Top 3: Epson Printer Leaking Ink on Paper

There are several Epson printer problem solutions for leaking ink on paper, depending on the root cause. Check which one below applies to you:

Poor Installation or Clogged Nozzles. A leaking ink cartridge occurs when the cartridge is not properly installed, or the nozzles become clogged. To resolve this, remove the cartridges from the printer, clean the printhead, and reinstall your Epson ink cartridges. Ensure that the cartridges are locked in place and are in the right color slot.
Damaged Ink Cartridge. Look for where the printer cartridge begins to color by running a white tissue over the entire printer ink cartridge. Your cartridge may be damaged or cracked if you’re getting color away from the contacts. If this is the case, replace the damaged ink.
Paper Issue. The paper you are using can also be the main problem. The most common paper problems are the following:

Damp, curled, old paper, or paper not loaded correctly.
Ensure the paper loaded into the paper tray meets the paper specifications required of your printer.
Ensure the paper size on the paper setting matches the paper loaded in the printer if you’re printing on letterhead. If you choose a paper size that’s too big for the loaded paper, the printer may print outside the paper’s edges and smear the ink.
Before loading paper for 2-sided manual printing, ensure the ink is dry to avoid smears and smudges.
Smudges may show up on the reverse side of dark text or images if you print on both sides. If a sheet has lighter text or image on one side, print that side first. After that, change the settings for density and/or ink drying time before working on the side with heavily saturated text or images.

For more information, check Epson’s guide on blurry or smeared printout guide or CompAndSave’s tips on how to stop printer ink from bleeding on paper.

Top 2: Epson Printer not Printing

Clogged Nozzles. If your printer is working but not printing, it might be due to clogged nozzles, especially if it has not been used for a long time, causing the ink to dry out. To resolve this, it would be best to clean the printhead.
Not Set as Default Printer. Your Epson printer might not print if it isn’t set as your default printer. Make sure the printer is set as your default printer by checking the printer’s settings.
Out of Paper. Double-check your paper tray to see if there is still paper loaded in it. Load more paper if necessary or if the light for paper out is on to print.
Paper Jam. If there is paper in the paper tray, make sure there are no jams. If there is, remove the paper slowly.
Restart both Printer and Computer. If the issue is still not resolved at this point, restarting your printer might solve it.
Check Your Printer Connection. Check the different cases below to see which one works for you:

If connected via USB cable, remove the cable and reattach it.
If connected via a network printer, check to see if your printer is connected to the network. If you have a wireless printer, reconnect it to your home or work network.
If connected via Bluetooth, ensure your printer is close enough to your computer. After this, pair your printer again with your computer and see if this solves your problem.

If your printer won’t still print, it would be best to contact Epson Support.

Top 1: Epson Printer not Recognizing Ink

First on our list as the most common printer issue: Epson printer not recognizing ink cartridges. Check out the different Epson printer problem solutions to this problem below:

Expired Cartridges. To find out how to check the expiration date for your Epson ink cartridge, refer to the information below:

If it’s an original Epson cartridge, check the expiration date that is imprinted or embossed clearly on the cartridge itself.
If it’s a non-Epson ink, base the expiration date on the day you ordered them since third-party manufacturers make sure that compatible and remanufactured cartridges are fresh from the factory every month. Do not base its expiration date on what is imprinted on the cartridges itself as remanufactured cartridges have been recycled and refilled. The shelf life for remanufactured ink is up to 20 months.

2. Wrong Cartridge Model Installed. Verify again that the cartridge you have in place is the correct one for your printer. While some cartridges may fit in your printer and have a similar appearance, your printer won’t accept them. Having said that, always verify the cartridge model number to ensure it is the correct one for your Epson printer.

3. Protective Tape was Not Removed. Make sure the tape over the nozzle or contact points is taken off. It typically has a bright color, like orange or yellow. Before installing the cartridge, completely remove it so your printer can recognize the cartridges.

4. Ink Not Installed Properly/Wrong Color Slot. Cartridges installed incorrectly or in the wrong color slot can sometimes result in non-recognition issues. If this is the case, remove and then reinstall your ink cartridges.

5. Damaged, Dirty, or Clogged Nozzles. If your ink has dirty or clogged nozzles, cleaning the printhead will do the trick. If not, it's possible that the nozzle is already damaged. Ensure not to touch the contacts of the ink cartridge when installing it to avoid issues like this.

6. Updated Firmware. If the printer’s firmware has been updated, there will be a difference in how to fix the non-recognition problem for genuine and non-genuine ink cartridges. Check which solution below fits your situation.

For genuine Epson ink, turning off and turning on your printer after a minute will resolve the issue. If it’s still not working, we suggest calling Epson’s support line.
For third-party ink cartridges, your printer won’t recognize it any longer unless you reset or downgrade the firmware of your Epson printer. This is only possible if a downloadable version of your printer’s old firmware is available. If none, you will need to use the original ones until the downloadable version is available. Fortunately, for printers using Epson 288/288XL printer ink, CompAndSave already has a downloadable version. Check CompAndSave’s Epson printer firmware reset and downgrade guide for step-by-step instructions.

Parting Words

If the need arises, we hope this guide to Epson printer problems and solutions will help you. Knowing how to fix the most common printer problems will not only save you time, but it will also help you save money. For more Epson problem troubleshooting tips, check out CompAndSave’s Epson printer troubleshooting guide.

Thanks for reading! Leave a comment if you have any questions. Looking to save money on your printing projects? Check out www.compandsave.com for some great deals on printer ink and accessories! Remember to follow our blog for more interesting printing related tips and guides.

About the Author

Showerly Sumaylo is a researcher and copywriter for Compandsave.com, Inc. CompAndSave is one of the biggest online stores in the US and Canada that sells printing and office supplies. She writes articles that teach people about printer ink cartridges, toner cartridges, photo papers, printers, and more.

Top 3 Common Epson Printer Problems and Solutions

Are you an Epson printer owner? Check out our guide on Epson printer problems and solutions to save time and money in the future. That said, let us dive right into our list of issues and Epson printer problem solutions.