Oh no, my Epson R220 spits out blank paper.

[Gerlinde]

It looks like I killed my R220 printer.
I got finally around to tryout Bob's template (see thread here). Of course, I had to try first to print out of PSE without using Bob's template by the try-and-error method. The printing was always off a little and my fingers turned an ugly shade of black after awhile. Until I finally got to the point to use the template, the disc came out as white as it went in.
At first I thought I'm making some kind of mistake in the printer setup, but as it turns out, no matter what I try to print, paper goes in white and comes out white, although the printer sounds like it is printing.
Yes, the ink tanks are all full and I tried head cleaning and head alignment, nothing makes a difference.
Does this sound, like the printhead is clogged and should I try something like THAT.
Chuck, you seem to be the expert on the topic of R220 repair, you have any suggestions for me on what to try to get it working again?
I'm devastated, I really love that printer and I just bought a big batch of replacement ink.

[TreeTopsRanch]

Did you install the replacement ink cartridges? Were they Epson cartridges or 3rd party cartridges?

[Gerlinde]

Yes, I installed several of the replacement cartridges and they are 3rd party. Only one Epson original ink is in there at the moment.
This are the ones I use.

[Chuck Engels]

Replacement cartridges are generally fine these days, not like they used to be a few years ago.
Have you run the Clean Heads utility? If so, how many times?
I just went through this myself not long ago, ended up buying a used R320 on eBay.

[Gerlinde]

Yes I did run the head cleaning utility about 3-4 times with no change. Chuck, I know you posted about your R220. Did yours just stopped printing the same way?

[Paul LS]

The R220 has waste ink pads at the bottom of the printer... so basically when the printer cleans the heads it pumps the waste ink into the bottom of the printer. It only allows this so many times before it assumes the pads are full and will stop printing, however it should give a message. Have you seen any message? Have you used the printer alot?

As an aside I modified mine to pump the ink into a bottle... I then have software to resest the counters so I dont have to worry about the pads filling up.

[Gerlinde]

Paul, I did not get any messages from the printer, except a warning that the cartridges installed are not originals after I put them in. It printed fine after that and the ink level indicator seems to work too.
But your remark concerning the waste ink pads gives me something to think. I notice that the left hand site pads were soaked after my failed attempts to print with the cd/dvd tray inserted.
I mobbed up the mess with paper tissue, but that might be why it is not printing anything now. I have not done many cleaning cycles during the printers lifetime, since it always worked flawless. And I'm not using it that often.

[Chuck Engels]

Mine didn't quit printing completely, just the black quit printing first.
After many attempts to fix the problem it stopped printing completely.
My best guess is that the print head was bad. The R320 has been working great and I purchased refillable cartridges that are also working fine. I paid about $45 including shipping, had to watch and wait for a good one that had a clean nozzle check printout. Some of them are selling for over $100, you don't have to pay that much if you can take your time and wait for one that is reasonably priced. Still, I hope you can get your working again

[Gerlinde]

Thank you Chuck. So far, I had no luck to resurrect it. I guess I will invest the $15 and order the Epson Stylus Head Cleaning Solution and see if that helps.
I have also a Stylus R1800 which I hardly use. I could get through a waiting period.

[Chuck Engels]

I also tried the cleaning solution, be sure you follow the instructions carefully

[John 'twosheds' McDonald]

For head cleaning and cleaning up spilled ink I use a cheap window/mirror cleaner (for UK Muvipix users it is available in the UK as Wizz Glass and Mirror Spray and Wipe; costs UK£1 for 750ml and can be found in poundshops).

You might be able to find a similar product in the US. The "magic ingredient" to look for is the "Less than 5% Non-ionic surfactant and ether glycol".

To clean the printhead just leave it standing in it in a shallow dish for a day or so, changing the liquid as often as necessary. For ink spills just spray and wipe with a paper towel.

This might also help:- http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/arti ... aning.html

[Gerlinde]

Thank you John. I will go on the hunt for a cleaner. I looked at the label of my window cleaner, but it is almost impossible to read and does not have the ingredients listed.

To clean the printhead just leave it standing in it in a shallow dish for a day or so, changing the liquid as often as necessary.

How do you do that? Can you take the printhead out of the printer?

Chuck, do you still have the instructions?

I also tried the cleaning solution, be sure you follow the instructions carefully

I'm very grateful for all the helpful suggestions, thank you all so much for trying to help.

[Chuck Engels]

The instructions will come with the cleaner. I removed the printhead from my R220, it isn't easy but it is possible.
http://www.inkproducts.com/epson-r200-R ... emoval.htm

[Gerlinde]

Thank you Chuck, I like to take stuff apart.

[John 'twosheds' McDonald]

The method used in the link:-

http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/arti ... aning.html

...provides a way of cleaning the printhead without removing it. On my Canon 9000 Pro it is easily removable. The link also details "how to" step by step instructions for cleaning a clogged printer.