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Printer prints blank images
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Jan 14, 2018 10:10:50   #
Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee
 
suntouched wrote:
Good Morning-
I have an Epson R3000 printer that has been sitting idle for a year or more. I connected it to wifi, downloaded new printer driver from Apple (for new computers since last used) and added the printer profile to my laptop and iMac. It goes through all the motions as though it was printing, with no error messages, but the paper comes out blank. Turned off computer, turned off printer (the common fixes), connected printer direct to computer with cord, and still blank. Happens this way with both computers. Tried printing from internal documents on my computers as well as from the Internet.

Replaced 3 ink cartridges with new ones, others are at least half full. Did head cleaning, tried to do test page but it comes out blank too so unable to see results. No error messages.

Googled for help without definitive results.

If no one here has any new ideas next steps will be to contact Epson and/or Apple.

Thank you.
Good Morning- br I have an Epson R3000 printer tha... (show quote)


The printer head is clogged from sitting unused for so long. Run the maintenance software to clean the head. If that does not work I would call Epson. Good luck.

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Jan 14, 2018 11:00:23   #
wilfred
 
It is a print head either it is blocked or no ink is getting to it. It is not a software communication problem. It is a hardware problem. Sometime getting a head back to life after such a long period of non use, takes days of trying. Soak the parking pad, do the shoe shine technique and keep doing nozzle cleanings. Always use the epson utility to do three cleanings in succession. The third cleaning is the strongest. This strongest cleaning cycle wont be reached if you just do a random cleaning, must do three (3) in succession.

A year layoff on an epson printer is certainly asking for this problem. Most of us have problems with the print head partially dropping a nozzle after just one week of non use and sometime less than a week.

If you get the head back, download "Qimage". You may find Qimage complicated to use, and that OK. Just use "unclog scheduler" and have it print the purge pattern at least one page per day. Oimage is an awesome printing program, however you don't have to take advantage of its too many features.

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Jan 14, 2018 11:01:11   #
wilfred
 
It is a print head either it is blocked or no ink is getting to it. It is not a software communication problem. It is a hardware problem. Sometime getting a head back to life after such a long period of non use, takes days of trying. Soak the parking pad, do the shoe shine technique and keep doing nozzle cleanings. Always use the epson utility to do three cleanings in succession. The third cleaning is the strongest. This strongest cleaning cycle wont be reached if you just do a random cleaning, must do three (3) in succession.

A year layoff on an epson printer is certainly asking for this problem. Most of us have problems with the print head partially dropping a nozzle after just one week of non use and sometime less than a week.

If you get the head back, download "Qimage". You may find Qimage complicated to use, and that OK. Just use "unclog scheduler" and have it print the purge pattern at least one page per day. Oimage is an awesome printing program, however you don't have to take advantage of its too many features.
wilfred

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Jan 14, 2018 11:20:49   #
LouV Loc: Juno Beach, FL
 
I had an Epson Photo printer (can’t recall the model) and after many years of sporadic use one or more of the jets clogged. And, no, you won’t get any error codes because that is too far down the line. By time the printer tries to print, the computer is pretty much out of the loop.

I tired cleaning the heads without taking the printer apart and nothing worked. The printer is stored away in a closet until I feel like dissecting it. Chances are it’ll just end up in the trash.

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Jan 14, 2018 11:26:59   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
The easy way to clean printheads is an ultrasonic clleaner like the ones draftsmen used to use to clean their pens (K&E makes a good one which can still be found), but the cost is likely similar to that of a replacement head.

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Jan 14, 2018 12:10:32   #
aellman Loc: Boston MA
 
suntouched wrote:
Good Morning-
I have an Epson R3000 printer that has been sitting idle for a year or more. I connected it to wifi, downloaded new printer driver from Apple (for new computers since last used) and added the printer profile to my laptop and iMac. It goes through all the motions as though it was printing, with no error messages, but the paper comes out blank. Turned off computer, turned off printer (the common fixes), connected printer direct to computer with cord, and still blank. Happens this way with both computers. Tried printing from internal documents on my computers as well as from the Internet.

Replaced 3 ink cartridges with new ones, others are at least half full. Did head cleaning, tried to do test page but it comes out blank too so unable to see results. No error messages.

Googled for help without definitive results.

If no one here has any new ideas next steps will be to contact Epson and/or Apple.

Thank you.
Good Morning- br I have an Epson R3000 printer tha... (show quote)


Definitely contact Epson. Best of luck. >Alan

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Jan 14, 2018 14:20:12   #
JD750 Loc: SoCal
 
Try printing a test page. If the yeast page comes out blank, then you will know for sure it is a printer problem.

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Jan 14, 2018 14:38:17   #
chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand
 
Your problem will be a blocked head. It will probably be very hard to clean and if you eventually get it sorted (by cleaning rather than a new head) you will need to keep using it to keep it clear. I have had various Epson printers
and they give excellent prints BUT the heads often block. I have a high end Canon printer that doesn't block (even after a couple of years of none use) but the results aren't as good as the Epson so I keep it for doing things like printing out maps etc (A3). I have not replaced the last Epson because of this persistent head blocking and having to go through multiple head cleaning cycles. If the head was made for easy removal and cleaning then maybe I would look again.
Now I live in New Zealand where the cost of printers, ink and paper makes your eyes water. I found that local print houses are actually cheaper by the time you add up consumables costs. They print about 70-80cm wide and continuous length. Set up multiple photos to fit whatever size you want and send it off. Takes about 3 days. Costs about $35 (last one did anyway and that is NZ$), you have to cut them out yourself as they come on a roll but the quality is at least as good as any Epson. You can email the originals in and have the result delivered by courier in a cardboard tube for a few bucks extra so very convenient. I see no need for a new printer with all its cost and persistent hassles OTHER then the slight extra buzz you can gain by being able to print out NOW.

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Jan 14, 2018 15:04:12   #
suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ
 
From all your replies- and thank you so much-looks like it is unanimous that it is a blocked head. I have nothing to lose by trying the solutions suggested. If it doesn't work I will probably not replace the printer as I am dividing time in two locations and there is no way around it sitting idle for at least 6 months of the year. I will plan to outsource printing needs.
Appreciate everyone who took the time to respond!!

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Jan 14, 2018 21:02:35   #
Indiana Loc: Huntington, Indiana
 
suntouched wrote:
Good Morning-
I have an Epson R3000 printer that has been sitting idle for a year or more. I connected it to wifi, downloaded new printer driver from Apple (for new computers since last used) and added the printer profile to my laptop and iMac. It goes through all the motions as though it was printing, with no error messages, but the paper comes out blank. Turned off computer, turned off printer (the common fixes), connected printer direct to computer with cord, and still blank. Happens this way with both computers. Tried printing from internal documents on my computers as well as from the Internet.

Replaced 3 ink cartridges with new ones, others are at least half full. Did head cleaning, tried to do test page but it comes out blank too so unable to see results. No error messages.

Googled for help without definitive results.

If no one here has any new ideas next steps will be to contact Epson and/or Apple.

Thank you.
Good Morning- br I have an Epson R3000 printer tha... (show quote)


I had a similar problem with my inkjet HP. I cleaned the heads several times with hydrogen peroxide as recommended on youtube, and it finally cleared up. It prints good now. I think it was more of non usage than anything else. Hope this helps. I was just as frustrated as you were...and even replaced some ink thinking that was the problem...which it wasn't.

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