Smudges and spots on an Epson usually come from the paper path, wet ink or the wrong paper setting. Epson's banding article says that when vertical banding appears or the paper is smeared, clean the paper path, and to check the paper type setting matches the loaded paper and that the printable side is loaded correctly. Use paper the printer supports, keep it flat and dry, and let prints dry before stacking, especially on photo paper. Check the ink tanks: over-filling or a loose cap can spill, so wipe any ink from the tank area and make sure the caps are closed fully.
If ink leaked because the printer was tilted or turned over, stop and contact Epson, as Epson's jam guidance warns against tilting. Clean the scanner glass for spots on copies.
The checks in more detail
If marks appear at the same place on every page, note the location; a marked roller or a spill in the paper path is the usual cause. Run a nozzle check, since a partly clogged nozzle can spatter. If borderless prints leave ink on the platen, status codes E-12 and W-14 relate to the borderless ink pad and mean contacting Epson. Avoid Maximum Printable Area if margins smear. Keep the printer level and in a clean, dust-free spot.
Keep the printer in a clean, dust-free place, and after any spill or leak wipe the tank area with a soft dry cloth and check the caps before printing again. Check the output tray for ink that transferred from earlier pages, and wipe it clean before the next test page. Wipe the platen and roller area only with the printer off and cool, and never with wet cloths near the ink tanks.
Differential
Likely causes of “Epson printers leaves smudges, spots or repeated marks”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A dirty paper path
What separates it There are smears on the page because the paper path is dirty
How to confirm Clean the paper path, following the steps in the printer's manual
- 2
Wrong paper setting
What separates it The ink looks wet or smeared because the paper setting is wrong
How to confirm Match the paper type setting to the paper that you loaded
- 3
A loose tank cap or spill
What separates it There are spots on the page because a tank cap is loose or ink was spilled
How to confirm Wipe up any spilled ink, and close the tank caps firmly
- 4
A borderless ink pad issue
What separates it The screen shows E-12 or W-14 because of a borderless ink pad issue
How to confirm Contact Epson, since the ink pads need to be replaced by a service provider
- 5
Tilting the printer
What separates it Ink leaks because the printer was tilted while it was being moved
How to confirm Keep the printer level at all times, and do not tilt it
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Where on the page the marks appear
- The type of paper that you are using
- Whether any spilled ink is visible on or around the printer
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedClean the paper path
ReversibleClean the paper path if the page is smeared, using the printer's cleaning routine, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Match the paper type
ReversibleMatch the paper type and the printable side, so that the printer uses the right ink.
Check the tank caps
ReversibleCheck the tank caps, and close each of them firmly, to stop ink escaping, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Let prints dry
ReversibleLet prints dry before you stack them, since fresh ink can smear onto the next page.
Run a nozzle check
ReversibleRun a nozzle check, to look for spatter from a nozzle that is partly clogged.
Check for codes
ReversibleCheck for codes on the screen, such as E-12 or W-14, which name the pad issues.
Contact Epson
ReversibleContact Epson if it persists, and give them the model and any code that shows.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Borderless
- Borderless printing uses its own ink pad that can reach end of life.
- Photo
- Photo models need dry, flat photo paper.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models EcoTank ET-2800, EcoTank ET-2850, EcoTank ET-3850, EcoTank Photo ET-8550, Expression Premium XP-7100, P700, WorkForce Pro WF-4830.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If E-12 or W-14 shows, contact Epson, since the pads need replacing
- !If smears persist after path cleaning, contact Epson
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Banding fixes.
Clearing a jam on the ET-2800.
E, W and I codes, ink pads and Recovery Mode.
When to clean the nozzles.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I fix smears?+
Clean the paper path and match the paper type.
Can I tilt the printer?+
No, do not tilt the printer, since ink can leak inside it.
Can a loose cap cause spots?+
Yes, a loose cap can cause spots, so close each one firmly.
What are E-12 and W-14?+
E-12 and W-14 are borderless ink pad codes, which need an Epson service provider.
Can a nozzle cause spatter?+
A partly clogged nozzle can cause spatter, so run a nozzle check.