Despite print head and nozzle cleaning, and a new epson color cartridge my Epson Stylus color 880 wont print in color. I've ran the software utility for head and nozzle cleaning as well as using the procedure as outlined on the printer lid: any ideas?

Did nozzle check show cyan and magenta lines?

sounds like a bad ink carriage.

The print head nozzles may be clogged. From the Utility section found in the EPSON printer driver, clean the print heads by performing a head cleaning followed by printing a nozzle check pattern. A head cleaning and nozzle check must be performed as a cycle. After printing a nozzle check, examine the printed dot pattern. Each staggered horizontal and straight vertical line should be complete, with no gaps in the dot pattern. If there are gaps in the dot pattern, continue with another cycle. Perform up to 3 cycles if necessary. If the nozzle check is not printing completely, and if the head cleanings do not help the nozzle check pattern to print completely, try replacing the ink cartridge. Any ink cartridge installed into the printer must have a blue label on top of it. If the blue label has been removed from the ink cartridge, do not install the cartridge. Using an ink cartridge, which does not have the blue label on it, may damage the printer. Caution: If you have already installed a cartridge which is missing the blue label, or if a previously installed ink cartridge was missing its blue label at the time it was installed, and now head cleanings do not help the nozzle check pattern to print completely, your printer may require service and you should contact the EPSON Connection for further assistance.

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Thanks, Joe



I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/joe_8b8c2cd6ce148309

Turn off printer. Open Case. Move head carriage to parking position. Do suction from outlet pipe of head cleaning mechanic. It's for checking head. is there ink out? If printer not used for long time, may be ink inside head dried. Utility screen just show estimated not actually. If head clog, and do head cleaning more 5 times, screen show ink nearly out, but actually ink tank nearly full.

The problem could be because of clogging of print head nozzle. It can be due to using non-epson ink Cartridges or even due to aging equipment.

You can try getting a print head cleaning solution and clean it, but you must do it with great care because the nozzles are very delicate.
You can buy one here http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/kits/epson

I would not recommend this, but if you're desperate you can get a cotton swab like ear bud, dip it in distilled water, and clean the gold contacts. Don't forget to switch the power off before doing this and wait for 4 hours, so that it dries.

You are a ******* and I WILL NEVER BUY A PIECE OF **** EPSON AGAIN...THESE PRINTERS ****

This is a very late response to your query, but you did have it in the C46 section. It sounds like you have blocked heads but there could be other reasons such as a faulty print head or main board. If you still require help with this problem, please post a new comment to this effect.

this sounds like ur both cartridges are empty...

remove the cartridge close the printer, then again turn on printer and put the cartridge back effectively..

I have a 440 and have had the same problem. Of course, I have been using cartridges from Printpal, Inkgrabber, etc. that are not official Epson. I have found that it takes several cleanings and after the cartridge has been in the position for the ink to go down it will start. My last order from Printpal said to set all the cartridges in the position they are in when installed in the printer for several days prior to installation. Of course, every cleaning of the print head uses up more of your ink. You don't have much choice though.