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How to perform a Printer Operation Check (Self Test)
RELATES TO:
- Inkjet printers and All-In-Ones
- The printer does not print
- There is a communication error
- The printer is not working correctly
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
EXPLANATION:
If you are experiencing communication problems we recommend you try a printer operation check (or self test). This is a print directly from the printer. This will confirm whether or not the printer itself is working correctly. This article applies to A4 and A3 inkjet printers and All-In-Ones only. If you have a Large Format printer or Laser printer, please refer to your user guide for further help.
 Note: |
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A printer operation check cannot be performed if any error lights or error messages are displayed on the printer's control panel. This indicates a problem with the printer relating to the paper feed, cartridges or internal components. An error light on an Epson printer is always red or amber. If any error lights or messages are displayed on the printer, search the Knowledge Base for a solution or see your printer's user guide. |
Check the table below and click on your product model to display the specific instructions for your printer. Follow the instructions that will appear below the table to perform a printer operation check.
Printers with a 
Maintenance button
- Check that there are no error lights and the green
on light is steady.
- Power
off the printer.
- Disconnect the printer's data cable so that it is no longer connected to the computer.
If you use the parallel interface, power off both the computer and printer before disconnecting the interface cable. Unlock the wire clips on both sides of the interface connector and remove the ground connector, if necessary. Then disconnect the cable from the printer's interface connector.
- Make sure that A4 or Letter size paper is loaded in the auto sheet feeder.
- Hold down the Maintenance button and press the Power button to turn on the printer. Then release only the Power button. When the printer takes in a sheet of paper release the Maintenance button.
- A test page prints showing a nozzle check pattern. See Printer Operation Check result.
Printers with a separate 
Paper and 
Ink button
- Check that there are no error lights and the green on light is steady.
- Power off the printer.
- Disconnect the printer's data cable so that it is no longer connected to the computer.
If you use the parallel interface, power off both the computer and printer before disconnecting the interface cable. Unlock the wire clips on both sides of the interface connector and remove the ground connector, if necessary. Then disconnect the cable from the printer's interface connector.
- Make sure that A4 or Letter size paper is loaded in the auto sheet feeder. Where appropriate check that the CD/DVD tray is not inserted in the printer and that the CD/DVD guide is up.
- Hold down the Paper button and press the Power button to turn on the printer. Then release the Power button only. When the printer takes in a sheet of paper release the Paper button.
- A test page prints showing a nozzle check pattern. See Printer Operation Check result.
Photo 925 and 935
- Check that there are no error lights or error messages on the LCD panel.
- Disconnect the printer's data cable so that it is no longer connected to the computer.
- Make sure that A4 or Letter size paper is loaded in the auto sheet feeder. Where appropriate check that the CD/DVD tray is not inserted in the printer and that the CD/DVD guide is up.
- Print a nozzle check pattern from the LCD panel menu.
- Press the Maintenance button, select Nozzle Check from the LCD panel and then follow the on-screen instructions.
- A test page prints showing a nozzle check pattern. See Printer Operation Check result.
Photo R300 and R320
- Check that there are no error lights or error messages on the LCD panel.
- Disconnect the printer's data cable so that it is no longer connected to the computer.
- Make sure that A4 or Letter size paper is loaded in the auto sheet feeder. Where appropriate check that the CD/DVD tray is not inserted in the printer and that the CD/DVD guide is up.
- Print a nozzle check pattern from the LCD panel menu.
- Press the Advanced button so that Advanced is lit green, then press the Maintenance button. Select Nozzle Check from the LCD Menu and then follow the on-screen instructions.
- A test page prints showing a nozzle check pattern. See Printer Operation Check result.
Photo R240, R245, R340 and R360
- Check that there are no error lights or error messages on the LCD panel.
- Disconnect the printer's data cable so that it is no longer connected to the computer.
- Make sure that A4 or Letter size paper is loaded in the auto sheet feeder. Where appropriate check that the CD/DVD tray is not inserted in the printer and that the CD/DVD guide is up.
- Print a nozzle check pattern from the LCD panel menu.
Press the
Setup button.- R240/R245: Use the
Left or 
Right arrow buttons to select Check Ink Nozzles, then press the Start button. Follow the on-screen instructions.
- R340: Use the
Up or 
Down button to select Nozzle Check. Press the Right arrow button and follow the on-screen instructions.
- R360: Use the Left or Right arrow buttons to highlight Maintenance, then press the OK button. Use the Up or Down button to select Nozzle Check, then press the OK button. Press the Start button. Follow the on-screen instructions.
- A test page prints showing a nozzle check pattern. See Printer Operation Check result.
- R240/R245: Use the
"Stylus Scan" All-In-Ones
- Check that there are no red error lights and the green on light is steady.
- Power off the printer.
- Disconnect the All-In-One's data cable so that it is no longer connected to the computer.
If you use the parallel interface, power off both the computer and printer before disconnecting the interface cable. Unlock the wire clips on both sides of the interface connector and remove the ground connector, if necessary. Then disconnect the cable from the printer's interface connector.
- Make sure that A4 or Letter size paper is loaded in the auto sheet feeder.
- Hold down the
Paper (load/eject) button and press the Power button to turn on the printer. Then release the Power button only. When the printer takes in a sheet of paper release the Paper (load/eject) button.
Stylus Scan 2000:
Stylus Scan 2500:
- A test page prints showing a nozzle check pattern. See Printer Operation Check result.
All-In-Ones with an Ink or 
Stop button (no LCD screen)
- Check that there are no error lights and the green on light is steady.
- Power off the printer.
- Disconnect the printer's data cable so that it is no longer connected to the computer.
- Make sure that A4 or Letter size paper is loaded in the auto sheet feeder.
- Hold down the Ink or Stop button (depending on your model) and the Power button together for 10 seconds then release them.
- A test page prints showing a nozzle check pattern. See Printer Operation Check result.
All-In-Ones CX3200, CX5200 and CX5400
- Check that there are no error lights or error messages on the LCD panel.
- Disconnect the printer's data cable so that it is no longer connected to the computer.
- Make sure that A4 or Letter size paper is loaded in the auto sheet feeder.
- Press the
Right menu button until Nozzle Check is displayed then press the 
Colour Copy button.
- A test page prints showing a nozzle check pattern. See Printer Operation Check result.
All-In-Ones DX and RX range with an LCD screen
- Check that there are no error lights or error messages on the LCD panel.
- Disconnect the printer's data cable so that it is no longer connected to the computer.
- Make sure that A4 or Letter size paper is loaded in the auto sheet feeder. Where appropriate check that the CD/DVD tray is not inserted in the printer and that the CD/DVD guide is up.
- Press the Setup button, select Nozzle Check from the LCD panel and then follow the on-screen instructions.
- A test page prints showing a nozzle check pattern. See Printer Operation Check result.
All-In-Ones with an LCD screen
- Make sure both the printer and computer are turned off.
- If using a USB or Ethernet connection, disconnect the cable from the interface connector of the printer.
- Make sure that A4 size paper is loaded in the auto sheet feeder. For the PX700W/PX710W, make sure that A4 size paper is loaded in the main tray in the paper cassette.
If your printer has a CD/DVD print feature, check that it is not in CD/DVD mode or if your printer came with a CD/DVD tray, that the tray is not inserted in the printer.
- Press the On button to turn on the printer.
- Press the Setup button to enter the setup mode.
- Press the
Left or Right button to select Maintenance, then press the OK button.
- Press the Up or Down button to select Nozzle Check, then press the OK button.
- Press the
Start button to start the ink nozzle check.
- A test page prints showing a nozzle check pattern. See Printer Operation Check result.
Stylus PX8xxxx Series (All-In-Ones with a touch-panel LCD)
To run a printer operation check, follow these steps. Use the , , or buttons to change the view of the LCD screen to find the mode you want to enter.
- Make sure both the printer and computer are turned off.
- If using a USB or Ethernet connection, disconnect the cable from the interface connector of the printer.
- Make sure that A4 size paper is loaded in the main tray in the paper cassette. If your printer has a CD/DVD print feature, check that it is not in CD/DVD mode.
- Press the On button to turn on the printer.
- Enter Setup mode from the Home menu.
- Enter Maintenance.
- Enter Nozzle Check.
- Press the Start button to start the ink nozzle check.
- A test page prints showing a nozzle check pattern. See Printer Operation Check result.
Stylus Office BX3xxx Series
- Make sure both the printer and computer are turned off.
- If using a USB or Ethernet connection, disconnect the cable from the interface connector of the printer.
- Press the On button to turn on the printer.
- Make sure that A4 or Letter size paper is loaded in the auto sheet feeder.
- Press the
Menu button to open the copy settings menu.
- Press the Up or Down button to select Maintenance, then press the OK button.
- Press the Up or Down button to select Nozzle Check, then press the
Colour Copy button to start the ink nozzle check.
- A test page prints showing a nozzle check pattern. See Printer Operation Check result.
Selected Stylus Color models
- Check that there are no error lights and the green Power light is steady.
- Power off the printer.
- Disconnect the printer's data cable so that it is no longer connected to the computer.
If you use the parallel interface, power off both the computer and printer before disconnecting the interface cable. Unlock the wire clips on both sides of the interface connector and remove the ground connector, if necessary. Then disconnect the cable from the printer's interface connector.
- Make sure that A4 or Letter size paper is loaded in the auto sheet feeder.
- Follow the instruction below for your printer:
- Stylus Color, Stylus Color II, Stylus Color IIs
Stylus Color 1500
Stylus Color 1520:Hold down the LOAD/EJECT button and press the
Power button to turn on the printer. Then release only the Power button. When the printer takes in a sheet of paper release the LOAD/EJECT button when the printer begins to print.
- Stylus Color 200:
Hold down the Cleaning button and press the
Power button to turn on the printer. Then release only the Power button. When the printer takes in a sheet of paper release the Cleaning button when the printer begins to print.
- Stylus Color 500:
Hold down the
Cleaning (black) button and press the Power button to turn on the printer. Then release only the Power button. When the printer takes in a sheet of paper release the Cleaning (black) button when the printer begins to print.
- Stylus Color, Stylus Color II, Stylus Color IIs
- A test page prints showing a nozzle check pattern. See Printer Operation Check result.
Business Inkjet models
B-300:
- Make sure both the printer and computer are turned off.
- Disconnect the cable from the interface connector of the printer.
- Make sure that A4 size paper is loaded in the front paper cassette.
- Hold down the
Paper/Cancel button and press the Power button to turn on the printer. When the printer turns on, release both the buttons.
- A test page prints showing a firmware version and a nozzle check pattern.
- A test page prints showing a nozzle check pattern. See Printer Operation Check result.
To check the status and see the current values of the printer you can print a status sheet. To do this, follow steps 1-3 above and with the printer powered off, turn on the printer while holding down the Ink button. The printer prints the status sheet.
B-310N, B-500DN, B-510DN:
- Make sure that A4 size paper is loaded in the front paper cassette.
- Make sure that READY appears on the LCD screen, and then press the Right button to enter menu mode. Menu appears on the LCD screen.
- Press the Down or Up button to select TEST PRINT, and then press the OK or Right button.
- Press the Down or Up button to select NOZZLE CHECK, and then press the OK or Right button.
- Press the OK button to print the nozzle check pattern.
- After printing, the cleaning menu appears. We recommend referring to the section below titled "Printer Operation Check result" to review the nozzle check pattern and check if cleaning is required and what further action to take.
Note:
To resume printing from a computer, you must exit the Menu mode. To do this, press the
Left button twice.
If cleaning or further action is required:
- After printing, the cleaning menu appears. If you find a print quality problem, press the OK button to clean the print head.
- To check the printer's status, print a status sheet instead by selecting STATUS SHEET from the TEST PRINT menu.
- To print a network sheet to verify current settings of the network interface, select NETWORK SHEET from the TEST PRINT menu.
Printer Operation Check result
If the printer operation check is successful it will result in a printed nozzle check pattern. The type of nozzle check pattern produced depends on the printer model.
A nozzle check pattern example is below.
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- Prints OK: If a printer passes the printer operation check, this demonstrates that the internal workings of the printer are operating correctly and rules out an issue with the printer hardware.
Attempt to print again. If you are using your printer with a computer on a USB, FireWire, or Parallel connection, reconnect the printer to the computer and attempt to print again. If you are using your printer with a computer on a wired or wireless network, make sure that the printer is connected to the network before printing again.
Note:If you use the parallel interface, make sure both the printer and computer are powered the before reconnecting the parallel data cable. Connect the cable to the printer and lock the wire clips on both sides of the interface connector to secure it correctly then make sure the cable is connected to the parallel interface on the computer.
If there are no print quality problems, such as gaps or missing segments in the test lines/blocks/pattern, the print head is fine. An example is below. If any segment of the printed lines/blocks/pattern is missing, see the section titled "Prints but the nozzle check/print is missing colours or segments".
- Prints OK but cannot print from the computer: If the printer operation check was successful but you cannot print from the computer, there may be a communication issue between the computer and printer. See one of the following "Troubleshooting printer-related communication issues" articles for further advice - links to these articles are available in the Related Articles section.
- Windows Vista
- Windows 2000 or XP
- Windows 95, NT, 98 or ME
- Mac OS X 10.5
- Mac OS X 10.4
- Mac OS X 10.1 - 10.3
- Prints but the nozzle check/print is missing colours or segments: If any segment of the printed lines/blocks/pattern is missing, as shown below, this could mean a clogged ink nozzle or a misaligned print head. However, as the test pattern has printed this demonstrates that printing is possible.
If the nozzle check page does not print satisfactorily, you may need to repeat the head cleaning and print the nozzle check pattern again. For instructions, see your product's user guide or one of the following "head cleaning" articles (links are also available in the Related Articles section).
- Paper is fed but the paper is blank: If a sheet of paper is fed into the printer but a nozzle check pattern is not printed, repeat the printer operation check to eliminate any possibilty of an incorrect sequence of buttons having been pressed.
If the printer sounds like it is printing but a nozzle check is not printed then the print head may require cleaning. For instructions, see your product's user guide or one of the following "head cleaning" articles (links are also available in the Related Articles section).
Print head cleaning troubleshooting - further help
- How do I use the head cleaning utility in Windows 2000, XP, Vista or Windows 7?
- How do I use the head cleaning utility using Windows 98 or ME?
- How to use the Head Cleaning utility in Mac OS 7.6 - 9.2
- How to use the Head Cleaning utility in Mac OS X
- If there is no attempt by the printer to feed paper and print then there may be a hardware fault. Contact Epson for further advice.
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