Epson Stylus C86 smearing

Try going into the menu and cleaning your print heads. If that doesn't work, take out the cartridge and using a cotton swab and alcohol, clean the print heads.

clean ink system assembly and try again if not solve you need to replace print head

You said all new cartridges.. But are they Epson Genuine Cartridges???? I had the same problem when I replaced with new, but generic cartridges.
After finally, going thru 2 sets of each, removed them and put in Genuine., and finally, everthing started printing fine. Weird , but true.
I suggested my answer problem below.
Good Luck :0)

Problem for Epson Stylus C84 InkJet Printer
Re: C84 I'm using generic ink, but the red
By mclamemo on Nov 12, 2009 re: C84 I'm using generic ink, but the red doesn't work at all. I've done all the printer cleaning programs and swabbed inside the printer with alcohol, and re-inserted the cartridge multiple times. it still doesn't print at all.

Also now even the black every few lines prints the top half of the line or the bottom half of the line, or its smeared, etc...

Help!
Best Solution
posted on Nov 12, 2009


cns assoc


Rank: Wiz Expert
Rating: 84%, 22 votes
I have learned from experience, that Epson does not like generic ink. You must use Epson Genuine Cartridges. Hopefully, you haven't screwed up the printer, like I did. I did try cleaning the heads and doing everything possible. Use 2 cartridges of ech set, for cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. ......But Nothing.
Had to go out and purchase a new printer.;
Good Luck :0(
Asker's Testimonial
" Thank you. Called Epson also and they didn't say it as directly, but advised real Epson ink too. Hope I didn't kill the printer! Generic ink for sale " - mclamemo

Comments:
Nov 12, 2009
- Funny. hahahahah,
Me too! I would say, about 2 dozen cartridges to be exact.

lol :0) :0) :0

It may be caused by waste ink at bottom plate of head. Print blank pages about 10.

Thought--------- Repairs will be more than a new printer. Buy another one.

They are always on SALE.

Good Luck.

It means that it is the time for you to buy a new printer..

It has to be a bad batch or the wrong system.
Are you sure that the disks are labeled inkjet printable and not lightscribe?
Most printables are white in color and lightscribes are tannish.

Please load the printer with at least 10 sheets of plain paper then press the start button. This will dry or clean any ink found on the rollers.
Continue to run blank pages through the printer until no more ink is found on the paper, then attempt printing. If ink stains, streaks or smudges are still present, the printer may need service.

You have to check if the waste pad of the printer is full. If this occurs, you have to call a technician to replace it (or yourself can do , if you are able to). With the waste pad replaced, you can reset the internal counter with this program :
http://www.ssclg.com/epsone.shtml

This program can show you if the waste pad is full, or what problem is happening.

Some of Epson's ink have inconsistent quality. Some batches have runny ink. Nozzle cleaning and print head alignments don't help at all, if they didn't make it worse in the first place. I've experienced problems like yours several times as well. Here's what I did that worked for my Epson 960. Move the printer to a really dry place. Take out all the ink and let the printer sit and dry for a few days and then change all ink cartridges. Make sure you buy newly created ink. All Epson ink come with born-on dating so find the ones with the most recent dates and make sure the whole batch is produced at around the same time to ensure color consistency. Plug them in and try it out. If the problem remains, you may need to bring the printer in for repairs.