How to Reset Ink Levels on an EcoTank Printer

Applies To

  • Hardware: Epson EcoTank and ink tank (L series) printers, both models with a display (LCD or touchscreen) and models with a basic button-and-light control panel only
  • Software: Resetting the ink level counter itself is done on the printer's own control panel. Separately, EPSON Status Monitor 3 (Windows) or the printer utility (macOS) can be used from your computer to view, but not reset, estimated ink levels
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Description

EcoTank printers estimate remaining ink by tracking usage internally — they do not measure the ink in the tanks directly. After you refill a tank, most models need to be told which colours were refilled so the estimate can be reset to full. Exactly how you do this depends on your printer's control panel: some models prompt you automatically as part of refilling, others require a menu, and basic models with no screen have no counter to reset at all.

Note: The accuracy of the low-ink alert system depends on the tanks being filled correctly, to the upper line. Continued use of the printer when ink is below the lower line on a tank can damage it. Periodically check the ink tanks visually to confirm the actual level, regardless of what any on-screen indicator shows.

Visually checking the ink level in an EcoTank tank

Symptoms

  • The ink level shown on the printer's screen, or in the printer status software on your computer, still shows low or empty after refilling the tanks
  • The printer displays a message asking you to select which ink tanks you refilled
  • On a printer with no screen, there is no ink level percentage shown anywhere — only the physical markings on the tank itself

Solution

Select the option that matches your printer's control panel.

Printers With a Display (LCD or Touchscreen)

Refill each ink tank to the upper line first — see KA-02080: How to Refill Ink Tanks on an EcoTank Printer. What happens next depends on your model:

Newer models with a full-colour touchscreen

On these models, resetting the ink level is built into the refill process itself — there is no separate menu to find:

  1. As soon as you close the ink tank cover after refilling, the screen automatically prompts you to confirm which colour(s) you refilled.
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions and select each colour you refilled to reset its ink level.
Note: If you refilled two or more tanks, make sure you select all of them at this prompt. The displayed ink level will not change for any colour you don't select, even though you've physically refilled it.

Older models with a simpler LCD

On these models, reset the ink level yourself from the Maintenance menu after refilling:

  1. Turn on the printer, and press the home button if necessary.
  2. Select Setup (or Maintenance, depending on your model) and press OK.
  3. Select Maintenance > Reset Ink Level (on some models this appears as Reset Ink Levels, one menu level up under Setup).
    Reset Ink Level option shown on the printer's Maintenance menu

    Example shown: Epson M2140. Screen layout and wording vary by model.
  4. Press the Start button, then press OK.
  5. Use the arrow buttons to highlight each ink tank colour you refilled, and press OK to select it. Repeat for every colour you refilled.
  6. Press Start to reset the selected ink levels, then press OK once the reset is complete.
Note: If you're not sure which of the two flows above applies to your model, try refilling and closing the tank cover first — if nothing prompts you automatically within a few seconds, use the manual menu steps instead.

Checking the result from your computer

Once reset, you can view the estimated ink levels from your computer as well as the printer's screen:

  • Windows: open the printer driver, select the Maintenance tab, and click EPSON Status Monitor 3. If it's greyed out, click Extended Settings on the same tab and enable it.
  • macOS: open the Apple menu > System Preferences (or System Settings) > Printers & Scanners > select your printer > Options & Supplies > Utility > Open Printer Utility > EPSON Status Monitor.
Note: This only lets you view the estimate — the reset itself must still be done on the printer as above.

Printers Without a Display

Basic EcoTank and ink tank models with only status lights and buttons (no screen) do not have a software ink level counter to reset. These printers cannot show a percentage, so there is no on-screen estimate to correct.

Instead, Epson's official guidance for these models is to check ink levels visually:

  1. Look directly at the ink tank through its transparent housing.
  2. Confirm the ink is at or above the lower line marked on the tank.
  3. If it is below the lower line, refill that tank to the upper line before continuing to print.
Note: There is no button combination that resets an ink level counter on these models, because no such counter exists. If your non-display model still won't print or shows a light-based error after refilling, that indicates a different fault rather than an ink level counter issue.