How To Fix Epson Printer Not Printing Black Issue? (Full Guide)

Let's start our troubleshooting guide on 'How to fix the Epson Printer Not Printing black'. This guide discusses common causes of Epson printers not printing black and provides solutions to resolve the issue effectively. From basic to detail, we've got your back with all the answers so you can print again smoothly.

Epson printers are best for printing due to their high-quality output, reliable performance, and cost-effective EcoTank ink tank system, especially for high-volume printing. However, they can experience various printing problems, too.

Some of the most common causes of printers not printing black include low or empty ink cartridges, misaligned printheads, paper jams, poor print quality, clogged printheads, dried ink, dust, or incorrect printer settings. These problems can prevent ink from flowing smoothly onto the paper.

Solution 1: Essential Initial Checks

First, try performing the basic settings with the help of the following steps:

Step 1 - First, turn off your printer and unplug the power cord from the printer.

Step 2 - Now, turn off the computer.

Step 3 - Let's wait for 30 seconds and turn on the computer.

Step 4 - After that, plug the power cord back into the printer and turn it on.

Step 5 - Next, you need to print a nozzle check. To print, navigate to Maintenance on your printer's menu and press OK.

Step 6 - Choose nozzle check and press OK.

Step 7 - Also, press the print button, then OK, and the Print button again to print the nozzle check.

Step 8 - Examine the nozzle, check the pattern, and look for any missing lines.

Step 9 - Print another test page and check the pattern to see if any missing lines appear.

Step 10 - Once you have done the steps, move on to the next solution if the Epson printer not printing black problem persists.

Solution 2: Check Ink Cartridges

After performing the basic settings, check the ink cartridge with the steps given below:

Step 1 - Turn off the printer and open the cover.

Step 2 - Place a paper towel underneath and move the printhead to the side.

Step 3 - Now, bring the printhead to the center and remove the cover of the ink cartridge.

Step 4 - Remove the makeshift cartridges and look out for any blockage.

Step 5 - Get a syringe with a solution to remove the blockage, attach it to the nozzle, and gently push the solution.

Step 6 - Replace the paper towel as required during the process.

Step 7 - Place the makeshift cartridges back into their original position.

Step 8 - Snap the white cover back into its place and make sure that everything is completely dry.

Step 9 - If you notice that the ink is low, refill them.

Step 10 - Restart the printer and see if the issue is fixed.

Solution 3: Perform Power Cleaning

At the final step, try performing power cleaning with the help of the steps given below:

Step 1 - Go into Maintenance and then select Power Cleaning using the arrow button.

Step 2 - Press OK and OK again to proceed.

Step 3 - Agree to the rest of the instructions by pressing OK.

Step 4 - Once done, the printer will request you to press Start for 5 seconds; follow the instructions by pressing on it.

Step 5 - When the power cleaning process is complete, press OK.

Step 6 - Now, using the arrow button, select Nozzle Check and press OK.

Step 7 - When the nozzle check prints, you can confirm the improvements by checking the pattern.

Step 8 - You can print the nozzle check for a second and third time to confirm that the issue has been resolved.

Additional Troubleshooting Tips

If your printer isn't printing in black, you can consider the following troubleshooting steps:

• If the black ink cartridge is empty or low, replace it with a new one.
• Make sure the black ink cartridge is correctly seated in the printer.
• Check and unblock the cartridge vents.
• Run the printer troubleshooter (search for "Printer" in your search bar and select "find and fix problems with printing").
• Run a printhead alignment tool (usually found in the printer's software or control panel).
• Make sure you're using the correct paper type for the type of printing you're performing.
• Make sure there are no paper jams in the printer.
• It could be an issue with the rollers or transfer belts if you see black lines or smudges.
• If all else fails, try a hard reset of the printer (consult your printer's manual for instructions).
• Make sure you've installed the correct printer driver and that the settings are configured correctly.