Need help with Epson 3800 printer - head clogged: My nephew has an Epson 3800 printer and one of the nozzles for black ink is clogged. He has tried deep cleaning but that doesn't...

photonaut Loc: Albuquerque, New Mexico USA

My nephew has an Epson 3800 printer and one of the nozzles for black ink is clogged. He has tried deep cleaning but that doesn't clear the nozzle. He is willing to remove the print head. What suggestions do group members have for a person wanting to clean the head themselves. If that doesn't work, where could he get it repaired/replaced? Thanks ahead of time for any timely advice.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

The attached shows what my wife and her brother worked out for her Epson.

Attached file:
(Download)

lbivins Loc: Green Valley, AZ.

Amazon has Printhead cleaning kits for abt $13.00

camshot Loc: Peterborough ontario Canada

Get the cleaning kit from Amazon, take strong paper towels make a pad about 4" X 1"and about 1/4' thick. Turn the printer on, and when the printing head comes to about the mid point, pull the plug to stop it. soak the pad you made with the fluid, and slide it under the print head, leave it for 5 or 6 hours then remove the pad, it will be loaded with old ink from the head. plug it in and try a test, it should be ok, if not re do the cleaning, though usually the first attempt will clear it.

nealbralley Loc: Kansas

I once had an Epson Eco-Tank printer, the printer head got clogged, and I was unable to get it unclogged. I threw it away, and then I bought a Canon G7020, and so far, so good.

I think Epson printers may have a bit of a "track record" with clogged print heads.

My Epson printed well until it didn't.

CTTonymm Loc: Connecticut

camshot wrote:

Get the cleaning kit from Amazon, take strong pape... (show quote)

I have used this head cleaning process 4-5 times now on two Epson printers (R-1400 and X-15000). You don't need the Amazon cleaning kit - use Windex with Ammonia. Just fold the paper towels to sit on the ink platen surface and pull the print head over the towel and when finished as above, run a nozzle check. If there are still any blotches or missing sections of the print-out, run a cleaning cycle on the printer and it should clear up. Incidentally, the "guru" for printer (José Rodriguez) has a Facebook home and YouTube channel that you can visit and see MANY videos organized in Playlists. One cannot fail to learn lots of printer stuff there.

Henlopen Loc: Lewes, Delaware

I second the advice that Jose Rodriquez gives on his YouTube videos regarding refilling cartridges. I learned a lot just from watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ds30QGVhS4
Just a 5 minute spot that is loaded with useful information on refilling.

CTTonymm Loc: Connecticut

Henlopen wrote:

I second the advice that Jose Rodriquez gives on his YouTube videos regarding refilling cartridges. I learned a lot just from watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ds30QGVhS4
Just a 5 minute spot that is loaded with useful information on refilling.

Yes, José has a passion and much knowledge for refilling carts (and saving money). I started successfully refilling my Epson R-1400 with inks from Precision Colors following his instructions. Unfortunately, I am unable to refill my new Epson XP-15000 because I operate on a mac and the software to disconnect the printer firmware only runs on Windows. Hopefully, I can find a work-around soon (Parallels, others ?).

photonaut Loc: Albuquerque, New Mexico USA

Thanks to everyone who has offered advice. I will pass it along to my nephew and wait for good news from him.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

photonaut wrote:

My nephew has an Epson 3800 printer and one of the nozzles for black ink is clogged. He has tried deep cleaning but that doesn't clear the nozzle. He is willing to remove the print head. What suggestions do group members have for a person wanting to clean the head themselves. If that doesn't work, where could he get it repaired/replaced? Thanks ahead of time for any timely advice.

JTOOLMAN on Utube. Excellent information and a Epson and Canon specialist for al.ost his entire life.

nikonbrain Loc: Crystal River Florida

UTMike wrote:

The attached shows what my wife and her brother worked out for her Epson.

The area in the photo appears to be the capping station where the head comes to rest . What is disturbing are all the tiny ball shaped particles almost as if 2 dissimilar ink types not mixing . I received a slightly used Epson 1900 one nozzle was clogged when I checked the tanks of ink I found the black tank was from sawgrass which sells dye sub ink someone installed a non compatible ink into a pigment ink head the 2 don't mix .That liquid in the capping station doesn't look right .