Printer is printing blank pages

[Guest]

I just changed the black ink in my printer so that there is sufficient ink
for printing (all other ink color levels are okay), yet the printer does not
print anything with black ink. A blank page comes out every time I try and I
don't know how to fix the problem. Please Help

 

[Cari \(MS-MVP\)]

Read your printer manual for instructions on how to perform a cleaning and
maintenance cycle.

 

[Guest]

I ran the Head Cleaning Utility (suggested solution per manual) and now it
only prints magenta and yellow colors. I have an Epson Stylus C84 printer;
the two highest ink levels are black and cyan and the two lowest ink levels
are magenta and yellow, yet those are the only 2 colors that come out.

 

[Chuck]

It would appear that the head(s) are clogged, or have air bubbles preventing
ink flow.
Has the printer not been used for a time, and sat with empty ink tanks?

There are ways to clean the heads beyond the head cleaning software.
Unfortunately, this may require printer disassembly to get to the head
nozzle area.
I don't know if that is easily done or a real pain on the C84.
Basically, you use a wet lint free paper towel to soak the head nozzle area.
Sometimes a small amount of alcohol works better than water with a small
amount of detergent. (ink dependent)
It may be possible to get to the head nozzle area by unplugging the printer
when the head is in the printing position.
The caviat is that this is not recommended by the mfr. and I assume that
there is a reason.

If the head is beyond help, a new printer may be in your future. Generally
the out of warrenty repair cost is the same or more than a new printer.