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

In this series of cartridges is a gloss optimizer cartridge.  This cartridge gives uniform gloss coverage for prints.

These are re-manufactured cartridges which mean the casing is an original Epson casing that’s been refilled, relabeled/sealed, and re-programmed/re-chipped.

 

Not Recognizing

 

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

 

Make sure the cartridge is installed correctly and fully inserted.  Make sure that they are installing the right color into the right slot.

 

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 into the Stylus Photo R1900 printer do the following;

 

Open the printer cover and press the ink drop button to move the carriage into the ink replacement position.

Open the cartridge cover.  Squeeze the tab on the cartridge and lift the cartridge straight up to remove it.

Insert the new cartridge into the carriage and push it down until it clicks into place.

Once you replace all the necessary cartridges, close the cartridge cover and push it down until it clicks into place.  Close the printer cover.

Press the ink drop button on the printer to begin charging the ink.

 

 

Print Quality Issues

 

There’s a clear piece of plastic covering the nozzle at the bottom of the cartridge.  Do NOT remove this clear piece of plastic, the printer will puncture this during the charging cycle.

 

There’s a yellow piece of tape that must be removed prior to installation.  This opens a vent hole and it is important that it is fully removed.

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.  On some Epson printers you will have the ability to select whether the cleaning will be done on the black or the colors depending on which cartridge is giving the issue to help conserve ink.  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.  To perform the cleaning;

–          In Windows, right click the printer icon located in the taskbar in the bottom right corner of their computer screen and select Auto Head Cleaning.

–          Click Start and follow the on-screen instructions to allow the printer to print and examine the nozzle check pattern,  If necessary, the printer cleans the print head, and may print and check the nozzle pattern a few times.

–          If the problem isn’t resolved after the automatic cleaning then the printer will ask for you to perform manual cleaning.  To do this, press and hold down the ink drop button on the printer for 3 seconds.  The cleaning lasts around 2 minutes.

 

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 are installing the correct cartridge into the correct slot.  Double check the cartridge number on the cartridge to verify it is indeed the correct cartridge and not a light cyan going into the cyan slot for example.