INK TANK – These don’t have a print head attached so DO NOT perform the paper towel method.

The T036 Black is pigment based ink.  The T037 color cartridge is dye based ink and contains 3 colors; cyan, magenta, and yellow.

 

Not Recognizing

 

Verify you have the correct cartridge for your specific model printer.

 

Make sure the cartridge is installed correctly and fully inserted.

 

There is a smart chip on the cartridge located on the end that is installed into the printer.  Check to see if there is any dirt or damage on the gold contact points.  It’s normal for the Epson name on the chip to be crossed out with permanent marker.  You can use a dry Q-tip to gently wipe the chip contacts.  Do not touch the chip with your fingers, as finger print oil can cause false readings.

 

You can try resetting the machine.  To do this; remove the cartridges from the printer, power the printer off, unplug the power cord for 10-15 seconds, re-insert the power cord, turn the printer on, and re-insert the cartridges.

 

To install the cartridges in the Epson Stylus C42UX printer, do the following;

–          Make sure the printer is turned on and not printing (the green power light should be on, but not flashing).  Open the printer cover.

–          Press the maintenance button for 10 seconds.  The printhead moves to the cartridge replacement position.

 

–          Pull up the ink cartridge clamp on the cartridge being replaced and remove the cartridge.  Black is on the left and color is on the right.

 

–          Make sure you have the correct cartridge for the cartridge you are replacing.  Insert the new cartridge and press down firmly on the clamp.  Make sure the clamp is closed completely.

 

–          Close the front cover and press the maintenance button.  Wait unti lthe ink charging is finished.  (The green power light stops flashing and the red error light goes out.)  Ink charging takes about 30 seconds.

 

Print Quality Issues

 

There’s clear pieces of plastic covering the nozzles at the bottom of the cartridges.  Do NOT remove these clear pieces of plastic, the printer will puncture these during the charging cycle.  You will need to remove a yellow piece of tape on the top of the cartridge.  This opens a vent hole and it is important that this is removed prior to installation.

 

Try shaking the cartridge or gently tapping it on a hard surface.  Take caution if the cartridge has already been open as ink may leak out of the punctured nozzle and vent hole.  A paper towel can be used to cover these two holes before attempting to shake or tap to prevent ink leakage.

 

A print head cleaning should be performed when experiencing any type of print quality issue.  To run a print head cleaning do the following;

–          Press and hold down the maintenance button on the printer’s control panel for 3 seconds.

 

Print head cleaning does use a lot of ink so it should be done sparingly.  Epson recommends that if the first cleaning doesn’t resolve the issue to perform a second clean but allow the printer to sit for 10-15 minutes BEFORE attempting to do any printing.  This allows the ink to soak on the print head and help soften or loosen any dried ink which may be clogging the nozzles.

 

Also, remove the cartridge and check the bottom to make sure the nozzle has been punctured.  While the cartridge is out check the slot in the printer to make sure there is no debris that may be blocking the ink from coming out correctly.

 

Not Fitting

 

Verify you have the correct cartridge for your specific printer model.  Make sure the correct color is being installed into the correct slot.  Check inside the printer for any obstructions.  Check the cartridge itself for physical damage.