Epson Printer Won't Print Again: Troubleshooting and Solutions
Last updated
Last updated
There are few things more frustrating than sitting down to print an important document, only to find that your Epson printer won’t print. Whether it's an urgent project or just everyday tasks, a printer that refuses to work can halt productivity in its tracks. Epson printers are generally reliable, but like any machine, they can run into issues from time to time. If you're facing the dreaded "Epson printer won't print" problem, don't worry. This guide will walk you through several troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the issue and get your printer back up and running.
Before diving into complex troubleshooting, it's always a good idea to check the basics. Sometimes the issue can be something as simple as an unplugged cable or a paused print job.
Check Printer Power and Connections
Ensure the printer is powered on: It sounds obvious, but sometimes printers are inadvertently turned off or have a loose power cable. Double-check the power button and ensure the printer is plugged into a working power outlet.
Verify the connection: If you’re using a USB connection, ensure the cable is securely connected to both the printer and the computer. For wireless printers, ensure that both the printer and your computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. You may want to restart both devices to re-establish the connection.
Paper Tray and Ink: Make sure that the printer’s paper tray is not empty or misaligned, and that the ink or toner cartridges are properly installed and have enough ink. Even low ink levels can sometimes prevent the printer from functioning.
Check the Printer's Display or Status Lights
Many Epson printers have a display screen or status lights that will indicate problems. Look for any error messages or flashing lights, as they often point to specific issues like paper jams or low ink. Consult your printer’s manual or the Epson support website for guidance on what each light or message means.
Sometimes, a simple restart can fix a printer issue. This allows both the printer and the computer to reset any minor software glitches or communication errors.
Turn off the printer: Power off the printer and wait for about 30 seconds before turning it back on. This can help clear out any temporary errors that may be preventing it from printing.
Restart the computer: Shut down and restart your computer as well. This can help resolve any issues related to software or communication between your computer and the printer.
Check if the printer starts working: After restarting both devices, try to print again. This basic step often solves a variety of printer problems.
If your Epson printer is still not printing, the issue could be related to print jobs stuck in the queue or incorrect printer settings.
Clear the Print Queue
The print queue is where your computer stores print jobs before sending them to the printer. Sometimes, a stuck print job can prevent any other tasks from printing. Follow these steps to clear the print queue:
Open the print queue: On Windows, go to “Control Panel,” then “Devices and Printers,” and right-click on your Epson printer icon. Select “See what’s printing.”
Cancel the print job: If there are any print jobs in the queue, select them and cancel them. This will ensure that no stuck jobs are blocking the printer from accepting new ones.
Restart the printing process: After clearing the print queue, try printing your document again to see if the issue is resolved.
Set the Epson Printer as Default Printer
Another common issue is that your computer might be sending the print job to a different printer. Check if your Epson printer is set as the default printer:
On Windows, go to “Control Panel,” then “Devices and Printers.” Right-click on your Epson printer icon and select “Set as Default Printer.”
On macOS, go to “System Preferences,” then “Printers & Scanners.” Select your Epson printer and click “Set as Default Printer.”
If there’s no issue with the physical setup of the printer, you should check its status on your computer to make sure it’s not offline or in a paused state.
For Windows Users:
Open Devices and Printers: Go to the “Start Menu,” type “Devices and Printers,” and select it from the search results.
Right-click on your Epson printer: Select “See what’s printing.” Check if the printer is marked as “Offline” or “Paused.” If it is, uncheck the “Use Printer Offline” option in the “Printer” menu. You may also want to select “Resume” if the printer is paused.
For macOS Users:
Open System Preferences: Go to the Apple menu and choose “System Preferences,” then click on “Printers & Scanners.”
Check printer status: Ensure that your Epson printer is set to “Ready” or “Idle.” If it’s listed as “Offline,” right-click on it and select “Reset Printing System.” After resetting, re-add the printer and try printing again.
Outdated or corrupt printer drivers can cause printing issues. Ensure that you have the latest drivers installed for your Epson printer.
How to Update Printer Drivers:
Visit the Epson Support Website: Go to the official Epson website and navigate to the “Support” section. Enter your printer model and download the latest driver software available for your operating system.
Install the Latest Drivers: Run the downloaded driver file and follow the on-screen instructions to update your printer’s drivers.
Restart the Computer and Printer: After installing the latest drivers, restart both your computer and the printer to complete the update.
If updating the drivers doesn’t work, consider uninstalling and reinstalling the printer drivers:
Uninstall the printer drivers: On Windows, go to “Control Panel,” then “Devices and Printers,” right-click on your Epson printer, and select “Remove Device.” On macOS, go to “System Preferences,” then “Printers & Scanners,” select your Epson printer, and click the minus (-) button to remove it.
Reinstall the printer drivers: Once uninstalled, go back to the Epson website, download the latest drivers, and reinstall them following the steps above.
If your Epson printer is not printing, it could be due to a paper jam or obstruction inside the printer. Even a small piece of paper stuck in the printer can prevent it from functioning properly.
How to Check for Paper Jams:
Open the printer’s paper tray: Carefully open the paper tray and inspect the area for any jammed paper. Gently remove any stuck paper, ensuring not to tear it.
Check the printer’s path: Open the printer cover and check the print path for any paper stuck inside. Remove any paper you find and carefully close the cover.
Clear any debris: Sometimes small pieces of paper or other debris can get stuck inside the printer. Use a flashlight to look inside the printer, and remove any obstructions.
Once the paper jam is cleared, reset the printer and try printing again.
If none of the above steps resolve the issue, performing a factory reset on your Epson printer might help. A factory reset can clear any software or hardware glitches that are causing the printer to malfunction.
How to Perform a Factory Reset:
Access the reset function: For most Epson printers, the reset option is located in the printer’s control panel menu. Refer to your printer's manual for specific instructions on how to initiate the reset.
Follow on-screen instructions: The reset process may take a few minutes. After resetting, the printer will return to its original factory settings.
Reconfigure the printer: After the reset, you will need to set up the printer again, including configuring the connection (USB or wireless), installing the printer drivers, and adjusting any settings.
If your Epson printer still won’t print after trying all of the troubleshooting steps above, it might be time to contact Epson customer support for further assistance. They can guide you through more advanced troubleshooting steps or help determine if there’s a hardware issue that needs repair.
It’s certainly frustrating when your Epson printer won’t print, but most issues can be resolved with a bit of patience and careful troubleshooting. By following the steps outlined in this article—checking the basics, clearing the print queue, updating drivers, and checking for paper jams—you should be able to get your printer working again in no time. If the problem persists, don't hesitate to reach out to Epson’s support team for professional assistance.