Epson printer won't let me change cartidges

[caseyp_l]

Hi all,

I've just come across a really annoying problem with an older Epson
printer and I hope somebody can help.

Epson Color Stylus 640, Windows XP with appropriate status monitor
installed

Not used for some time. The status monitor says there is plenty of ink
in both black and colour cartidges BUT colour ink will not flow.

Trouble is because there is plenty of ink, the printer won't allow me
to change the cartidges!!

Can anybody suggest how I might convince the thing to let me change
cartidges?? No, I've tried the cattle prod and it didn't work, any
other thoughts??

Thanks in anticipation.

Please reply to group

PC

 

[MCL]

PC,
With printer turned on, raise the cover & hold the load/eject for about 5
seconds. Cartridges should move into position to change.

Mike

 

[Jan Alter]

Hi all,

I've just come across a really annoying problem with an older Epson
printer and I hope somebody can help.

Epson Color Stylus 640, Windows XP with appropriate status monitor
installed

Not used for some time. The status monitor says there is plenty of ink
in both black and colour cartidges BUT colour ink will not flow.

Trouble is because there is plenty of ink, the printer won't allow me
to change the cartidges!!

Can anybody suggest how I might convince the thing to let me change
cartidges?? No, I've tried the cattle prod and it didn't work, any
other thoughts??

Thanks in anticipation.

Please reply to group

PC

I believe if you hold the Paper Infeed button for about 3 - 5 seconds the
head will move to cartridge change position.

 

[rwap]

head will move to cartridge change position.

- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -

I just tend to press the paper feed button so that the print heads
start moving and then pull out the power lead - once the print head is
away from its home position, it can be slid into the right position to
change the ink cartridge.

Rich
www.rwapservices.co.uk

 

[Woody]

Changing the cartridge won't solve your problem though as the print heads
have dried out due to lack of use. You have to get the print heads cleaned
out...

 

[Colin Reddish]

Changing the cartridge won't solve your problem though as the print heads
have dried out due to lack of use. You have to get the print heads cleaned
out...

Not always the case. Sometimes the cartridge is at fault and changing it
solves the problem. If several attempts at operating the cleaning cycle have
no effect then it is worth trying changing the cartridge or preferably use a
cleaning cartridge.

Please snip your replies and do not top-post in a thread which has followed
convention.

 

[caseyp_l]

Thanks for all the suggestions gents. I especially like the "pull the
power plug" one, it has a certain caveman quality to it that probably
means it will work perfectly.

Fair call that the print heads may be the problem rather than the
cartridge. I certainly hope not as I have no idea what to do about
that.

Cheers,

PC

 

[Arthur Entlich]

There is a procedure with Epson printers for replacing "outdated" or
expired cartridge, using a button press sequence from the front panel.

However, I would agree that a long sitting printer probably has a
mixture of heavy-bodied inks (from water and alcohol evaporation) and
clogged heads.

For information about how to correct these issues, email me at the
address below for a free manual explaining the processes.

Art

email me at: e-printerhelp(at)mvps(dot)org

(at) = @
(dot) = .

with some detail about the problem.

 

[Jacques Clouseau]

Please snip your replies and do not top-post in a thread which has followed
convention.

Please drop dead.