Epson Stylus CX5900 User Manual

							Maintenance19
English
Maintenance
You can keep the operation of the product at its best 
by performing the procedures described in this 
chapter. Also, this section includes instructions on 
how to replace ink cartridges and transport the 
product.
Replacing Ink Cartridges
When an ink cartridge is low, the icon shown below 
is displayed in the upper-left corner of the LCD 
screen.
When printing or copying, a bar showing which ink 
cartridge is low is displayed next to the Ink Low icon.
When an ink cartridge is expended, the following 
LCD screen is displayed.
Tip:
If a cartridge is more than six months old, print quality may decline. 
If necessary, try cleaning the print head (&“Checking the print 
head” on page 22). If printouts still do not look their best, you may 
need to replace the cartridge.
Checking the ink cartridge status
Follow these steps to check your ink cartridge status.
1. Press the F [Setup/Utilities] button.2. Use the l or r button to select Check Ink 
Levels.
3. Press the x Start button. 
You see a graphic showing the ink cartridge 
status.
4. When you are done checking the ink cartridge 
status, press the x Start button.
5. Press the F [Setup/Utilities] button to return to 
the previous mode.
When your ink starts getting low, make sure you 
have replacement cartridges available. You cannot 
print if a cartridge is expended.
Note:
Epson cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-genuine 
ink. If non-genuine ink cartridges are installed, the ink status will 
not be displayed.
Purchasing ink cartridges
Use the Epson ink cartridges within six months of 
installing them and before the expiration date.
cCaution:
Epson recommends the use of genuine Epson ink cartridges. The 
use of non-genuine ink may cause damage that is not covered by 
Epson’s warranties, and under certain circumstances, may cause 
erratic printer behavior. Epson cannot guarantee the quality or 
reliability of non-genuine ink. Information about the ink cartridge 
status is not displayed when non-genuine ink is used. Icon display Text display
Icon display Text display
ColorPart Number
DX6000 seriesCX5900 series
Black T0711 T0731
Cyan T0712 T0732
Magenta T0713 T0733
Yellow T0714 T0734
 
						

							20Maintenance
Ink cartridge precautions
wWarning:
If ink gets on your hands, wash them thoroughly with soap and 
water. If ink gets in your eyes, flush them immediately with water. 
If you still have discomfort or vision problems, see a doctor 
immediately.
■To avoid damaging the product, never move the 
print head by hand.
■When an ink cartridge is expended, you cannot 
continue copying or printing even if the other 
cartridges still contain ink.
■Leave the expended cartridge installed until you 
have obtained a replacement. Otherwise the ink 
remaining in the print head nozzles may dry out. 
■An IC chip on each ink cartridge monitors the 
amount of ink used from the cartridge. 
Cartridges are usable even if they are removed 
and reinserted. However, some ink is consumed 
each time cartridges are inserted because the 
printer automatically checks their reliability.
■Ink cartridges with low ink status cannot be used 
when reinserted. 
Removing and installing ink 
cartridges
Make sure you have a new ink cartridge before you 
begin. Once you start replacing a cartridge, you must 
complete all the steps in one session.
1. Do one of the following:
■If an ink cartridge is expended:
Look at the LCD screen to find out which 
cartridge should be replaced, then press the x 
Start button.
■If an ink cartridge is not expended:
Check the ink cartridge status (&“Checking the 
ink cartridge status” on page 19). Press the F 
[Setup/Utilities] button. Use the l or r button to 
select Change Cartridges. Then press the x 
Start button.2. Press the x Start button again, and then lift up 
the scanner unit.
cCaution:
Do not lift up the scanner unit when the document cover is 
open.
One of the following screens is displayed.
3. Open the cartridge cover.
cCaution:
❏Never attempt to open the cartridge cover when the print 
head is moving. Wait until the cartridges have moved to 
the replacement position.
❏Be careful not to touch the parts highlighted below.
Icon display Text display
 
						

							Maintenance21
English
4. Remove the cartridge you need to replace. 
Squeeze the tab at the back of the cartridge and 
lift it straight out. Dispose of it carefully.
cCaution:
Do not refill the ink cartridge. Other products not 
manufactured by Epson may cause damage that is not 
covered by Epson’s warranties, and under certain 
circumstances, may cause erratic printer behavior.
5. Before you open the new ink cartridge package, 
shake it four or five times. Then remove it from 
the package.
cCaution:
Do not touch the green chip on the side of the cartridge. This 
can damage the ink cartridge.
6. Remove the yellow tape from the bottom of the 
ink cartridge.
cCaution:
❏You must remove the yellow tape from the cartridge 
before installing it; otherwise, print quality may decline or 
you may not be able to print.
❏If you have installed an ink cartridge without removing the 
yellow tape, take the cartridge out of the product remove 
the yellow tape, and then reinstall it.
❏Do not remove the transparent seal from the bottom of the 
cartridge; otherwise, the cartridge may become unusable.
❏Do not remove or tear the label on the cartridge; 
otherwise, ink will leak.
7. Place the ink cartridge into the cartridge holder 
with the bottom down. Then push down the ink 
cartridge until it clicks into place.
8. Replace any other ink cartridges that need to be 
replaced.
9. Close the ink cartridge cover and press it until it 
clicks into place.
cCaution:
If you find it difficult to close the cover, make sure all the 
cartridges are firmly seated. Press down on each cartridge 
until you hear it click into place. Do not attempt to force the 
cover closed.
 
						

							22Maintenance
10. Close the scanner unit. 
11. Press the x Start button.
When the product begins charging, one of the 
following LCD screens is displayed.
This takes about one minute. When the ink 
charging finishes, it automatically returns to the 
Copy mode.
cCaution:
Do not turn off the product during ink charging as this will 
waste ink.
Checking and Cleaning the 
Print Head
If your printouts are unexpectedly light, colors are 
missing, or you see light or dark lines across the 
page, you may need to clean the print head. This 
clears the print head nozzles, which can become 
clogged if you do not use the product for a long time.
Tip:
We recommend that you turn on the product at least once a month 
to maintain good print quality.
Checking the print head
You can print a nozzle check pattern to see if any 
print head nozzles are clogged, or to check the results 
after cleaning the print head.
1. Load A4-size plain paper in the sheet feeder 
(&page 6).
2. Press the F [Setup/Utilities] button.
3. Use the l or r button to select Check Ink 
Nozzles, and then press the x Start button to 
print the nozzle check pattern.
4. Examine the nozzle check pattern you printed. 
Each staggered line should be solid, with no 
gaps, as shown.
■If your printout looks okay, the print head 
does not need to be cleaned yet. Press the F 
[Setup/Utilities] button to return to the 
previous mode.
■If you see any gaps, as shown below, clean 
the print head as described in the next 
section.
Icon display Text display
 
						

							Maintenance23
English
Cleaning the print head
Follow these steps to clean the print head so it can 
deliver ink properly. Before cleaning the print head, 
run a nozzle check to see if the print head needs 
cleaning (&“Checking the print head” on page 22).
Note:
❏Print head cleaning uses ink, so clean it only if quality declines.
❏If a message on the LCD screen tells you that a cartridge is 
expended or low on ink, you cannot clean the print head. You 
must first replace the ink cartridge indicated (&“Replacing Ink 
Cartridges” on page 19).
1. Make sure the product is turned on but not 
printing.
2. Press the F [Setup/Utilities] button.
3. Use the l or r button to select Clean Print 
Head, and then press the x Start button to start 
cleaning.
During cleaning, one of the following screens is 
displayed.
cCaution:
Never turn off the product while head cleaning is in progress. 
You may damage it.
4. When cleaning finishes, print a nozzle check 
pattern to check the results (&“Checking the 
print head” on page 22).
If there are still gaps or the test patterns are faint, 
run another cleaning cycle and check the nozzles 
again.
Note:
If you do not see any improvement after cleaning about four 
times, turn off the product and wait overnight. This lets any 
dried ink soften. Then try cleaning the print head again. If 
quality still does not improve, one of the ink cartridges may be 
old or damaged and needs to be replaced (&“Replacing Ink 
Cartridges” on page 19).
Aligning the Print Head
If you notice that vertical lines are not aligned 
properly on the nozzle check printout, you may be 
able to solve this problem by aligning the print head.
You can align the print head by pressing the buttons, 
or you can run the Print Head Alignment utility from 
your computer. For the most accurate alignment, the 
utility is recommended.
1. Load A4-size plain paper (&page 6).
2. Press the F [Setup/Utilities] button.
3. Use the l or r button to select Align Print Head, 
and then press the x Start button to print the 
alignment sheet.
Note:
Do not press the y Stop/Clear button while printing an 
alignment pattern.
4. Look at pattern #1 and find the patch that is most 
evenly printed, with no noticeable streaks or 
lines. 
5. Press the u or d button until the number for that 
patch is displayed on the LCD screen.
6. Press the xStart button.
7. Repeat steps 4 to 6 for each of the other 
alignment patterns.
8. Press the F [Setup/Utilities] button to return to 
the previous mode.
Icon display Text display
 
						

							24Maintenance
Cleaning This Product
To keep the operation of the product at its best, clean 
it periodically using the following procedure.
1. Unplug the power cord.
2. Remove all paper from the sheet feeder.
3. Use a soft brush to carefully clean away all dust 
and dirt from the sheet feeder.
4. If the glass surface of the document table gets 
dirty, clean it with a soft, dry, clean cloth. If the 
glass surface is stained with grease or some other 
hard-to-remove material, use a small amount of 
glass cleaner and a soft cloth to remove it. Wipe 
off all remaining liquid.
5. If the inside of the product accidentally gets 
soiled with ink, use a soft, dry, clean cloth to 
wipe the ink off the area indicated in the 
illustration.
wWarning:
Be careful not to touch the gears or rollers inside the product.
cCaution:
❏Do not press the glass surface of the document table with any 
force.
❏Be careful not to scratch or damage the glass surface of the 
document table, and do not use a hard or abrasive brush to 
clean it. A damaged glass surface can decrease the copy 
quality.
❏Do not apply grease to the metal parts under the print head 
carriage.
❏Never use alcohol or thinner to clean the product. These 
chemicals can damage the components as well as the case.
❏Be careful to keep water away from the printing and copying 
mechanisms and electronic components.
❏Do not spray the inside of the product with lubricants. 
Unsuitable oils can damage the mechanism. Contact your 
dealer or a qualified service person if lubrication is needed.
Transporting This Product
If you need to move the product some distance, you 
need to prepare it for transportation in its original 
box or one of a similar size.
cCaution:
❏When storing or transporting the product, avoid tilting it, placing 
it vertically, or turning it upside down; otherwise ink may leak 
from the cartridges.
❏Leave the ink cartridges installed; removing the cartridges for 
transportation may damage the product.
1. Remove all paper from the sheet feeder and 
make sure the product is off.
2. Open the scanner unit and make sure the print 
head is in the home position on the right. 
3. Secure the ink cartridge holder to the case with 
tape as shown.
4. Close the scanner unit.
5. Unplug the power cord from the outlet, then 
disconnect the USB cable from your computer.
6. Close the paper support, the feeder guard, and 
the output tray.
7. Repack the product in the box, using the 
protective materials that came with it.
Keep the product level as you transport it. After you 
move it, remove the tape securing the print head. If 
you notice a decline in print quality, run a cleaning 
cycle (&“Checking and Cleaning the Print Head” on 
page 22) or align the print head (&“Aligning the 
Print Head” on page 23).
 
						

							Solving Problems25
English
Solving Problems
If you have a problem with the product, check the messages on the LCD screen to diagnose what may be causing 
the problem.
You can also check “Problems and Solutions” on page 27 for troubleshooting suggestions on using the product 
without a computer. See the User’s Guide included in the software CD-ROM for help on using the product with a 
computer.
Error Messages
You can diagnose and solve most problems by checking the messages on the LCD screen. If you cannot solve the 
problems by checking the messages, use the following table and try the recommended solution.
LCD ScreenCauseSolution
IconText
The ink cartridge is 
expended.Change the expended ink cartridges (&“Replacing Ink Cartridges” 
on page 19).
The ink cartridge is not 
installed or not installed 
correctly.Install the ink cartridges correctly (&“Replacing Ink Cartridges” on 
page 19).
No paper is loaded in the 
sheet feeder.Load paper in the sheet feeder. Then press xStart to continue or 
yStop/Clear to cancel (&“Loading Paper” on page 6).
Paper is jammed. Clean the jam, then press x Start (&“Paper feed problems” on 
page 27).
The index sheet was not 
recognized because it is 
not positioned correctly.Position the index sheet correctly on the document table, aligning 
the top of it with the left edge of the glass. Then press xStart to 
continue or yStop/Clear to cancel.
The index sheet was not printed correctly. Print the index sheet, 
mark it, and try again (&“Selecting and Printing Photos Using an 
Index Sheet” on page 16).
The index sheet is marked 
incorrectly.Remove the index sheet, mark it correctly, and try again 
(&“2. Selecting photos from the index sheet” on page 17).
The index sheet does not 
match the photos on the 
memory card.Remove the memory card and insert the card used to print the 
index sheet -or place the correct index sheet on the document 
table. Then press xStart to continue or yStop/Clear to cancel.
 
						

							26Solving Problems
An error occurred during 
photo pre-scanning.Check that the photo is placed correctly and try again (&“Placing 
Originals on the Document Table” on page 8).
Not enough ink to perform 
head cleaning.Replace with new ink cartridges (&“Replacing Ink Cartridges” on 
page 19).
There is a problem with the 
product.Turn the product off and then back on. If the error does not clear, 
contact your dealer (&“Contacting Customer Support” on page 
29).
Waste ink pad in the 
product is saturated.Contact your dealer to replace it (&“Contacting Customer Support” 
on page 29).
The memory card does not 
contain any valid photos.Remove the memory card (&“Handling a Memory Card” on page 
12).
Memory card error. Remove the memory card (&“Handling a Memory Card” on page 
12).
The connected camera is 
not recognized.Check the connection and try again (&“Printing from a Digital 
Camera” on page 18).
The paper thickness lever 
is set to the wrong position.Set the paper thickness lever to the correct position and try again.
If you are printing on paper, move the lever to the m position. If you 
are printing on envelopes, move the lever to the ^ position.
No memory card is 
inserted.Insert a valid memory card and try again (&“Handling a Memory 
Card” on page 12).
LCD ScreenCauseSolution
IconText
 
						

							Solving Problems27
English
Problems and Solutions
Check the solutions below if you are having 
problems using the product.
Setup problems
The product makes noise after you turn it on.
■Make sure the protective tape is not blocking the 
print head. After releasing the print head, turn 
off the power, wait a moment, then turn it back 
on.
The product makes noise after ink cartridge 
installation.
■When you install ink cartridges, the ink delivery 
system must be charged. Wait until charging is 
finished, then turn off the product. If you turn it 
off too soon, it may use extra ink the next time 
you turn it on.
■Make sure the ink cartridges are seated securely 
and no protective material remains in the 
product. Open the cartridge cover and push the 
cartridges down until they click into place. Turn 
off the power, wait a moment, then turn it back 
on.
A screen that prompts you to restart the computer 
did not display after finishing the software 
installation.
■The software has not been installed correctly. 
Eject and insert the CD-ROM, and then install 
the software again.
Printing and copying problems
The product makes printing sounds, but nothing 
prints.
■The print head nozzles may need cleaning 
(&“Checking the print head” on page 22).
■Make sure the product is on a flat, stable surface.
The margins are incorrect.
■Make sure your original is positioned in the top 
left corner of the document table.
■If the edges of the copy are cropped off, move the 
original away from the corner slightly.
■Make sure the paper size settings are correct for 
the paper you have loaded.
■Make sure your paper is loaded short edge first, 
all the way to the right, with the left edge guide 
lightly against the paper (&“Loading Paper” on 
page 6).■Do not load paper above the carrow mark 
inside the left edge guide (&“Loading Paper” on 
page 6).
Blank pages are printed.
■Make sure the paper size settings are correct for 
the paper you have loaded.
■The print head nozzles may need cleaning 
(&“Cleaning the print head” on page 23).
Paper feed problems
Paper does not feed correctly or is jammed.
■If paper does not feed, remove it from the sheet 
feeder. Fan the paper, load it against the right 
side, and slide the left edge guide against the 
paper (but not too tightly). Make sure the paper 
is not in front of the feeder guard.
■Do not load paper above the carrow mark 
inside the left edge guide (&“Loading Paper” on 
page 6).
■If paper is jammed, the icon or the message is 
displayed on the LCD screen. Follow these steps 
to clear the jam:
1. Press the xStart button to eject the jammed 
paper. If the jammed paper is not ejected, go on 
to the next step.
2. If the paper is stuck near the sheet feeder or 
output tray, gently pull it out then press the 
xStart button.
If the paper is stuck inside the product, press the 
POn butt on t o turn  it o ff. Open  the sca n ner uni t 
and remove any paper inside, including any torn 
pieces. Do not pull it backward; this can damage 
the sheet feeder. Close the scanner unit, then 
turn the product back on.
■If paper jams frequently, make sure the left edge 
guide is not pushed too tightly against the paper. 
Try loading fewer sheets of paper.
Print quality problems
You see banding (light lines) in your printouts or 
copies.
 
						

							28Solving Problems
■Clean the print head (&“Checking the print 
head” on page 22).
■Make sure you select the correct paper type 
(&“Selecting Paper” on page 6).
■Make sure the printable (whiter or glossier) side 
of the paper is face-up.
■The ink cartridges may need replacing 
(&“Removing and installing ink cartridges” on 
page 20).
■Align the print head (&“Aligning the Print 
Head” on page 23).
■Clean the document table (&“Cleaning This 
Product” on page 24).
Your printout is blurry or smeared.
■Make sure the document is placed flat against 
the document table. If only part of the image is 
blurred, your original may be wrinkled or 
warped.
■Make sure the product is not tilted or placed on 
an uneven surface.
■Make sure your paper is not damp, curled, or 
loaded face-down (the whiter or glossier 
printable side should be face-up). Load new 
paper face-up.
■Use a support sheet with special paper or try 
loading your paper one sheet at a time.
■Load your paper one sheet at a time. Remove 
sheets from the output tray so not too many 
collect at a time.
■Align the print head (&“Aligning the Print 
Head” on page 23).
■Make several copies without placing a document 
on the document table.
■Use only paper recommended by Epson and 
genuine Epson cartridges.
■Set the paper thickness lever to the mposition for 
most paper types. If you are printing on 
envelopes, set the lever to the ^position.■Clean the document table (&“Cleaning This 
Product” on page 24).
Your printout is faint or has gaps.
■Clean the print head (&“Cleaning the print 
head” on page 23).
■If you notice jagged vertical lines, you may need 
to align the print head (&“Aligning the Print 
Head” on page 23).
■The ink cartridges may be old or low on ink. 
Replace the ink cartridges (&“Replacing Ink 
Cartridges” on page 19).
■Make sure you select the correct paper type 
(&“Selecting Paper” on page 6).
■Make sure your paper is not damaged, old, dirty, 
or loaded face-down. If it is, load new paper with 
the whiter or glossier side face-up.
Your printout is grainy.
■If you are printing or copying a photo, make sure 
you are not enlarging it too much. Try printing it 
smaller.
■Align the print head (&“Aligning the Print 
Head” on page 23).
You see incorrect or missing colors.
■Clean the print head (&“Cleaning the print 
head” on page 23).
■The ink cartridges may be old or low on ink. 
Replace the ink cartridges (&“Replacing Ink 
Cartridges” on page 19).
■Make sure you loaded the right paper and 
selected the correct setting for it on the control 
panel.
The image size or position is incorrect.
■Make sure you loaded the right paper and 
selected the correct setting for it on the control 
panel.
■Make sure the original is placed correctly on the 
document table (&“Placing Originals on the 
Document Table” on page 8).
■Clean the document table (&“Cleaning This 
Product” on page 24).
Other problems
When you turn off the product, a red lamp inside 
the product may remain on.
■The lamp will stay on for a maximum of 15 
minutes, then go out automatically. This does 
not indicate malfunction.