Epson 1500W unexpected head cleaning cycles

[brianmk]

I have owned an Epson 1500W for about 5/6 years.

I carry out regular nozzel checks every week or two to avoid heads becoming blocked if the printer has not been used.

Today I when I powered up the printer and carried out the nozzel check, the printer first went through an extended cleaning cycle. That's to be expected if the printer has not been used for some time.

I noticed a gap in the printed test image for one of the heads. From past experience, if you leave the printer for a while, the blocked nozzel will often clear itself without running another wasteful cleaning cycle. So I left the printer for about an hour before initiating another nozzel check. The printer unexpectedly decided to execute another extended cleaning cycle before printing the nozzel check pattern.

One of the cartridges was indicating that it was low on ink (the 'ink' led was flashing). However I don't see why this should trigger another cleaning cycle. I sometimes think this is a deliberate ploy by Epson to waste as much ink as possible.

Has anyone else found this issue?

 

[NAwlins Contrarian]

I have owned an Epson 1500W for about 5/6 years.

I can't answer your question, but to maybe increase the number of those who could, I think that the printer that Epson sold in the U.K. / E.U. as the 1500W is the same printer it sold in the U.S. (and I suspect Canada) as the Artisan 1430.

 

[nikaga]

Hi!

Install the last firmware.

And then observe.

Must be all good.

I have a printer for 4 years.

 

[brianmk]

Hi!

Install the last firmware.

And then observe.

Must be all good.

I have a printer for 4 years.

I would be nervous about updating the printer firmware.

Articles online suggest that doing so could prevent the user from installing 3rd party cartridges or CISS. There are also stories of printers not working after failed attempts to update the firmware.

The nozzel check pattern includes the current firmware version. This indicates AO05IC.

What is the latest for the 1500W? Where can it be downloaded?

Is there a list of changes between firmware versions?

 

[brianmk]

Today I needed to print a savings account statement. A single sheet of plain paper.

The printer decided to execute yet another cleaning cycle before printing. This was after two cleaning cycles when printing nozzel check patterns the day before.

A short time later I needed to print a second sheet.

At this point the printer decided the magenta cartridge was empty; the ink warning LED changed from flashing to continuous. This forced me to change the cartridge before I could continue. This of course triggered the printer to carry out yet another full cleaning cycle. ARRRGGH!

In total the printer has executed FOUR cleaning cycles in two days:-

* One before a nozzel check pattern because the printer had not been used for a while.

* One unexplained before a printing second nozzel check on the same day.

* One unexplained before printing a normal page one day later.

* One after changing a cartridge.

It's costing me a fortune in wasted time and ink.

I never had these problems with my older Epson 1290. I think my next printer will be a Canon.

 

[Sagittarius]

Today I needed to print a savings account statement. A single sheet of plain paper.

The printer decided to execute yet another cleaning cycle before printing. This was after two cleaning cycles when printing nozzel check patterns the day before.

A short time later I needed to print a second sheet.

At this point the printer decided the magenta cartridge was empty; the ink warning LED changed from flashing to continuous. This forced me to change the cartridge before I could continue. This of course triggered the printer to carry out yet another full cleaning cycle. ARRRGGH!

In total the printer has executed FOUR cleaning cycles in two days:-

* One before a nozzel check pattern because the printer had not been used for a while.

* One unexplained before a printing second nozzel check on the same day.

* One unexplained before printing a normal page one day later.

* One after changing a cartridge.

It's costing me a fortune in wasted time and ink.

I never had these problems with my older Epson 1290. I think my next printer will be a Canon.

I had an Epson Photo Stylus 1400 and never had a problem like you describe.

 

[MrScary]

I use Refillable Cartridges in mine. All Epsons and Canon will do a cleaning cycle each time you insert a cartridge. On my Canon 100s I change ALL carts at same time. I have 4 lots of spare carts for it. I can't do that on my 1500W as it would cost me another £52 or more for a set of refillable carts. It is not called Rip Off Britain for no reason. Ink here cost more than Gold.

 

[nikaga]

Hi!

Install the last firmware.

And then observe.

Must be all good.

I have a printer for 4 years.

I would be nervous about updating the printer firmware.

Articles online suggest that doing so could prevent the user from installing 3rd party cartridges or CISS. There are also stories of printers not working after failed attempts to update the firmware.

The nozzel check pattern includes the current firmware version. This indicates AO05IC.

What is the latest for the 1500W? Where can it be downloaded?

Is there a list of changes between firmware versions?

Hi.

I only use original cartridges and photographic paper (art paper, canvas) Epson.

You have the latest firmware version.

Epson does not report a list of changes.

I have no problems with the printer cleaning.

Do you use third-party cartridges? If so, then this is the whole problem.