Blank pages from an EcoTank mean the print head is not getting ink or is clogged. Epson's print head maintenance page says to clean the nozzles only when quality declines, because cleaning uses ink, and to check for clogged nozzles first so you do not clean needlessly; it adds that you may not be able to clean when any tank is low, so refill first. Run the nozzle check from the Maintenance menu: gaps in the lines mean cleaning, and if all or most of the lines are missing, Epson says to run Power Cleaning instead.
The checks in more detail
Head Cleaning steps: make sure there are no errors and the output tray is extended, load plain paper, choose Maintenance, Head Cleaning, press start, and never open the inner cover or turn the product off during the cycle. If there is no improvement after up to three cleanings, turn the product off and wait at least 12 hours before checking and cleaning again, and if quality still does not improve run a Power Cleaning, then contact Epson.
Epson notes that after a Power Cleaning you must wait at least 12 hours before running another, and that Power Cleaning consumes a lot of ink. Check that tanks are filled and the caps are closed, that the ink was not left below the lower line and that the ink levels were reset after refilling. Check the file is not blank and the paper size matches. A printer left unused for weeks can dry its nozzles, so print a color page every week or two,
and always turn it off with the power button so the head parks and caps correctly. Look at the ink tanks in daylight to see whether ink is really present, and check that the tank caps are shut, since an open cap can let the head draw air. Tap a full tank gently and watch the level for a few minutes, since a tank that looks full but does not drop while printing may have a blocked vent or a cap that is not seated.
Differential
Likely causes of “Epson printers prints blank pages”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Clogged nozzles
What separates it The pages are blank or gappy because the nozzles are clogged
How to confirm Run head cleaning, and print a nozzle check to see the result
- 2
Almost all lines missing
What separates it The nozzle check is blank because almost all of the lines are missing
How to confirm Run Power Cleaning, which is a stronger clean for a head that is badly clogged
- 3
Low ink
What separates it The printer refuses to clean because the ink is low
How to confirm Refill the tanks first, since the printer will not clean with low ink
- 4
Levels not reset
What separates it A low ink message shows because the levels were not reset after refilling
How to confirm Reset the ink levels after you have refilled, when the printer asks you
- 5
A blank file
What separates it The printout is blank because the document itself is blank
How to confirm Check the document, and see whether it has any content on it
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- A nozzle check pattern that shows which lines are missing
- The ink levels in each of the tanks
- How long the printer sat unused before you printed
- Any code that the screen shows
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedRefill low tanks
ReversibleRefill any low tanks, filling each of them to the top line, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Print a nozzle check
ReversiblePrint a nozzle check, and read the pattern, to see which lines are missing, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Run Head Cleaning
ReversibleRun Head Cleaning, up to three times, and print a nozzle check after each one.
Wait 12 hours
ReversibleWait twelve hours, if the print quality is still poor, and then try again, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Run Power Cleaning
ReversibleRun Power Cleaning if most of the lines are missing from the pattern, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Do not repeat Power Cleaning
ReversibleDo not repeat Power Cleaning for twelve hours, since it uses a lot of ink.
Contact Epson
ReversibleContact Epson if the pages stay blank, and give them the model and the code.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Ink tank models
- EcoTank printers use bottled ink; refill to the top line.
- WorkForce Pro
- WorkForce Pro models use ink packs and a different head design.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models EcoTank ET-2800, EcoTank ET-3850, EcoTank Photo ET-8550, Expression Premium XP-7100, P700, WorkForce Pro WF-4830, WorkForce Pro WF-7840.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If no improvement after three cleanings, turn off for 12 hours and retry
- !If Power Cleaning does not help, contact Epson
- !If E-11 or W-11 shows, contact Epson for the pads
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
When to clean the nozzles.
Head Cleaning, nozzle check and Power Cleaning.
Errors, Power Cleaning, Event Manager and maintenance box.
Refilling and resetting ink levels.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
When do I use Power Cleaning?+
When most nozzle lines are missing.
How many head cleanings?+
Up to three, then wait 12 hours.
Does cleaning use ink?+
Yes, cleaning uses ink, so clean only when the print quality declines.
Can I clean with low ink?+
Refill first, since the printer will not clean the head with low ink.
Should I open the inner cover during cleaning?+
No, do not open the inner cover while the printer is cleaning.
Where is the nozzle check?+
The nozzle check is in the Maintenance menu, on the printer's screen.
Should I reset ink levels?+
Reset the ink levels after refilling, when the printer prompts you.