Epson 1280 Yellow Ink Nozzle Clogged

[Starbuck1975]

I have an Epson 1280 inkjet printer. To save on ink replacement, I utilize Swift Ink compatible replacement cartridges. I did a lot of research on alternatives to Epson cartridges, and numerous people recommended Swift Ink as a suitable and high quality but cost effective alternative. Like Epson's cartridges, Swift Ink utilizes a pigment based ink. As I have been using these cartridges for over a year without an issue, my assumption is that there is something wrong with the yellow printer nozzle.

I am working on a large printing project, and have been using Swift Ink cartridges to print literally hundreds of pages. I just replaced an empty color cartridge, about the 3rd I have gone through on this project.

For some reason, the yellow ink is not flowing. I have run the Epson cleaning utility with no luck. I even replaced the cartridge with another new cartridge, and continue to encounter the same problem.

My understanding is that it is not uncommon for Epson inkjet nozzles to clog. I have found plenty of postings online speaking to this problem. What I have not found yet is a viable solution for fixing the problem.

Anyone know how to resolve this clogging issue on Epson inkjet printers?

 

[Lemon law]

There are special Epson cleaning cartridges you can buy---sadly the Epson printheads are not easily user removable and cleanable like the Canon counterparts. But its my undrestanding Zepper has some experience in that latter area so I will refer you to Zepper.

Once clogs form, they can be a bitch to remove----impatience is not a virtue--it just takes time and tlc.

The other thing to note, the root cause is very unlikely to be the third party cartridges---and swift ink is a very good name with quality products. But with any Epson, frequent printing is the usual cure. Sitting idle for too long is just almost certain to result in a clog.

 

[Starbuck1975]

Digging around on various forums, I found several that recommended running the nozzle cleaning and test sequence three times in a row, with a test page to print in between cleaning attempts that is essentially a large yellow square.

Ran the test three times, and attempted to print this yellow test page, and no yellow ink is coming out at all.

After troubleshooting on Epson's website a bit, one recommendation I found was to let the printer sit overnight and try again. Will make another attempt at troubleshooting in the morning.

 

[Starbuck1975]

Ok ran a yellow test pattern this morning and still no luck. May go to Staples or Officemax later and see if they have a nozzle cleaning solution for inkjet printers.

 

[Starbuck1975]

Visited the local Fry's yesterday and spoke with the Epson representative. Based on the problems I am encountering, he essentially confirmed that this is a nozzle clogging issue.

He also stated that this is due mostly to the printer sitting idle for extended periods of time. Sounds like a design flaw to me if the nozzles can become clogged from not using the printer frequently enough.

He stated that the best way around this is to simply print something once a week to keep the ink flowing...I am not going to print something I dont need, and waste ink, because their product design is poor.

The only solution he could offer was my purchasing a new printer.

I got the Epson 1280 on sale, but it is a $300 to $400 printer...not inexpensive to say the least...and as I have only had it for 18 months, I am kind of annoyed by this little problem.

Can anyone suggest a third party solution for cleaning these types of clogs? I have found a few vendors online that offer various nozzle cleaning solutions, but I am not sure how reliable they are.

 

[munchydoan]

The 1280 is one serious POS.
I had cloggin problems ALL THE TIME, even when I printed EVERYDAY.
A couple of things I did to get rid of hard clogs:
1. Put a few drops of Windex on the cleaning pad (that foam thing on the right side that the heads park on). Then turn off the printer and let the heads soak.
2. If that didn't work, I would fill a syringe with Windex, pull out the ink cartridge, jam the syringe into the inkhead and squeeze. You'll have to slide a paper towel under the head to catch all the ink.

 

[corkyg]

You can also replace the print head - that's where the nozzles live. That used to run about $100 or so. Nowadays, it's probably cost effective to replace the printer. Epsons have a long history of clogged printheads - goes back years.

 

[Starbuck1975]

The 1280 is one serious POS.
I had cloggin problems ALL THE TIME, even when I printed EVERYDAY.
A couple of things I did to get rid of hard clogs:
1. Put a few drops of Windex on the cleaning pad (that foam thing on the right side that the heads park on). Then turn off the printer and let the heads soak.
2. If that didn't work, I would fill a syringe with Windex, pull out the ink cartridge, jam the syringe into the inkhead and squeeze. You'll have to slide a paper towel under the head to catch all the ink.

I found a couple of sites that strongly urged users not to use Windex...I also found a few sites that sell the cleaning solution that most Epson service centers use to flush out clogged nozzle heads. The kit basically comes with the solution and a syringe.

Was wondering if anyone has used this cleaning solution to success?

I called a service center over lunch, and their estimate was around $100...they actually suggested a buy another printer.

If I end up purchasing another printer, it won't be an Epson...although I am not sure Canon or HP are much better.

Damn printer ink pyramid schemes.

 

[Lemon law]

A Canon and a HP use entirely different schemes. In my case, I have two unchipped Canons that allow me to print dirt cheap and hassle free. If I get a clog, I can remove the printhead in less than a few minutes. I can use dirt cheap non-OEM prefilled cartridges or refill with ease.

With a HP, you are stuck using their propriotory cartridge---with the printhead being on the cartridge. At best you can use a prefilled third party cartridge from a commercial refiller. But you won't save much---you can refill a HP yourself but their cheap printhead won't last many refills.---and refilling a HP is not always easy.

The new chipped Canons make using non-OEM cartridges impossible unless you swap the chip and refilling is made to be an extra hassle.

Do yourself a favor---try to find a Canon MP780 for your next printer---look on ebay.---its an unchipped Canon all in one---It'll save you a bundle and be reliable.

Or if you can live without color---get a monochrome Laser.

 

[Mark R]

My understanding is that it is not uncommon for Epson inkjet nozzles to clog. I have found plenty of postings online speaking to this problem. What I have not found yet is a viable solution for fixing the problem.

Anyone know how to resolve this clogging issue on Epson inkjet printers?

Your only option is to print every day, and to make sure that you use every nozzle of every color. However, this isn't reliable, and clogs can still occur. Sometimes, you can get an 'air lock' in the head when you change cartridge, which has the same effect.

Once the heads clog, they are difficult to unclog - sometimes wiping the head with rubbing alcohol, or a glass cleaner, can help - but this doesn't always work. Sometimes the only option is to replace the print head (which also involves replacing the cartridges as well - the overall cost for this is usually high enough that it's cheaper to scrap the printer).

This is a signficant limitation of the Epson technology. The only advice I can offer is don't buy Epson.

 

[Gaorn]

yeah my sister has an epson r200 and the printhead clogged on her within like 2 months of having it. they made her ship to a repair place at her cost and they paid it back in ink cartridges. I thought it was just a fluke but after reading up i dont think i will be getting an Epson until they decide to resolve whatever their desgn flaw (intentional or unintentional) is.

 

[Starbuck1975]

Lemon Law,

Unfortunately I need color capabilities as my fiancee is a graphic designer, and she purchased the 1280 because she had experience with that printer...it was one of the office printers at her last job, and she never encountered any problems with it.

Will have to do research on a reliable color printer, suitable for graphic design, that still permits for the use of color cartridges other then those offered by the printer manufacturer.

 

[Lemon law]

Other than an Epson---you are talking a unchipped canon that uses the BCI-3&6 cartridge line. Hard to find now---easier to find models are the MP780 I mentioned---or possibly the
i6000d--------but for web sites, try googling the nifty stuff forums or steves digicams. You might also try Toms hardware guide for cost breakdowns.

Good luck---------unchipped Canons are getting hard to find.

I also doubt a color laser would fill her bill---but when she has the needs and the experience, check with her.

 

[munchydoan]

Get a Canon then. How wide are your prints? If you don't need to go bigger than 8.5x11" then get the i960. Its super quiet, MUCH FASTER, it NEVER CLOGS, and I've been using generic cartridges that match the originals at only $3 a pop. Even with Canon inks, its cheaper to run than an Epson.
For my large format prints, I use an Epson 7600 which clogs occasionally, but nowhere near as badly as the 1280. It costs me about $8 everytime I have to clean the heads though.

 

[Starbuck1975]

Other than an Epson---you are talking a unchipped canon that uses the BCI-3&6 cartridge line. Hard to find now---easier to find models are the MP780 I mentioned---or possibly the i6000d--------but for web sites, try googling the nifty stuff forums or steves digicams. You might also try Toms hardware guide for cost breakdowns

I have found several sites that sell the iP6000D for about what it would cost to repair my Epson 1280.

Is the iP6000D the same as the i6000D you recommended as an unchipped model?

 

[bruceb]

if you go with the IP600D ... see this link: http://pixma-faq.periastron.com/

A couple of very small mods with let it PRINT Directly on Printable CDS

 

[Lemon law]

Yes the i6000d is unchipped----its a six color photoprinter---it lacks a dedicated text cartridge---and adds a photo magenta and photocyan cartridge for subtle shades.

 

[Starbuck1975]

Get a Canon then. How wide are your prints? If you don't need to go bigger than 8.5x11" then get the i960. Its super quiet, MUCH FASTER, it NEVER CLOGS, and I've been using generic cartridges that match the originals at only $3 a pop. Even with Canon inks, its cheaper to run than an Epson. For my large format prints, I use an Epson 7600 which clogs occasionally, but nowhere near as badly as the 1280. It costs me about $8 everytime I have to clean the heads though.

Well, my fiancee is a graphic designer, and sometimes takes on freelancing projects that cover a wide range of requirements...she got the 1280 because of its large format capabilities, and I know on occasion she did take advantage of that feature...I am not sure how large is suitable for her needs, as her projects range from home made holiday cards to creating prints as home decor to catalogue layouts.

Yes the i6000d is unchipped----its a six color photoprinter---it lacks a dedicated text cartridge---and adds a photo magenta and photocyan cartridge for subtle shades.

Wanted to clarify, as I am able to find multiple vendors that offer the iP6000D...wanted to ensure that the added "P" does not represent a newer generation of the printer that is chipped.