When to clean your print head

Applies To:

Epson EcoTank, Expression and WorkForce Printers

Description:

This article explains when you should run a Print Head Cleaning and how to check whether your printer needs one. Print Head Cleaning helps resolve issues such as missing colours, banding, faint print, or incorrect colour mixing.

Solution

1. Before you begin

Before running any cleaning cycle:

  • Ensure all ink levels are sufficient. Low ink can prevent cleaning from working properly.

  • Make sure the printer has no error lights or warning messages on the control panel.

  • Avoid performing multiple cleanings in a short period; excessive cleaning can consume ink unnecessarily.

2. Print a Nozzle Check

A nozzle check shows whether all colours are printing correctly. To print a nozzle check:

  • Refer to your printer's user guide, available on the Support section of your local Epson website.

3. Compare your Nozzle Check results

Your printed pattern may look like one of the following common issues:

Example A - Missing lines in all colours 
Missing lines in all colours 
Indicates general clogging across multiple colours.

Example B - Missing black only 
Missing black only 
Indicates clogging in the black channel.

Example C - Colours mixed or printed incorrectly 
Colours mixed or printed incorrectly 
Indicates misfiring nozzles or severe clogging.

Note:

Appearance varies depending on model.

4. Complete Print Head Cleaning

If the nozzle check shows missing segments, gaps, or mixed colours, run a Print Head Cleaning.

For more details, see: How to Fix Print Quality Issues on Epson Printers

5. For EcoTank, Expression and WorkForce Printers: Power Cleaning

If normal printhead cleaning does not resolve the issue:

  • Some models may offer a Power Cleaning / Power Ink Flushing option

  • This uses more ink and should only be done after multiple standard cleans.

For more details, see: When to perform a Power Clean

6. When NOT to clean the print head

Avoid running cleaning cycles when:

  • Ink levels are low.

  • The printer displays hardware errors.

  • You’ve already cleaned repeatedly in a short time — wait at least 12 hours between attempts.