The printer only prints out clear paper, what to do .....so that it can actually print with ink on it

Well, it would be good to know why the photos are not good quality... like blurry or bad color or? Are you using a good paper? I have great luck with Canon glossy, and love the matte paper from Staples. Matte is actually easier and all around better color saturation, I find. I guess that you are using too much saturation of ink... see if your dialog box for printer options has a way to make saturation less intense. Also, I assume you are using the same dialog box to choose the type of paper. That is important, since different papers absorb ink at different speeds and amounts. I hope that helps... keep trying!

Inkjet printers need to be used frequently to prevent ink drying out and blocking the print head nozzles.
If the print head cleaning maintenance routine does not clear the blockages, then print head needs replacing, but it may be expensive.
It may be more cost effective to buy a later model and better printer than replace the print head.

Hello and Welcome to FixYa!
Sir, In Epson Printers if print head is struck and it don't move then it may be because of several reasons.Mostly problem of print head struck is because of Paper Jam, actually their may be small bit paper jam in side the printer head,There are some "micro-sensors" that detect a paper jam. There will be tiny piece of paper, or a lump of dust, inside those sensors, thus "tripping" the sensor and it struck the Print Head.Open printer cover and check to make sure no paper or foreign objects obstructing the printer feederIf you become sure that now really there is no paper, dust or foreign objects then
Turn the printer off, and disconnect the AC power-cable. Open the printer cover & now give the printer a "blow-job" by compressed air.It will clear the printer jam and it may allow you to move print head.
If problem still exist then it may be due to dirty or clogged print head which hinder a regular flow of ink from the ink cartridge to paper. The first step is actually knowing where the print head is and what it does. As you print a document, ink droplets leave the ink cartridge through the cartridge nozzle and go to the print head. The print head then lays the ink on a precise point on the paper. As you print, tiny droplets of ink can get stuck around the print head opening. If these drops get time to dry, they can form a crust around the print head and print head struck because of it. This problem can be solved if you clean the print head with software, There are a few ways to go about cleaning the print head. Potentially, the easiest way is to let your printer clean itself. Many inkjet printers will have maintenance options in the printers software that will actually clean your printer for you. You can use them to clean it, After cleaning it may allow you to move the print head.If the built-in cleaning functions don't seem to do the job then There are a few ways to clean your print head manually. Its technical because you need to open the Printer, First remove the ink cartridge from the print head and take the print head out of your printer and then dip a cotton swab in hot water or isopropyl alcohol and rub it against the print head. This should loosen any crusted ink. Put some isopropyl alcohol or hot water into a saucer and set the printer head in the saucer. Let it soak for at least an hour. If it's really dirty, it might be a good idea to let it soak overnight. Let it air dry, reinstall it in your computer, and run a cleaning cycle,This should get rid of any dried ink that was loosened during the soaking. Be careful, especially if you use isopropyl alcohol to clean your print heads, Some printers use rubber gaskets; if you get isopropyl alcohol on the gaskets, it could dry them out.This process surely helps you but its highly technical so i recommend if your product is in warranty or out of warranty.If your product is in warranty, Simply contact to Epson Service Center or from where you purchased it and claim the warranty. Your problem will be solvedI hope this solution helps you and you have clear picture in your mind
Let me know if you have any confusion in your mind.

Sir/Ma'am, Your Rating as Five Stars for this solution and Words of appreciation as Feedback for me will be really esteemed
Thank You for taking my service

Concerned: Muhammad Uzair Team : FixYa

Try using the photo paper option instead of the plain paper option.

I was using plain paper but, selecting the plain paper option...I could barely read the print. The photo paper option worked great!

Hope it helps!

This section explains the way to confirm the ink status and the procedure to replace ink tanks. When ink runs out or other errors occur, an error message is displayed on the LCD to inform you of the error. See "An Error Message Is Displayed on the LCD".
When printing from your computer, error messages appear on your computer screen as well.

NOTE

Be sure to install the ink tanks in the correct order indicated by the label on the Print Head Holder.
The machine will not print if an ink tank is installed in the incorrect position.

• With the LCD of this Machine
• With the Ink Lamps
• Getting the Clear Ink Status Information

With the LCD of this MachineMake sure that the machine is turned on, then press the COPY, FAX, SCAN, or MEMORY CARD button. The current ink level will be displayed on the LCD for a few seconds.

(A) Confirm whether any symbols are displayed here.

Color or black ink is low. You can continue printing for a while, but we recommend you to have a new ink tank available.Color or black ink may have run out. See"An Error Message Is Displayed on the LCD".
REFERENCE

The ink status information is also displayed on the screen that appears during printing.
An error message may be displayed on the LCD during printing.

Machine detected ink out condition. See "An Error Message Is Displayed on the LCD" and take appropriate action.
(B) Empty ink tank.With the Ink LampsYou can confirm the status of each ink tank by the ink lamps. Open the Scanning Unit (Printer Cover) of the machine to confirm how the ink lamps light or flash.

• Ink lamp is on

The ink tank is correctly set and there is enough ink remaining to print.

• Ink lamp is flashing

Flashing slowly (at around 3-second intervals)


Ink is low. You can continue printing for a while, but we recommend you to have a new ink tank available.
Flashing quickly (at around 1-second intervals)


The ink tank is inserted in the wrong position or it is empty. Ensure that the ink tank is in the correct position as directed by the label on the Print Head Holder. If the position is correct and its lamp flashes, it is empty. Replace it with a new one.

• Ink lamp is off

The ink tank is not set properly or the function for detecting the remaining ink level is disabled.

If the ink tank is not set properly, press the mark on the ink tank until the tank clicks into place. If it does not click into place, make sure that the orange protective cap has been removed from the bottom of the ink tank.
If the function for detecting the remaining ink level is disabled, replace the ink tank with anew one. See "Replacing Ink Tanks".
If the lamps are still off after reinserting the ink tanks, there has been an error and the
machine cannot print. Check the error message displayed on the LCD. See "An Error
Message Is Displayed on the LCD".
Getting the Clear Ink Status InformationClear ink is used only when printing on plain paper.
When Plain paper (Cassette) is selected for Media type and printing begins when clear ink (PGI-9Clear) is low, a message will be displayed in the LCD.

(A) Confirm whether a symbol is displayed here.

The clear ink is low. You can continue printing for a while, but we recommend you to have a new ink tank available.The clear ink tank is empty. See ""The clear ink tank is empty. Replacing the ink tank is recommended." U045" and take appropriate action.
NOTE

• The ink status information is also displayed on the screen that appears during printing.
• Clear ink is used only when printing on plain paper. Therefore, it is possible to print on photo paper, or any type of paper other than plain paper, loaded in the Rear Tray, even if clear ink has run out.

The following error message will be displayed on the LCD when the clear ink has run out during printing on plain paper.

Refer to "Replacing Ink Tanks"If you continue printing under the clear ink out condition, see ""The clear Ink has run out. Replace the ink tank." U165/U166" and take appropriate action.When the clear ink hasrun out, printing on plain paper from the Cassette is not possible. The fax, which is received under the clear ink out condition, will be stored in memory.
NOTE

It is possible to print on photo paper, or any media type other than plain paper, loaded in the Rear Tray, even if clear ink has run out.

Try first to define what model is your printer. Then try to visit there website and find the support link, im sure they can provide a document on how to fix a certain problem, just like to my epson t13. i just visit there website and follow the guidelines in fixing a certain printer problem.

Yeah, me too. I fiddled with cycling the power, removing and reinserting the tank, doing maintenance tasks like cleaning the jets, yadda, yadda, no dice. New full Canon tank displays empty. Boo.

I figured "What the heck, I'll try printing anyway" and sent a test page on plain paper. It warned me the tank was empty, then did a bunch of those cartridge moves it likes to do (you hear the carriage moving around cleaning or something). After like 90? seconds of cleaning noises, it figured out that the tank was full, the status went to full, and it printed the page fine.

So my advice is, try printing a page anyway.

check to see if the cartridges are in all of the way. because it may not have punctured the ink seal...

LSU means "Laser Scanner Unit". That is the part that actually "prints" the image on the drum before it goes to the paper. If the toner (not ink) cartridge is in good condition, then you need an Authorized Service Center to replace the LSU assembly.