15 Ways To Solve Epson Printer Not Printing? Here’s How to Fix ItUpdated 15 hours ago
An Epson printer that won’t print can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you need to print something urgently. Whether your printer isn’t responding at all, prints blank pages, or shows no error but simply refuses to print—don’t worry. This guide walks you through the most common reasons why your Epson printer isn’t printing and how to fix each one, step by step.
Common Reasons Your Epson Printer Isn’t Printing
Before jumping into troubleshooting, it’s helpful to understand the most common causes:
Empty or clogged ink cartridges
Print jobs stuck in the queue
Printer not set as default
Driver issues
Offline or connectivity problems
Software conflicts or outdated firmware
Let’s go over how to solve each of these issues.
1. Check Printer Power and Connections
Start with the basics.
Make sure the printer is turned on. Check the screen or power light to confirm.
Check all cables. If you're using a USB connection, ensure it’s firmly connected. For wireless printing, confirm your printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.
Restart your printer and your computer. This often clears up minor communication glitches.
2. Check for Error Messages
Your Epson printer’s display panel might show an error code (like 0x69, 0xE8, or similar). These codes can give you clues about what’s wrong—such as a paper jam, low ink, or internal hardware error. Refer to your printer’s manual or the Epson support site for specific error code explanations and solutions.
3. Make Sure the Epson Printer Is Set as Default
Sometimes, Windows or macOS might try to print to a different device or a virtual printer.
On Windows:
Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
Right-click on your Epson printer and select Set as default printer.
On macOS:
Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
Select your Epson printer from the list and set it as default.
4. Clear the Print Queue
A stuck print job can prevent all new jobs from going through.
On Windows:
Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
Click on your Epson printer and select Open queue.
Right-click and cancel all documents.
On macOS:
Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
Select your Epson printer and click Open Print Queue.
Cancel all pending print jobs.
5. Check Ink Cartridges and Replace If Needed
If the printer turns on but prints nothing—or prints blank pages—ink cartridges could be the issue.
Check ink levels from the printer’s control panel or via the Epson software on your computer.
Replace any empty cartridges. Even if only one cartridge is empty, it can stop the entire print job.
Try a nozzle check or head cleaning using the printer’s utility menu to fix clogs.
Note: Low-quality or third-party cartridges can sometimes cause issues. Use genuine Epson ink when possible.
6. Run Print Head Cleaning
Epson printers are especially prone to clogged nozzles, particularly if they haven’t been used in a while.
To clean the print heads:
From the printer's control panel, go to Maintenance > Head Cleaning or Nozzle Check.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
You may need to repeat the cleaning process 2–3 times for stubborn clogs.
7. Reinstall or Update Your Printer Drivers
An outdated or corrupted driver can cause printing issues.
On Windows:
Open Device Manager.
Find Printers, right-click on your Epson printer, and choose Update driver.
Or visit the Epson Support Website and download the latest driver for your model.
On macOS:
Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, remove the printer, and re-add it.
macOS may automatically download the latest driver. If not, download it from Epson’s site.
8. Restart the Print Spooler (Windows Only)
The print spooler is a Windows service that manages print jobs. If it’s frozen, your printer won’t work.
Restart it like this:
Press Windows + R, type
services.msc, and press Enter.Scroll down and right-click Print Spooler, then choose Restart.
9. Disable "Use Printer Offline" Mode
If your printer is set to offline mode, it won’t print.
On Windows:
Go to Devices and Printers in Control Panel.
Right-click on your Epson printer > See what’s printing.
Click Printer in the top menu and uncheck Use Printer Offline.
10. Use the Epson Print and Scan Diagnostic Tools
Epson provides several utilities such as Epson Print and Scan, Epson Software Updater, and Epson Event Manager. These tools can help identify issues with printer configuration, connectivity, or software compatibility.
Visit the Epson official website to download the tools compatible with your printer model and operating system.
Final Tips
Avoid printing large or unsupported files. Some PDFs or image files might be too large or contain elements the printer can't handle.
Use original Epson software for setup and maintenance.
Update your computer’s OS. Outdated Windows or macOS versions can create conflicts with printer drivers.
When to Contact Epson Support
If none of the above methods work, your printer may have a deeper hardware or firmware issue. Contact Epson Customer Support for model-specific guidance or service options. You can find support via phone, chat, or email through the official Epson support website.
Conclusion
When your Epson printer won’t print, it’s usually due to something simple—like a print queue problem, low ink, or a driver issue. By following the steps in this guide, you can identify and fix most issues yourself, without needing professional help. Just take it one step at a time, and your printer should be back in action in no time.