Smudges, spots or ink marks on pages from an Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7840 come from ink that has not dried, ink that has collected on the paper path or paper that cannot take the ink, and since this printer handles wide paper, the marks may come from a larger roller or an edge. The WF-7840 uses pigment ink cartridges that dry quickly on plain paper but can smear on coated or glossy paper if you touch it too soon, so look at when and where the marks appear.
The checks in more detail
Marks on the back of the page, or repeating along the sheet, suggest ink on a roller or on the platen under the print head. Marks on the leading edge point to the paper curling and rubbing the head. Marks only on photo paper may be a paper-type or drying issue. Check the paper. Set the paper type in the driver to match what you load, as the printer adjusts the ink and the drying time. Use paper designed for inkjet pigment printing.
Damp, curled paper rubs on the head, so keep paper in a dry place and flat, and load it with the printing side as marked. With wide paper, make sure the guides fit and the sheets are not curled at the edges. Avoid stacking prints at once; let them dry. Clean the printer. Epson describes cleaning the inside, by switching it off and wiping the rollers and the paper path gently with a soft damp lint-free cloth, never touching the print head or the cable.
Run a nozzle check and a print head cleaning if the marks are streaks of ink, not smears. Print a few blank pages to clear residue from the rollers. If the marks appear as spots from drips, check that cartridges are seated firmly and not leaking, and that no ink has spilled in the printer. Remove loose ink with a lint-free cloth. If the smudges persist with clean rollers and the right paper, contact Epson with the model and serial number, since the platen or a roller may need service.
Differential
Likely causes of “Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7840 leaves smudges, spots or repeated marks”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Ink not dry on glossy or coated paper
What separates it Smears when touched
How to confirm Set the right paper type and let prints dry
- 2
Curled or damp paper
What separates it Marks on the leading edge
How to confirm Use flat, dry paper
- 3
Ink on rollers or the platen
What separates it Marks on the back or repeating
How to confirm Clean the rollers and path
- 4
A leaking or loose cartridge
What separates it Spots from drips
How to confirm Reseat the cartridges and wipe spills
- 5
Wrong paper for pigment ink
What separates it Poor drying
How to confirm Use paper made for the printer
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact symptom and when it began
- The ink or toner state
- The paper type used
- The model number
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedNote where the marks appear
ReversibleFront, back or repeating.
Set the paper type
ReversibleIn the driver.
Use flat, dry paper
ReversibleAnd let prints dry.
Clean the rollers and path
ReversiblePrinter off.
Print blank pages
ReversibleTo clear residue.
Contact Epson
ReversibleIf it persists.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Pigment ink
- It dries fast on plain paper.
- Wide paper
- Edges curl and rub.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the problem persists after these steps, contact the maker with the model and serial number
- !Do not keep running cleaning cycles
- !Keep the receipt for warranty
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why does my WF-7840 smudge?+
Wet ink, curled paper or dirty rollers.
Does paper type matter?+
Yes.
How do I clean it?+
Gently, with a damp lint-free cloth.
When is it service?+
If clean rollers do not help.