I know I am probably number one million and so many having problems with an Epson printer all of a sudden, and instantaneously, starting to
'print' blank pages only.
I have searched this forum for solutions and googled many other forums for answers to 'the blank paper' problem.
I have tried all the solutions that were offered, but unfortunately with no luck.
Actually, I have two of these old 460's , and they both behave the same way: making all the movements and noises as if it were printing, but spitting out blank paper only, while moving thru the 'printed' document line by line.
I have tried both printers with a Windows XP machine as well as with a Windows 98 machine, both with the most recent drivers for the OS.
I have specifically done following:
- made sure that the vacuum tube is connected to the waste ink pad
- made sure that the print heads are not clogged (at least not all) by connecting a syringe to the end of the vacuum tube and pulling half a syringe full of mixed color ink from the cartridge(s), thru the printhead(s), the vacuum tube into the syringe (this also proves that the vacuum tube has not come loose)
- reset all the counters (including the 'protection counter'), both by applying the manual method as well as with the SSC program ([url=http://www.ssclg.com]
- ran numerous cleaning cycles
Does anybody know that one solution that I have not found?
"vanburen" <vanburen.341ykm@no.email.invalid> wrote in message
news:vanburen.341ykm@no.email.invalid...
>
> I know I am probably number one million and so many having problems with
> an Epson printer all of a sudden, and instantaneously, starting to
> 'print' blank pages only.
>
> I have searched this forum for solutions and googled many other forums
> for answers to 'the blank paper' problem.
>
> I have tried all the solutions that were offered, but unfortunately
> with no luck.
>
> Actually, I have two of these old 460's , and they both behave the same
> way: making all the movements and noises as if it were printing, but
> spitting out blank paper only, while moving thru the 'printed' document
> line by line.
>
> I have tried both printers with a Windows XP machine as well as with a
> Windows 98 machine, both with the most recent drivers for the OS.
>
> I have specifically done following:
>
> - made sure that the vacuum tube is connected to the waste ink pad
>
> - made sure that the print heads are not clogged (at least not all) by
> connecting a syringe to the end of the vacuum tube and pulling half a
> syringe full of mixed color ink from the cartridge(s), thru the
> printhead(s), the vacuum tube into the syringe (this also proves that
> the vacuum tube has not come loose)
>
> - reset all the counters (including the 'protection counter'), both by
> applying the manual method as well as with the SSC program
> ([url=http://www.ssclg.com]
>
> - ran numerous cleaning cycles
>
> Does anybody know that one solution that I have not found?
>
> vanburen
>
>
What happens when you try a nozzle check pattern?
--
Jan Alter
bearpuf@verizon.net
or
jalter@phila.k12.pa.us
"Jan Alter" <bearpuf@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:PMroj.30114$e46.10175@trnddc04...
>
> "vanburen" <vanburen.341ykm@no.email.invalid> wrote in message
> news:vanburen.341ykm@no.email.invalid...
>>
>> I know I am probably number one million and so many having problems with
>> an Epson printer all of a sudden, and instantaneously, starting to
>> 'print' blank pages only.
>>
>> I have searched this forum for solutions and googled many other forums
>> for answers to 'the blank paper' problem.
>>
>> I have tried all the solutions that were offered, but unfortunately
>> with no luck.
>>
>> Actually, I have two of these old 460's , and they both behave the same
>> way: making all the movements and noises as if it were printing, but
>> spitting out blank paper only, while moving thru the 'printed' document
>> line by line.
>>
>> I have tried both printers with a Windows XP machine as well as with a
>> Windows 98 machine, both with the most recent drivers for the OS.
>>
>> I have specifically done following:
>>
>> - made sure that the vacuum tube is connected to the waste ink pad
>>
>> - made sure that the print heads are not clogged (at least not all) by
>> connecting a syringe to the end of the vacuum tube and pulling half a
>> syringe full of mixed color ink from the cartridge(s), thru the
>> printhead(s), the vacuum tube into the syringe (this also proves that
>> the vacuum tube has not come loose)
>>
>> - reset all the counters (including the 'protection counter'), both by
>> applying the manual method as well as with the SSC program
>> ([url=http://www.ssclg.com]
>>
>> - ran numerous cleaning cycles
>>
>> Does anybody know that one solution that I have not found?
>>
>> vanburen
>>
>>
>
> What happens when you try a nozzle check pattern?
> --
Have you run cleaning cycles? The best manner to do this is to run a
cleaning cycle then run a nozzle check pattern, and then continue the
alternating process if you are starting to get some positive results for up
to four or five cycles at the most.
In regards to your diagnostic of pulling ink through the waste tube; the
head membrane is very delicate and could be ruptured if too much pressure is
applied.
> Jan Alter
> bearpuf@verizon.net
> or
> jalter@phila.k12.pa.us
>
Basically, there are two main causes for nothing showing up on the
paper, and each of those have numerous possible reasons for them:
Ink not leaving the nozzles:
- empty ink tanks
- ink starvation (due to overly thickened ink, clogged air vent,
encrusted batting/sponges, etc)
- clogged heads (nozzles or ink channels or ink nipples or encrusted ink
underhead)
- air lock in head (usually relievable if vacuum system is working)
- vacuum pump not operating
- vacuum tube not connected to pump
- cleaning station seal not working (Due to damage, ink build up or
improper placement)
-air leakage around the ink outlet/ink nipple seal
Electronic failures:
- detached ribbon cable to head or at main board
- damaged ribbon cable between head/main board
- failed head
- failed nozzle selection circuit or flexible cable connecting head and
nozzle selection circuit (these are one unit referred to typically as
the printer head)
- failed logic circuits
- other failed hardware
You indicate that the ink is flowing from the heads to the cleaning
station and out to the vacuum tube, meaning at least some of the heads
probably are allowing ink through.
However, that doesn't rule out ink starvation. A syringe can pull ink
out of cartridges but create a vacuum which then upon removing the
syringe causes a vacuum in the cartridge. Make sure the ink is flowing
in the head (not thickened from sitting around or excessively out of
expiration ink) and that the air vents are working. Also, if you use
older cartridge that are refilled regularly, make sure the seals between
the cartridge outlets and the ink nipples are secure and seal, that the
ink nipple filters are clean. If you have any fresh cartridges, try
them, because old cartridges can develop problems with air bubbles, and
other things that may prevent ink from flowing properly.
In terms of head failures. They rarely fail completely outright, and
especially since you have two with the same issue. I'm apt to discount
electronic failure.
Art
vanburen wrote:
> I know I am probably number one million and so many having problems with
> an Epson printer all of a sudden, and instantaneously, starting to
> 'print' blank pages only.
>
> I have searched this forum for solutions and googled many other forums
> for answers to 'the blank paper' problem.
>
> I have tried all the solutions that were offered, but unfortunately
> with no luck.
>
> Actually, I have two of these old 460's , and they both behave the same
> way: making all the movements and noises as if it were printing, but
> spitting out blank paper only, while moving thru the 'printed' document
> line by line.
>
> I have tried both printers with a Windows XP machine as well as with a
> Windows 98 machine, both with the most recent drivers for the OS.
>
> I have specifically done following:
>
> - made sure that the vacuum tube is connected to the waste ink pad
>
> - made sure that the print heads are not clogged (at least not all) by
> connecting a syringe to the end of the vacuum tube and pulling half a
> syringe full of mixed color ink from the cartridge(s), thru the
> printhead(s), the vacuum tube into the syringe (this also proves that
> the vacuum tube has not come loose)
>
> - reset all the counters (including the 'protection counter'), both by
> applying the manual method as well as with the SSC program
> ([url=http://www.ssclg.com]
>
> - ran numerous cleaning cycles
>
> Does anybody know that one solution that I have not found?
>
> vanburen
>
>
Epson SC 460 spitting out blank paper 
Linear Mode
