Numbers And Words Not Printing Correct After Epson UpdateUpdated a few seconds ago
If your Epson printer started printing distorted, missing, or garbled numbers and words right after a recent firmware or driver update, you're not alone. This frustrating issue affects both personal and business users who rely on their Epson printer for sharp, accurate text printing. Fortunately, the problem is usually related to software conflicts, corrupted drivers, or improper settings—and it can be fixed.
🔍 Why Is Your Epson Printer Printing Text Incorrectly After an Update?
After an update, your printer may begin showing issues like:
Numbers or letters replaced with symbols
Missing characters in printed text
Faded or overlapping words
Only partial text printing
Words shifted or scrambled on the page
These issues typically stem from:
Corrupted printer driver
Incompatible or buggy firmware update
Incorrect paper or print quality settings
Font rendering issues from Windows or Mac OS updates
Third-party ink or outdated printer utilities
Incorrect default printer driver selected
🛠️ How to Fix Incorrect Text Printing After Epson Update
Follow these step-by-step instructions to resolve the issue:
✅ 1. Restart Printer and Computer
Begin with the basics. Power off your printer and computer completely. Wait 30 seconds and restart both.
✅ 2. Check Print Settings
Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers (Windows) or System Settings > Printers (Mac), and:
Ensure the correct printer is set as default
Click Printing Preferences and set:
Paper Type: Plain
Quality: Standard or High
Font Substitution: Disabled (if available)
✅ 3. Uninstall and Reinstall the Printer Driver
Outdated or corrupted drivers are a common cause of print errors after updates.
For Windows:
Go to Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program
Remove all Epson software
Restart the computer
Download the latest drivers from the Epson Support Website
For Mac:
Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners
Remove the Epson printer
Download and reinstall the latest driver
✅ 4. Run Nozzle Check and Head Cleaning
If words are still printing incomplete or faint, you may have a clogged printhead.
Steps:
Go to your printer’s control panel or Epson software
Choose Maintenance > Nozzle Check
If lines are missing, perform Head Cleaning
Repeat up to 3 times if needed, but don’t overdo it to avoid wasting ink.
✅ 5. Roll Back Firmware (Advanced)
If the update caused the issue, some users choose to downgrade the firmware.
⚠️ Caution: This is advanced and not recommended unless necessary.
You’ll need:
A compatible older firmware version
Firmware recovery tool
USB cable and a PC (not over Wi-Fi)
Some third-party sites provide rollback tools—use only trusted sources.
✅ 6. Try a Different App
If you're printing from Word or Excel and characters look broken, try printing from:
Notepad
PDF viewer
Test Page via Windows printer settings
This helps isolate whether the issue is software- or printer-related.
✅ 7. Use the Epson Universal Print Driver
Sometimes, model-specific drivers cause conflicts. Try Epson’s Universal Print Driver to bypass model errors.
Download from Epson’s website and select "Generic Text" or "ESC/P" printing modes.
✅ 8. Update or Reinstall Fonts
Corrupt fonts (especially after Windows updates) may cause jumbled or missing characters. Reinstall commonly used fonts like:
Arial
Times New Roman
Calibri
✅ 9. Reset Printer to Factory Settings
If none of the above works, consider resetting your printer:
Go to Settings > Restore Default Settings on the printer display.
Reconnect it and reinstall the drivers fresh.
🧠 Final Tip
If the issue persists after trying these fixes, reach out to Epson Customer Support or have your device checked at a service center. Avoid using the printer for important tasks until the issue is resolved to prevent data misprints.
❓ 15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why did my printer start printing gibberish after the update?
This usually happens due to corrupted drivers, firmware conflicts, or font issues after an update.
2. Can I uninstall a recent Epson firmware update?
Yes, but it’s advanced. Some models support firmware rollback via USB and third-party tools.
3. Why are only numbers printing incorrectly, not letters?
This may point to font corruption or encoding errors during rendering. Try reinstalling fonts or changing the printing application.
4. Does this affect both Windows and Mac?
Yes. Windows driver issues and macOS printer compatibility can both cause incorrect text output.
5. Will reinstalling drivers delete my printer settings?
Yes, it resets your custom settings, but helps eliminate conflicting configurations.
6. Should I switch to generic print drivers?
Yes, Epson Universal Print Driver or Generic Text-only drivers may solve rendering issues.
7. Do I need to use official Epson ink for accurate printing?
While not mandatory, third-party inks sometimes cause print quality issues, especially after firmware updates.
8. Can printer updates change my font rendering?
Yes, especially if the update includes a rendering engine or language pack change.
9. What if only PDF files are printing incorrectly?
Try using a different PDF reader (e.g., Adobe Acrobat vs. browser-based) or convert the PDF to image format before printing.
10. Why does my printer skip certain characters or lines?
This may indicate a clogged nozzle or a corrupted driver. Try a nozzle check and reinstall the driver.
11. How do I know which firmware version is installed?
Print a Network or Status Sheet from your printer to view current firmware and settings.
12. Can Windows updates affect Epson printing?
Yes. Microsoft updates sometimes conflict with print spoolers or drivers. Roll back updates if necessary.
13. What settings should I check in Microsoft Word?
Disable features like “Print in background,” and ensure standard fonts are used. Also try printing in draft mode.
14. Is there a risk in using third-party reset tools?
There’s always some risk. Use trusted sources and backup important data before attempting any tool-based fix.
15. Should I contact Epson if nothing works?
Yes. Epson’s support team can provide updated drivers or service instructions for your specific model.