how to override the Epson change ink cartridge setting Xp-630

[fare]

This is my first (and perhaps last Epson printer). For 30 years I have had HP printers and always had a really good experience. This one has been a nightmare...ink, settings, wireless hangups, etc.

But, the above rant is just for those thinking about buying a cheap printer.

Now, the question.

Article after article online exists about ink cartridges having anywhere from 10 to 30 % ink left in them when Epson stops printing because it says a cartridge has to be changed.

Right now, my printer has a full xl black in. The photoBlack is low. I want to print a black and white document. So, even though there is plenty of black ink I cannot finish printing a document because the photo Black is low.

On every HP printer I had previously I could print until I DECIDED to replace the ink. I can tell when the print gets low and the quality falls. And, it never damaged the printer. I had each one for years.

So, I am hoping that there is a setting that gives the OWNER the independence/freedom to decide when to replace the ink. I am hopeful that this can be done and my ire with Epson may subside and happiness return to my printing at home experience. : )

It is true that I had never purchased such a cheap printer as the XP-630, but I recently retired and print documents so rarely, I thought surely this would accomplish the task. But, it is an expensive process.

Hope you can help me out.

 

[Gesture]

Looked everywhere in my XP-950 settings. Couldn't find it.

 

[fare]

Looked everywhere in my XP-950 settings. Couldn't find it.

I would like to believe that Epson (and others) are dealing with their consumers in good faith and with integrity. Perhaps, there is some truth to some claims that nozzles and print heads may be damaged if no ink is available, BUT........ and it is a big, credible but.

As I mentioned, I used other printers for decades, older printers. I had options. I could turn off all colors and just print black and white. I could print till I was disgusted with the print quality or could not read it. Lots of printing is just for a file and if it is readable, I am fine.

The point of the above paragraph is that IF they are now manufacturing print heads less durable and dependable than years prior, it is a manufacturing choice to the detriment of the consumer which is also much more costly and inconvenient.

It is a manufacturing choice with an eye to the corporate bottom line that has less to do with individual choice, convenience, and efficiency. In years past, I was more accustomed to corporate decisions that tried to serve both, their bottom line which, of course, needs to be served, and a respectful view of the customers needs. That dialogue, that two way street, that integrity seems to be slipping....disappearing as corporations think more of owning the future than serving customers who own their own destiny.

Sorry for the philosophical/cultural spin, but I am appalled at directions I see us allowing to develop. And, I am not picking on Epson. I just got through a long nightmare ordeal with HP that started on Jan 10 of this year and it was not resolved until last week. Layers and layers of bureaucracy , of people checking the box and then checking out without ever solving a problem.

So, dear reader, if you read this far, please note that the only parts really germane to the topic is in the first three stanzas.

I am still hopeful that there is a not so obvious setting that will permit the user to use his/her printer as they choose and to change ink when they are ready. I find it so strange that every few weeks I cannot finish a print because a corporate head somewhere decided I could not finish printing a B&W document for filing because my printer was down to 20% in the yellow ink well.

By the way, I also have a Canon Pixma pro 100. Actually, I have not even used it enough to know how it behaves when the ink runs low.

OK. Let's go shoot some pics. I can't print my doc till I run back to Staples. : )

 

[Gesture]

The difference with many HP models, the print head is in the cartridge you buy, so HP can more easily allow black only (limp home) mode on certain printers.

I always compare the ink in a Canon/Epson to running a vehicle where a single substance is used for propulsion, transmission, braking, power steering, cooling, etc.

However, on the Mac, I did find Permit Temporary Black Printing OPTION. It is under System Preferences/Printers and Scanners/Options for a given printer driver install. It was there for my XP-950 and WF-7610 and some others.

I was unable to find the same option in Windows but will look some more when I can.

 

[fare]

Gesture wroteI always compare the ink in a Canon/Epson to running a vehicle where a single substance is used for propulsion, transmission, braking, power steering, cooling, etc.

However, on the Mac, I did find Permit Temporary Black Printing OPTION. It is under System Preferences/Printers and Scanners/Options for a given printer driver install. It was there for my XP-950 and WF-7610 and some others.

I was unable to find the same option in Windows but will look some more when I can.

Thanks. You have given me hope even if it is false hope. I will savor every morsel. : )

I, too, had found a url that said I could print with only black if three settings were just so and another said that I could with the status monitor turned off. But, did not seem to work for me.

However, I have not given up. Too often I found (in other applications) that a workaround DID indeed exist when its existence seemed so logical or necessary even when others said "not possible". So, still looking.

I did send Epson support an email through their website. From their response (such as it is these days), even when using black only a little color ink is permitted through to keep the nozzle from gumming up. Isn't that nice and caring of them? It is hard to find the words to know how to thank them for being so thoughtful.

Remember, my initial question was why can I not print in black when I have a full brand new black ink cartridge installed...when the photo black is low or some other color. This is a nonsensical restriction to place upon users/buyers/owners which requires the manufactured cover story of protecting the nozzle head.

this is where I could even appreciate a warning that says "printing without ALL colors filled to our specifications at all times might injure your printer or terminate your warranty" but still allows me to use the purchased gadget to do its job. I do hope some Epson advisors might share this with the boardroom.

Regarding "limp mode". On older HP officejet printers I used to limp through another 10 or 20 pages before it became unreadable. I like the term you coined. : )

It is not that I like limp mode, it simply gave me plenty of time to finish something where limp mode as sufficient which is, of course, not a photograph. As it is Epson has manufactured "ransom/hostage mode" into their printers. Not a nice way to deal with buyers/customers.

Of course, I acknowledge if someone knows of a work around on the XP-630, I will provide all the necessary humble verbiage to Epson. I do always assume user ignorance long before I give in to "it can't be done."

Thanks.

 

[Donald B]

its why i have a brother printer for office work. you could P......s in the cartridge and it would still print other wise i just picked up a canon bottle printer for my A4 photos and its unreal i must have printed 100 prints and its still sitting on %80 ink and rarely cleans itself.

Don

 

[fare]

its why i have a brother printer for office work. you could P......s in the cartridge and it would still print other wise i just picked up a canon bottle printer for my A4 photos and its unreal i must have printed 100 prints and its still sitting on %80 ink and rarely cleans itself.

Don

 

[fare]

I called Epson this afternoon with the same question I have asked here. I even asked if they had one printer in their line that did not function in this way. I was told "no". They do have a monochromatic printer to which the tech support person alluded.

If the information I just shared above is incorrect, it is only because the person to whom I spoke was not aware of all product offerings.

So, it appears that Epson (and this may be true of other manufacturers or all) has chosen to manufacture a nozzle that cannot permit for such customer liberty in use. I have only owned five printers since 1997. I had some before, but do not know if they allowed printing in black only or if I could print till empty. 3 of the five since 1997 were HP and I could print black only and run them till empty without the machine telling me I could not finish a 3 or 6 page printing task before spending more money on their product. Out of the two left, one is a Canon Pixma Pro dedicated only to artistic/photographic printing. I don't even know if it will print with black only or till empty because of the way I use it. The last one is this cheap Epson I bought for printing docs for the home.

End of story.

Thanks