filled with cleaning fluid applied to the ink supply nipple to flush out the head (alternating pushing against the clog, and trying to suck the clog out). BE CAREFUL NOT TO BREAK THE INK SUPPLY NIPPLE!!!!! Work slowly and CAREFULLY!! I have had success with this method in the past.

If you are unsure of how to do any of these cleaning methods.... DON'T DO THEM!! On the other hand, if it's a question of repairing the printer yourself or throwing it away and buying a new one, what have you got to lose?

Again, while these methods have worked for me, YOUR experience may be different. If you wind up damaging yourself or your printer by trying these suggestions, it's NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY.

Sorry about the need for these disclaimers but with people showing such a propensity for laying the blame on on others whenever possible, and not taking responsibility for their own actions unless they have no other choice, I find it necessary. Blame the assh...uh....basta.....hmmm....motherf....oh yeah...Blame the lawyers!

Jon

[OlgaJ]

Wow, Jon, that's a mouthful. :)

It reminds me why I've promised myself to not spend money on photo printer and supplies any more (especially for large prints) but to just have prints done at a lab. Of course, I can say that since I'm no pro and I only need a finite number of prints.

Olga

[trgtc]

Yes, by having someone else make your prints you can save yourself from some hassles, but ultimately you don't have as much control over the finished product. As it is with computers and image editors, so it is with learning the ins and outs of printing and printers... There is a learning curve that is justified for some, and not for others.

I want prints done the way I want them done and I don't want to spend large amounts of cash in the process. For this reason, I do my own prints (upto 13X19 currently), and my own computer, auto, plumbing, electrical, and household repairs whenever possible. Hell, I would be my own dentist and surgeon but alas, that is slightly beyond my current abilities. I've learned over the years that "If you want something done to your satisfaction, learn how to do it yourself".


Preventative Maintenance For Your Printer

Create an image with 720 DPI Resolution that contains a 1/2 inch wide by 1 inch tall rectangle for each color that your printer has in its ink tanks (e.g.- Epson 1280 - Black, Cyan, Light Cyan, Magenta, Light Magenta, Yellow). Print this image at least once every 2 to 3 days (with no color correction or ICM profiles applied) to keep your heads from drying and clogging.

Good Luck,

Jon

[FredG]

So Jon, if I screw up my printer, can I blame you? Only kidding!!!!! I came to the conclusion today that I must not let my printer sit more than a week without printing something. I like your maintenance idea. As for your roto-router approach, I have an Epson 820 that got so jammed up it required almost daily cleaning. I finally stopped using it, but still have it. I have nothing to lose, so one of these days I'll disassemble and give it a whirl. (I'm fearless with a screwdriver :) )

[FredG]

Just spoke with Epson and they diagnose it as clogged heads. Remedy is to replace them. That is expensive and they suggested throwing away the machine. Going to try all of the above with no aprehension about destroying the machine, as it is presently headed to the trash anyway. Will report back with success/failure stories.

[nhfirefighter13]

:eek: ouch.

[FredG]

Well, the verdict is in and the patient is officially dead. The 2200 presents a challenge to get to the heads, but I did get there. I was able to turn it over and soak/rub it with window cleaner. After reassembly, the multi-colored print came out a beautiful pink. To the trash!

Not being one to give up, I then proceeded to operate on an old old Epson 820 that hasn't been used for at least a year - probably longer. The last time it was used, the heads needed to be cleaned after printing only 2 or 3 pages. This was substantially easier to get to the heads. I inverted, soaked, scrubbed the heads, and dabbed cleaner on the spouts that penetrate the cartriges. Let them all soak for a while, cleaned up the spillage, reassembled, inserted new cartridges, and tested. After 3 head cleanings, I got a good solid test page. So at least I'm not totally without a printer.

Now when is that darned R1800 coming out? I've looked at the latest Canon and HP offerings too, but I guess I'm just an Epson junkie, as it still has the most appeal to me.

Thanks to everyone who contributed thoughts on this! (now, I wonder if I can sue Jon over the dead printer since it was his idea? KIDDING JON!!!)

[jliechty]

Why not a 4000? :D

I'm interested in the R800, because my Stylus Color 880 is getting quite old and somewhat difficult now to find cartridges for. :o

[trgtc]

Rassa frassa firgin fumbeldeplotz!!!

Sue me?!! I'll open a can of WoopAss on you, boy!!




Like wise....Just kidding.


It's a shame that you weren't able to get your printer up and running again... That's an expensive throwaway!

Short-term soaking and rubbing with window cleaner doesn't work with stubborn clogs. You have to soak the nozzle plate for a day or more and then work on it with a syringe from the ink inlet tube. Since the 2200 uses pigments you have a lot of dried solids in the ink path, so it could be beyond repair.

My wife's Epson 880 (dye inks) developed a clog in the magenta nozzles. I worked on it for over a week, but was never able to get more than 3/4 of the nozzles to clean up. Fortunately it was a garage sale printer that cost $5 and gave her about 2 years of service, so I can't really complain.

No matter which printer you get next, make sure that you make up a "Printhead Exercizer" image in your favorite image editor (as detailed in a previous message) and print it once or twice a week to keep fresh ink on the nozzle plate....An ounce of prevention.... 'Nuf said.

In the end, I guess it was just in the cards that you weren't meant to keep using this printer. I'm sure that better things will come from this PITA.

Take care,

Jon
trgtc

[lecter]

buy a Epson 4000...... heads don;t clog..... (so far)

hehe

[FredG]

Well, so much for playing Mr Home Repair. I have managed to disable the flow of all electricity. No more stories to tell.

Someone sent me an email about this a while back and I lost it. Please resend.