Epson Printer Print Quality Problems?

[davsl]

I have an Epson stylus photo 810 printer that I was very happy with because of its very high quality photo printing. I use compatible ink jet cartridges as I do not like the extortionate price of Epson cartridges over here in the UK. I have had no problems whatsoever with compatible cartridges until recently, and I do not know if it is the cartridges or the printer that is at fault, just wondered if anyone has encountered similar problems?

Recently my printer has been depositing large black marks on the paper that equates to where the paper feed rollers are on the printer. You can see the black ink when you lift the front up and this going all over my prints. I have tried a different cartridge (compatible, same type as the one that I took out though!) and cleaning the printer itself with a solvent, but as soon as I print something it just comes back. The problem obviously lies with the black inkjet cartridge. I have seen cleaning cartridges for sale and wondered if these do any good? Or would I be better trying a different type of black inkjet cartridge or do you reckon the print head has gone? As the print head is a part of this printer and would mean that it is useless I guess. Anybody had a similar thing happen? Thanks....

[WhatsThisBoxFor?]

I used to use Epson Cartridges and this happened to me, the local computer shop fixed it (my Mum and Dads opinion was that even if I can fix the computer a printer is a printer not a computer) and when my Mum and Dad stopped paying for cartridges I started using compatible ones. The problem hasn't come back since.

[thorlo6]

Like you, even though I live in the U.S., am infuriated with the extrordinarily high prices of epson cartridges. That's why I use compatible cartridges for my Epson Stylus C62. I've had my Epson printer for better part of a year and I have never encountered your problem before. You may be right about the
print head being bad. That's the only thing I can think of. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.thorlo6

[davsl]

I have tried another compatible cartridge manufactured by a different manufacturer and that is still rubbish. I would say the printer has had it, lasted just over a year. Not sure I will buy another Epson, although it is the cheap consumables that tend to push me towards another. Just hope it lasts a bit longer this time! Thanks for the advice though!

[glc]

I'm going to get a blast for saying this, but this is the problem with using anything but the overpriced factory cartridges. Some people never have problems, but others do - and once a substandard cartridge dumps ink into the works or trashes the print head, you have an expensive problem. I hope you have saved enough over the past year to pay for a new printer or a professional cleaning and repair.

[RayH]

GLC puts it on the nail head, the problem with third party is varying quality. If you could document that you used OEM products, you could probably get the cost of the repair back.

[glc]

Epsons also have a problem - you should never remove and reinstall a cartridge once it's installed. This can cause serious leaks. Refill them yourself in place before they run dry if you must.

[Designer]

I had a similar problem with my photo 915 when my girlfriend dropped it and this has re-occured twice since. This might not be causing your problem but worth checking to see if one of the rollers has come unclipped and causing smudging, also the paper thickness lever (if it has one) is set properly, this was causing black blotches on my printouts

[Designer]

Appologies for the double-post,

Got a "website not responding message" when I posted and it didn't appear in the thread so I re-posted and then there were 2.

Sorry