Epson stylus photo 870

[milesm]

Why does the ink flow dry up if the printer isn't used very frequently? It's
very irritating and expensive.

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

Why does the ink flow dry up if the printer isn't used very
frequently? It's very irritating and expensive.

After three everyone - one...two...three *BECAUSE IT'S AN EPSON!!!* If
you're attempting to unclog using the 'cleaning' cycle, then you're merely
exacerbating the problem as the cleaning cycle does nothing but lay down
more ink on top of what's already there. For correct cleaning instructions
read on: -

By 'cleaning' the printheads you are merely exacerbating the problem. All
the 'cleaning' cycle does is lay down more ink, on top of what's already
there, and makes the issue worse. You now have two choices: -

1) Take an empty cartridge, one of each colour, and fill with Windex.
Replace the carts you have in there with the Windex carts and alternate
running cleaning cycles/nozzle checks until the paper comes out clean. When
the paper is clean, remove the Windex carts and replace with BRAND NEW
ones - do NOT, under any circumstances, replace the ones you removed.

Print a nozzle check. If you don't see anything on the paper, run one
cleaning cycle, to get the ink flowing, and try a nozzle test again. That
should be all that's needed. You shouldn't need to run any more than two
cleaning cycles to get things going again.

2) If you don't wish to fill your own carts, there are a number of
outlets that offer cleaning carts. Just Google for 'inkjet cleaning
cartridges' - you're bound to find a myriad of companies selling them.
Simply replace your existing carts with the cleaning ones and proceed as
above.

Running a cleaning cycle can use as much as a fifth of a cartridge. It
should be used very sparingly - after all, ink is, obviously, money!

 

[Hecate]

After three everyone - one...two...three *BECAUSE IT'S AN EPSON!!!* If
you're attempting to unclog using the 'cleaning' cycle, then you're merely
exacerbating the problem as the cleaning cycle does nothing but lay down
more ink on top of what's already there. For correct cleaning instructions
read on: -

One, two, because you're not using it properly would be a more
accurate comment. I use Epsons and don't have that problem.

 

[milesm]

OK. Thanks for the advice so far. How might I not be using it properly?

Milesm

 

[Jon O'Brien]

Why does the ink flow dry up if the printer isn't used very frequently?

I think the most likely reason is that the atmosphere in the room where
your printer lives is very dry.

Try raising the humidity by installing a humidifier or leaving an open
container of water in the room. If you do the latter, rigging up a wicking
system (e.g. a cloth dangling in the water so that it can suck the water
up) will allow you to adjust the level of the humidity by exposing more or
less of the cloth to the atmosphere, as required.

If you try this, please report back here on the outcome. My suggestion is
based on a theory which I've aired several times here but, so far, I've
not had any feedback from others to whom I've suggested this solution. It
would be nice to know whether or not the theory's sound.

I've been using Epson inkjet printers for many years and, like many Epson
users, have /never/ suffered from this problem.

Jon.

 

[George Bolgar]

Then why was the last time my printer (CX5200) clogged up (thankfully,
not so bad that a couple of head cleaning passes did not clear it)
happen during a thunderstorm when the outside air was anything but dry
(and I don't have air con).

George.

 

[Jon O'Brien]

Then why was the last time my printer (CX5200) clogged up ...
happen during a thunderstorm when the outside air was anything but dry
(and I don't have air con).

Not being in possession of all the data, I can't answer that question I'm
afraid.

However, just because the outside air is humid and you don't have aircon
doesn't mean the air around the printer is also humid.

How big is the room your printer is in?

How many electronic devices, and of what sort, are running in the room?
Monitors are particularly good out chucking out heat and drying the
atmosphere.

How well sealed from the outside atmosphere is the room?

Did the printer clog during the storm or did you discover it was clogged
when you tried to use it during the storm? Raising the humidity around the
printer won't unclog already clogged jets.

There are other reasons why heads clog, of course, not just low humidity.
I'm only suggesting that low humidity may partly explain why so many
people seem to have clogging problems, not that it's the only cause.

Unconnected with the clogging but still a valid question, what on earth
were you doing running your system during a thunderstorm?

Jon.

 

[Safetymom123]

Things to do so your printer doesn't clog

1. Turn off by using the power button, not the surge strip.

2. Leave it turned off when you aren't using it.

3. Make sure the paper thickness lever is in the thin paper setting not the
one for envelopes.

Basically following the instructions will go a long way to help prevent
clogs.

 

[Jon O'Brien]

2. Leave it turned off when you aren't using it.

I never turn my printers off (except when there's a thunderstorm!)

3. Make sure the paper thickness lever is in the thin paper setting
not the one for envelopes.

My Epson 2100's always on a thicker setting, as I use heavy fine-art
papers almost exclusively.

Jon.

 

[George Bolgar]

I am usually working with open windows in all but very heavy winds.

OTOH, there is a lot of equipment around. No CRT, since I now use an
LCD monitor, but 2 PC's, and lots of smaller bits and pieces (though
they won't generate much heat), plus a fair amount of lights.

Can't say when the printer clogged exactly, since printers don't clog in
an instant, but over a period of time; and in any case, if the reason
for the clogging is lack of use, then by definition, there must have
been a period over which it was not used, and I cannot say exactly when
during that period is become clogged.

The weather here has been fairly wet and humid for a few weeks now (not
the kind of humidity you would experience somewhere like Singapore, but
humid by local, UK, standards) - the summer generally has had very few
really warm days this year.

I am wondering if the quality (or lack of it) of paper I am using might
contribute. I have ordered something a bit better (for other reasons
than this), but I will see how it will affect the clogging problem
(might even make it worse - hope not).

George.

 

[milesm]

If it's the printing heads clogging up, how is it that the problem seems to
disappear when a new cartridge is installed?

Milesm

 

[Lola MacLean]

About your theory re humidity, Jon--I found a really striking improvement
with my 1280 when I started using a humidifier in my study. (I do always
turn it off at the printer, make sure the paper thickness lever is set to
zero--and give the cartridges a gentle push to the right. Also cover the
printer with a nylon cover. In spite of those precautions, I would
frequently experience plugging.) I live in Southern California where the
humidity can vary from very dry to quite humid and noted over time that the
printer would tend to plug more during very dry spells OR when using the
furnace or AC for lengthy periods. Raising the humidity around the printer
has made a huge difference--even though I frequently go for more than a week
without printing.
Lola MacLean

 

[Dave E]

Hi All,
My 870 used to clog up all the time printing just 2 or 3 documents per week.
I have recently bought a digital camera and am printing 3 or 4 A4 size best
shot prints a day. What do you know no more clogging.
As someone has said elsewhere on this ng if you don't use Epson printers on
a daily basis they do tend to clog up. This has been my experience also. It
can't be just coincidence, the difference is so obvious.
I've had exclusively Epson printers for nearly 20 years now and the 870 does
seem to exhibit this trait worse than the others I have owned, although the
Photo 700ex was pretty bad also. The photo print quality is excellent, but
the cost of ownership is high. Each head cleaning routine uses up a lot of
ink.
I think my next printer will be a Canon
Best to All
Dave.

 

[Safetymom123]

You should return it to the thinner sitting when you are done printing. It
doesn't fully cap the heads allowing clogs.

 

[Hecate]

OK. Thanks for the advice so far. How might I not be using it properly?

You need to use printers regularly, but particularly if they're using
pigment inks.

You need to keep printers in the right atmosphere. Humidity levels
make a difference to whether a printer clogs or not. I live in the UK
and have never had clogging problems because the air here is moist all
year round. I usually find people with clogging problems have their
printers in a dry atmosphere, or allow them to sit near a window where
the sun shines on them constantly, drying out the heads, or have them
sitting in a (dry) air-conditioned office.

You need to not run printers to the very last drop of ink.

There's a few of the things that I find help.

 

[Hecate]

Hi All,
My 870 used to clog up all the time printing just 2 or 3 documents per week.
I have recently bought a digital camera and am printing 3 or 4 A4 size best
shot prints a day. What do you know no more clogging.
As someone has said elsewhere on this ng if you don't use Epson printers on
a daily basis they do tend to clog up. This has been my experience also. It
can't be just coincidence, the difference is so obvious.
I've had exclusively Epson printers for nearly 20 years now and the 870 does
seem to exhibit this trait worse than the others I have owned, although the
Photo 700ex was pretty bad also. The photo print quality is excellent, but
the cost of ownership is high. Each head cleaning routine uses up a lot of
ink.
I think my next printer will be a Canon
Best to All
Dave.

The answer to that, if you are printing a lot, is to spend the money
and invest ain a continuous ink system. I've never heard of those
clogging at all, and the ink works out much cheaper even when it's as
good as the Epson inks.

 

[Jon O'Brien]

The weather here has been fairly wet and humid for a few weeks now (not
the kind of humidity you would experience somewhere like Singapore, but
humid by local, UK, standards) - the summer generally has had very few
really warm days this year.

Yes, I know. I'm in Hampshire. ;-)

I am wondering if the quality (or lack of it) of paper I am using might
contribute.

It's possible. Some papers produce a lot of dust, which is known to clog
fine jets.

Hecate makes a good point in his latest post: does the printer's position
allow the sun to shine on it? Although the temperatures haven't been that
high this summer, we have had a reasonable amount of sunshine and the
printer casing makes a fairly good 'greenhouse'.

Jon.

 

[Jon O'Brien]

If it's the printing heads clogging up, how is it that the problem
seems to disappear when a new cartridge is installed?

Good question. If a new cartridge solves the problem, then maybe it isn't
the heads themselves that are clogging.

Jon.

 

[Jon O'Brien]

You should return it to the thinner sitting when you are done printing.
It doesn't fully cap the heads allowing clogs.

I can see that that's one weapon in the arsenal against drying out and
that it probably makes a significant contribution in some circumstances
(e.g. dry atmospheric conditions). Fortunately, I've not experienced
clogging problems, so have never found the need to do so.

Jon.

 

[Jon O'Brien]

I found a really striking improvement with my 1280 when I started using
a humidifier in my study.

Thanks for that, Lola. It's nice to know that I haven't been wasting my,
and other people's, time!

Jon.