How to Change Ink Cartridges in Your Epson Printer
Kory BixlerShare
Regularly changing ink cartridges is an important part of maintaining your Epson printer.
Replacing the cartridges helps avoid print quality issues, workflow disruption, and printer damage.
It can feel intimidating to open the printer up, revealing all the delicate inner parts. But with the information in this guide, you’ll be able to change your Epson ink cartridges like a pro in no time.
Epson makes dozens of different printer models for home, business, and professional imaging. So covering replacement instructions for every single one is beyond the scope of this guide.
Instead, we’ll focus on some general guidance for home and business users, as well as some common mistakes to avoid. Read on to find out how to replace your Epson ink cartridges.
Understanding Ink Cartridges
Before replacing the cartridge, it’s important to understand which type your printer model uses.
Here’s an overview of the three main cartridge types you’ll encounter:
Standard Cartridges
This is the most common cartridge type. If you have a home Epson inkjet printer such as the XP-4200, it likely came with standard cartridges.
High-Capacity Cartridges
High-capacity cartridges are the same size as standard cartridges, but they hold a lot more ink. This means they can print many more pages before needing replacement.
Specialty Cartridges
Some Epson printers use specialty cartridges.
Photo printers like the XP-970, for example, use a different type of cartridge than a standard inkjet printer. These cartridges typically have more colors of ink to allow for vivid prints.
Another example would be an EcoTank printer like the ET-2800. This line of Epson printers doesn’t use a traditional replaceable cartridge. Instead, it has ink tanks that you refill with individual bottles.
Identifying Your Printer Model and Cartridge Type
Your printer model should be printed clearly on the front of the printer. If you’re unsure, consult the owner’s manual.
To determine the cartridge type, check the owner’s manual or Epson’s website.
Preparing to Change the Ink Cartridge
Once you’ve identified your printer model and cartridge type, it’s time to get ready to change it.
First, gather the necessary tools and supplies. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Replacement ink cartridge - Be sure it matches your printer model.
- Soft, lint-free cloth - This is to wipe up any ink spills or to clean the printer parts if you accidentally touch them.
- Gloves - These are optional, but they will keep your hands clean from any spilled ink.
Next, check your printer’s ink levels. The LCD display on the printer should show a warning when the cartridge needs to be replaced.
Be sure to take low ink warnings seriously and promptly replace the cartridge. Waiting to replace the cartridge could harm print quality or even damage the printer.
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing the Ink Cartridge
Follow the 4-step process below to change the ink cartridge in your Epson printer:
1. Open the Printer Cover
The first step is to open the printer cover to reveal the ink cartridges.
If you have a scanner/printer model (common for home Epson printers), lift up the scanner bed. The cartridges should be visible underneath it.
Pro Tip: You don’t need to power off the printer to change the cartridges. Turning off the printer can cause issues with detecting the cartridges once you insert them.
2. Locate the Ink Cartridges
Next, find the ink cartridges. They should be clearly visible when you lift up the scanner bed.
Do not touch any parts inside the printer or attempt to manually move the print head. This can damage the printer.
3. Remove the Old Ink Cartridge
Once you’ve located the old cartridge, squeeze the tabs on the side of it and lift it straight up.
Be sure to only touch the tabs and no other parts of the print head.
Also, be careful not to spill any ink. Hold the cartridge upright, and don’t touch the bottom of it. If you get ink on your skin, scrub it off with soap and water.
Place the used cartridge on a paper towel or rag to avoid staining any surfaces.
4. Install the New Ink Cartridge
Now that you’ve removed the old cartridge, it’s time to install the new one.
Shake the black ink cartridge if you’re replacing it, but don’t remove it from the packaging yet. Don’t shake color cartridges if you’re replacing them.
Next, remove the cartridge from the packaging. Hold it upright to avoid spills.
Pull off any tape on the cartridge, and then push it into the printer until it clicks. Be sure it’s facing the same way as the other cartridges.
Once you’ve put the cartridge in place, close the scanner bed. Press “Completed” on the printer’s LCD screen. The print head will move and charge the ink.
Watch the screen for a message saying the ink replacement is complete. You can now resume printing.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you followed the steps above, your printer should be ready to use.
But sometimes, you may encounter issues when replacing the cartridge. Here’s how to deal with some common ones:
Printer Not Recognizing New Cartridge
If your printer isn’t recognizing the new cartridge, there are a couple of things you can try.
First, make sure the cartridge is properly inserted and locked in place.
Next, check if your printer’s firmware needs to be updated. Outdated firmware can cause problems with recognizing the new cartridge. You can find instructions for updating Epson printer firmware here.
Ink Smudging or Poor Print Quality
If your prints are smudged or of low quality, it might be an issue unrelated to the ink cartridge.
We recommend cleaning the print heads using the printer buttons or the accompanying software. You can find instructions for this on Epson’s website.
Additionally, check the print settings and make sure you’re using the correct type of paper. These can also cause problems with print quality.
Error Messages Related to Ink Cartridges
After inserting the printer ink cartridge, you may see an error on the printer’s LCD screen.
Check the owner’s manual or Epson’s website for help interpreting these error codes.
Maintaining Your Epson Printer
Now that you know how to replace your ink cartridges and troubleshoot common issues, here are some best practices for maintaining your Epson printer.
Tips for Extending Cartridge Life
Ink cartridges are expensive, so here are some tips to maximize their lifespan:
Print Regularly
If you don’t use your printer often, print a few pages per month to keep the print heads from clogging.
Optimize Print Settings
The less ink you use, the longer your cartridges will last.
Adjust your printer settings to use less ink. Choose “draft” or “economy” mode for internal documents. And use efficient fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, and Helvetica.
Don’t Open Cartridges Until You’re Ready to Use Them
Your cartridges will last the longest when sealed in their original packaging. Only open an ink cartridge when you’re ready to install it in your printer. Otherwise, it could dry out.
Cleaning the Print Head
Keeping the print head clean will extend the life of your cartridges and your printer.
Typically, your printer will have a built-in cleaning setting. The software that comes with the printer should also be able to do this. See these instructions from Epson for more info.
You can also manually clean the print head using distilled water and a lint-free cloth or sponge. It’s important to use distilled water, as tap water contains minerals and other impurities that can damage the print head.
Best Practices for Storing Ink Cartridges
Your cartridges will perform their best when properly stored.
Store cartridges upright in a cool, dry place. Keep them out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To round out this guide, here are answers to some common questions about changing Epson printer ink cartridges:
How often should I change my ink cartridges?
You should change your ink cartridges whenever the printer tells you to.
Additionally, Epson recommends replacing cartridges every six months even if they haven’t run out of ink.
Can I use third-party ink cartridges in my Epson printer?
When it comes to Epson printers, third-party ink cartridges are a tricky topic.
Epson specifically states, “Other brands of ink supplies are not compatible and, if described as compatible, may not function properly or continuously.”
They also note that printer firmware updates “may affect the functionality of third party ink.”
Generally, then, we advise against using third-party ink cartridges with Epson printers. They might work, but the potential issues probably aren’t worth it.
What should I do if I accidentally touch the ink nozzles?
If you accidentally touch your printer’s ink nozzles, don’t panic.
Clean the print nozzles with a lint-free cloth to remove dirt or oil from your fingers. Also, wash any ink off your hands with soap and water.
How can I recycle old ink cartridges?
Epson offers a recycling program to dispose of old ink cartridges responsibly. You can mail your used cartridges to Epson or drop them off at a participating retail store. Learn more here.
Whatever you do, never throw used ink cartridges in the trash. They contain heavy metals and chemicals that can contaminate soil and groundwater.
Summary
Now that you’ve read this guide, you’re equipped to change your Epson ink cartridges with confidence.
Here’s a recap of the key steps involved:
- Open the printer cover.
- Locate the ink cartridges.
- Remove the old ink cartridge, being careful not to touch other parts inside the printer.
- Install the new ink cartridge, making sure it faces the right way and is securely in place.
In addition to the above steps, be sure to perform regular maintenance to prolong the lifespan of both your printer and your ink cartridges.
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