Epson SX215

[Dave Davison]

My three in one Epson printer suddenly refuses to scan documents to the HD, though both the Copy & Print app work ok. I have inserted the disc that came with the printer, it seemed to search for the "SCAN" data & extracted it which I installed but the problem remains. Any suggestons as to how to go about rectifying this error please? Regards Dave.

[Dave Davison]

............regret to see there have been no replies to this question, would appreciate one thanks Dave.

[HansV]

Have you tried removing the printer from the Printers and Fax Devices control panel, then reinstalling it?

[agibsonsw]

Assume you've already tried un-installing, and re-installing the printer software? Dismantling parts of the printer and jiggling bits That's me out of ideas..

Added: Actually, this sums up the whole IT Support industry

[June Bug]

If you have a back up image from before the printer problem occurred you might try restoring from that image. I recently had a software related printer problem and reinstalling the software didn't fix the problem. Luckily I had an image from the day before and a restore corrected the problem.

I realize this is not what you would normally use a restore for but in my case it worked.

If all else fails try an image restore.

[Dave Davison]

Many thanks will follow suggestions made. Regards Dave.

[Timelord]

When you say it refuses to scan. does it scan and not save? Or does it refuse to do anything? If it refuses to do anything at all it could be the lamp is out (damaged). I had that happen to one of mine several years ago. It was about the same price to buy a new 3 in 1.

[Dave Davison]

........thanks for the replies, I did what you suggested Hans in post 63983 and it solved that problem but as a further post shows, another has developed; don't know if they are related but await some answers. Regards Dave.

[HansV]

Good to hear that. Thanks for the feedback.

[Dave Davison]

The pleasure and thanks are mine, so glad to recall the day I stumbled on this forum. Has made my computing life much more interesting & summountable. Dave.

[Dave Davison]

Same printer, different problem. As will be seen from the photos below that I took with my digi camera, the printing is totally useless. Any ideas how to rectify the problem other than binning the printer (seeing it can be cheaper to buy than repair) though to to so would be a pity as it has been used very little. Thanks Dave.

[HansV]

It looks like the print head is partially clogged. This often happens if the printer is used infrequently. I'd try cleaning it - see How do I use the head cleaning utility in Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8? for detailed illustrated instructions.

[Dave Davison]

Many thanks Hans, it looked to me like a software problem rather than the print heads being clogged as the text that does print is faultless. Will feed back how I get on after reading the info at the link given. Many thanks Dave.

[HansV]

I don't think this could be caused by a software problem; it definitely looks like a hardware problem to me.

[Rudi]

Another little trick I do with my inkjet cartridges is the following:

Boil some water
Place the boiling water in a Tupperware container
Put your inkjet cartridge in a plastic bag (waterproof - no holes/tears)
Place the bagged cartridge into the hot water
Leave there for several minutes
Remove from water and bag
Place in printer
Run the nozzle clean program of the printer

The heat should soften the ink in the cartridge and the cleaning program is more easily able to get rid of the clogs

[HansV]

I tried it with my clogs and see what happened...

53.gif

[Leif]

I tried it with my clogs and see what happened...

That should be easy to rectify - simply follow Rudi's instructions in reverse:

Run the nozzle clean program of the printer
Place in printer
Remove from water and bag
Leave there for several minutes
Place the bagged cartridge into the hot water
Put your inkjet cartridge in a plastic bag (waterproof - no holes/tears)
Place the boiling water in a Tupperware container
Boil some water

If nothing else, you can make yourself a nice cuppa with the freshly boiled water.

[HansV]

Wow! They look better than ever!

53a.jpg

And a cup of tea too!

my-cup-of-tea.jpg

[Rudi]

Proof that some of the advice I post here in the lounge is useful!!
Maybe I will post more advice in future in reverse

[Dave Davison]

Hi Hans.........ref your post #113270; I ran a "Nozzle Check" and it did the trick. Obviously a seldom used printer is more prone to clogging than one in use regularly. Thanks Dave.