eshotwell Loc: Eaton Rapids, Michigan

Is it just me or is the fantastic Epson 4900 17" printer the most frustrating, ink sucking, and perpetually clogged printer ever made? When it works the prints are so, so good, but it never, ever works without being coaxed back to life.

I'm just an amateur photographer with a limited budget so the purchase and maintenance of a wide format professional printer is a big deal. I don't ask much though; I just expect it to work when it's fired up; just like my cameras, scanner, computer, smartphone, and all the rest. I doesn't. In fact it never does.

This is my second Epson 4900. The first one died a very premature death at less than 500 prints. Yes, Espon did stand behind it and sent out a replacement right away. All I had to do is box up the 200 lb beast and send it back; haul it down a flight of stairs, and haul the new one upstairs. No problem!

The second printer worked great, but they replaced my less than 500 print model with a heavily used and recycled copy with more than 17,000 prints on the print head. I complained, but to no avail.

Now it is a couple of years later and I've got a whopping 400+ prints on the new (recycled) 4900 and it is hopelessly clogged again. I've tried everything, read everything, called Epson; and now I've got the much feared "1a39" printhead error... it's dead!

Hey, it's Sunday morning and I'm just trying to figure out what to do. From everything I've read, the printer is a goner. Epson has offered to send out service from Detroit (100 miles) for time and materials and mileage with zero guarantee of success. I don't think it's worth the investment and never will be.

I think what really galls me is that Epson is totally unapologetic about the situation. If this were a car there would be a massive nationwide recall ordered. There's no apology, no discount, no replacement... nothing.

So that's my Sunday morning rant. Ideas are welcome. I just wish there was some media that would allow me a place to vent my frustrations with Epson and this "Lemon" of a printer. I'll probably just sip a little more coffee and do some more research into the Canon Prograph wide format printers. :-)

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I've been using Epson printers for 25 years. The only problems I have ever experienced were generated by me. It doesn't sound like you use it too terribly often. Not always, but sometimes, when a printer sits for weeks without use crap happens. Heads get clogged and so forth. Kinda like keeping the wife happy. You gotta use 'em.

BebuLamar

That's my problem. I don't have the need of printing photos that often. For most of the document, forms etc.. day to day printing a B&W laser printer is fast and inexpensive to use. If I need to print something in color like a chart or map a color laser printer is also better.
For photo I do like the dye sub but they are a dying breed and there isn't any certainty that I can buy supply in the future.
That's left me with ink jet but both the Canon and Epson would clog is I don't use them so often but I don't have the need for using it often.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Need another adjective?

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Welcome to the computer world were everything is beta....

eshotwell Loc: Eaton Rapids, Michigan

Don't get me wrong... I love Epson printers! I've got a 2200 that prints like a champ and an R200 for letters and checks that has never failed me. It's that blasted Stylus Pro 4900 that will not work, ever. I'll bet that over the years I have had at least 10 different Epson models and the Epson V700 scanner and several other Epson scanners. Never a problem. There is a problem with the x900 series of printers that they will not address. -ED

ralphc4176 Loc: Conyers, GA

I had an Epson wide-carriage printer that I didn't use very often. Whenever I tried to use it after a long period of non-use, turned off, there would be one or more clogged nozzles; sometimes, I'd have to do so many cleaning cycles to get all nozzles cleared that I'd end up replacing all eight ink tanks. When it worked, it was great, but I couldn't afford a whole set of ink each time a wanted to print a few glossy photos, so I gave it away to someone who would use it on a regular basis. I replaced it with a Canon Pro 9000 Mark II. Under the same operating conditions as my Epson, I've never had to clear any nozzles. Handles up to 13 inches wide.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

eshotwell,what ink are you using? Epson or aftermarket?
How do you shut it down? Do you use the power button on the printer or do you just turn off a power strip?
I notice that my Epson goes through a complete shut down routine when shut off using the printer's power button. I suspect that this routine helps keep the nozzles from plugging. My Artisan 837 is about 3 yr old. I will sometimes go for a month or more without printing anything. Have never yet had a problem, but I almost always use the power button and always use Epson ink.

RRRoger Loc: Monterey Bay, California

I have the exact same problem and it always has to do with lack of use.

The first few years of my Epson 4000 were exemptory. I used the printer more than once a week and the print quality was excellent. Then the after the Obomination started, Event Photo Business tanked. Several weeks without use and error messengers started, streaking and colors missing and waste tanks filling from constant cleaning cycles.

My friend prints something with his 24" Epson every week just to avoid problems and I think that is cheaper than one deep cleaning not to mention other problems.

I suggest we toss our printers and find a good lab for the occasional print. They might even take your old cartridges for partial payment.

If you find someone who will pay shipping, I will send them my printer and supplies and clear a large part of my desktop.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

I solved my 4900 problems by donating it! Less than 200 prints. Epson simply did not want to talk to me without $$$$$$$$$.

First, a small roller wheel under the cover was missing, but not noted at first because I wasn't printing 17". Their solution was $300 for an entirely new cover. After a long search I found a repair shop in Wisconsin that had bags of these wheels from a earlier model that although gray were perfect. They sent me a dozen for the cost of postage.

Second, the 4900 eats paper. It wants to grab the right leading edge, when printing from the back sheet feeder, and bend it up so it jams. Cost a lot of paper.

I now have a 3880. I should have bought it first. It is a tank.

I'll put a post on clogging as a second reply.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

To minimize head clogs. A point I picked up at the Santa Fe Photo Workshops.

Musicians use a product called "dampit" or "damp it" or other names. It is a perforated tube with a sponge inside. When not printing for awhile, they moisten these and set them in the printer (not so wet as to drip) and cover the top with a plastic sheet. This keeps moisture in the printer and they say minimizes head clogs.

Another point, a friend bought an Epson 3000. The head clogs continuously, and it is on its way back to Epson.

I am looking at the 600 series printer. Has 30 ml ink tanks and will print small greeting cards.

Don Fischer Loc: Antelope, Ore

I've had four Epson's but no wide format. Have had very bad experiences with all but the first, an R300. I won't buy an Epson again, my Canon blows them away. I suspect that clogging could be a problem with any printer. I make sure I print out a couple photo's a month even if I have to throw them away. Oh yea, I found Epson's customer service left a lot to be desired! Have only used Canon customer service once, very good.

GreenReaper

I had an old Epson Photostylus (?) that I loved. Let it sit for about a year one time, had to take it in to get the heads cleaned and was told to try to use it at least once a day. I set up some small RGB circles, overlapped and the same for CMYK that I would print at least every other day to keep the heads unclogged, worked great till I had to let it sit unused again. I finally put it in a garage sale.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I have been printing with the Epson 3880 pro (the model before the 4900), for many, many years and never had an issue of any kind. The nozzles never clogged, even when it was not used for a whole year ( after sitting for a whole year, started it up and it printed just fine - no dried ink). It uses only a small amount of ink and I could not be happier with its performance. I think you got un lucky and received a lemon, which I think Epson would happily exchange for you during warranty ( their customer service is great).

blankmange Loc: down on the farm...

they did exchange it - with a used printer....