PRINTER PRINTS BLANK PAGES

So you need colour to print B&W. It's to keep the heads clear.

Dafydd.

If your printer allows you to select B&W only, try that. I recall that, at one time, drivers for some color capable printers could even be installed as black and white only.

Hi Steven,

Thanks for responding! Much appreciated.

Something interesting happened when I tried to apply your advice: I printed a letter from WORD, and it printed just fine, even though the color of the text was blue (it's text only, no graphics).

I have no idea how this is possible as the Epson is telling me that it's out of ink (except for the black). Maybe there's a tiny bit of color remaining and that enabled the document to print?

One other thing (and it's a long-shot): The document I was originally trying to print (unsuccessfully) is a PDF. I can't imagine how that could make a difference, but I admit I'm in a bit over my head here...

Thanks again.

Alan

So it prints blue (although it's nearly empty), and it doesn't print black (although it's nearly emtpy).

So it seems time to start the usual cleaning and self-test procedures (including using third-party cleaning cartridges). Those always work with my Canon; no experience with Epson.

Kees

Thanks, Kees...

To clarify: the black cartridge is nearly full. The 2 color cartridges are nearly empty.

The Epson doesn't do its Clean (or Head Alignment) functions unless none of the 3 cartridges are empty (and I'm hesitant to spend $35 or so on new color cartridges if the printer's kaput - it's a Catch 22!).

Thanks again,

Alan

Sorry, I made a typo indeed. I realised it after posting it.

My (third-party) Canon cartridges are only 3.5 euro (less than USD 4.5). It's easier to spend $13.5 than $35. But in your case, it's difficult.

Kees

You have an Epson, bad already. The plain fact as explained or allow me, Epson and many others use the process of head cleaning to refresh the printheads. That also allows ALL inkjets to use all inks in order to do so. Most modern inkjets don't print in "B&W-mono" anymore because they spend ink carts as the side benefit to companies. Epson has a bad record of when it fails, it fails miserably. recovery is cleaning the printheads, repeatedly until the "ink clogs" are removed. Of course, this takes more ink and the cost of OEM ink is expensive. As the other poster mentioned, Canon does well on refills or 3rd party inks, Epson doesn't. That all depends on the refiller source and vendors, etc., but it seems Canon is more tolerate. Visit Epson support website and follow their advise of head cleaning if you have the inks. However, if you abandon your current printer then consider *NEVER* allowing the ink to get that low or when it does, replace ASAP. Maybe, wait for a bargain or sale and get something other than Epson.

Understand any printer that uses 3rd party tends to lose warranty support, thus use when warranty is gone. I like to mention, I found HP and Canon to offer the better overall use, though others may claim otherwise, just take it or leave approach. I lean towards Canon for the nod, though, cost of operation and general upkeep is pretty good.

tada -----Willy

Thanks, Willy!

For those who might find this thread in the future I wanted to provide an update: I just discovered a line in the Epson manual that I'd missed before - "You cannot print or copy when an ink cartridge is expended even if the other cartridges are not expended."

I wish I'd seen that before (I have read the manual, but not word-for-word).

Thanks again,

Alan