Epson printers are known for their reliability, high-quality output, and user-friendly features. However, like all electronic devices, they can experience issues that affect their performance. Resetting an Epson printer is often an effective troubleshooting step when encountering error messages, connection issues, or other malfunctions. This blog will walk you through how to reset Epson printer and provide some FAQs.
Index:
- When to Reset Your Epson Printer?
- Soft Reset & Hard Reset
- Check before Resetting
- How to Reset Epson Printer
- What to Do After Resetting Your Printer
- Frequently Asked Questions About Epson Printer Reset
I. When to Reset Your Epson Printer?
Resetting your Epson printer is often a good idea when you encounter some printer problems.
Ink Pad is Full: Epson printers have an internal counter that tracks ink pad usage. Once the counter reaches a certain limit, the printer will display an error message indicating that the ink pad is full. Resetting the Epson printer can clear this error.
Paper Jams and Printing Errors: If your Epson printer frequently experiences paper jams or error messages during printing, resetting it might help resolve these issues.
Connectivity Issues: Sometimes, an Epson printer will lose connection to your network or computer, and a reset can help reestablish the connection.
Slow Performance:When your Epson printer is running slower than usual, a simple reset can clear up any temporary issues causing the delay.
Firmware Update Problems: If a firmware update fails or causes problems, resetting your Epson printer can restore it to its previous state.
Maintenance Request: When the printer requests maintenance that isn't immediately necessary or when you want to perform a general reset to clear any minor issues.
II. Soft Reset & Hard Reset
Epson printer resets can be divided into two categories: soft reset and hard reset. The two methods differ in the extent to which they clear the printer's data.
A soft reset is a basic restart of your Epson printer that can fix minor problems without deleting any settings or data. It is often the first step in troubleshooting and can quickly fix problems such as temporary failures or communication errors.
A hard reset, or factory reset, is a more comprehensive reset that returns the Epson printer to its original factory settings. This method is more invasive than a soft reset and should be used when there are more serious problems, such as persistent error codes or major connection problems.
Typically, a hard reset will delete all settings and data stored on the printer, including network configurations and customized preferences. If your Epson printer does not have a hard reset function, consider performing a network settings reset, as printer failures are often caused by the network.
If you need to reset the printer, try a soft reset first, and if that doesn't work, try a hard reset.
III. Check before Resetting
Before you begin the reset process, be sure to do some preliminary checks:
First, make sure your Epson printer is connected to a power source and is properly connected to your device or network.
Second, open the printer cover to see if there is any paper or foreign objects stuck inside.
Then, check if your Epson printer ink is out or not installed correctly to resolve the error message popped up by the ink cartridge. Learn more in our blog How to Check Ink Levels on Epson Printer.
Finally, run any available printer diagnostic tests to identify the specific problem and follow the instructions to try to resolve the printing failure.
After completing all the above steps, if your Epson printer failure still exists, it is time to perform a printer reset.
IV. How to Reset Epson Printer
How to Epson printer reset? We’ll start with a soft reset and then move on to a hard reset. Each method is tailored to a different printer model to ensure you get the correct instructions for your specific device.
1. Soft Reset First
A soft reset is the simplest Epson reset. This simple action can resolve many common issues, such as temporary glitches or communication errors between the printer and computer.
Turn Off Your Printer: Press the power button to turn off the Epson printer.
Unplug the Power Cord: Disconnect your Epson printer from the power source.
Wait for a While: Then, unplug the printer from the power source for at least 5-10 minutes to ensure it is completely turned off.
Reconnect the Power Cord: Next, plug your Epson printer back into the power source.
Turn on the Printer: Press the power button to turn the printer back on.
2. Then Hard Reset
Soft reset didn't work? Consider hard resetting your Epson printer to restore it to its original factory settings. Some persistent error messages or network connection issues can be quickly resolved using this method.
① For Epson Printers with a Touch Screen
For Epson printers with a touch screen, you can find the option to restore default settings in the settings, e.g., Epson Artisan 800, Epson WF-3640. Take the Epson WorkForce WF-3640 printer as an example.
Access the Control Panel: Use the touch screen to navigate to the home screen.
Open Setup Menu: Tap on the “Setup” icon or option from the home screen.
Select "Restore Default Settings": Scroll through the menu options to find and select “Restore Default Settings” or “Reset.”
Choose Reset Type: Depending on your model, you might need to select the specific type of reset, such as "Network Settings" or "All Settings." For a complete factory reset, choose "All Settings."
Confirm the Reset: Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the reset. This usually involves tapping “Yes” or “OK” when prompted.
Wait for the Process to Complete: The printer will restart automatically and begin the reset process, which may take a few minutes.
Reconfigure Settings: After the reset, reconfigure your Epson WF-3640 printer settings, including language, date/time, and network connections.
② For Button + Screen (Non-Touch Screen) Epson Printers
For this type of printer, there are usually three or four options to choose from. You can choose any of the options, such as Restore Network Settings, Restore All Settings, Restore Copy Settings, Restore Fax Settings. This type of printer includes the Epson EcoTank ET-2750, Epson EcoTank ET-2760, Epson Expression Home XP-4100, Epson EcoTank ET-2720, and Epson EcoTank ET-2800. Take the Epson EcoTank ET-2750 printer as an example.
Navigate to Setup Menu: Use the control buttons (arrow keys) to navigate through the menu and highlight the “Setup” option.
Open Setup Menu: Press the “OK” button to enter the setup menu.
Select "Restore Default Settings": Use the arrow keys to find and select “Restore Default Settings” or “Reset Settings.”
Choose Reset Type: Select the type of reset you need, typically "All Settings" for a full reset.
Confirm the Reset: Press the “OK” button to confirm and follow any additional on-screen instructions.
Wait for the Process to Complete: Allow the printer to restart and complete the reset process.
Reconfigure Settings: After the reset, you’ll need to set up your ET-2750 printer again, including entering your Wi-Fi details and any other preferences.
③ For Epson Printers without a Screen and Only Buttons
This type of Epson printer with only buttons can generally only reset the printer network settings. Take the Epson EcoTank ET-2400 printer as an example.
Turn Off the Printer: Press the power button to turn off your Epson ET-2400 printer.
Press and Hold Specific Buttons: Depending on the model, you might need to hold down a combination of buttons (e.g., the power button and a specific function button like “Stop” or “Reset”).
Wait for the Indicator Lights: Continue holding the buttons until the indicator lights start flashing.
Release the Buttons: Release the buttons once the lights begin flashing, indicating that the reset process has started.
Wait for the Printer to Restart: The Epson EcoTank ET-2400 will restart and reset itself, which might take a few minutes.
Turn On the Printer: Press the power button to turn the printer back on.
④ Epson Printer with Reset Button on the Back
Some older Epson printer models have a reset button on the back. However, since 2020, Epson has restricted this functionality and removed the button after discovering that some users were using it to hack their printers. If your Epson printer has this reset button, the process is simple:
Locate the Reset Button: Find the reset button on the back of the printer.
Press and Hold the Reset Button: Use a paperclip or similar tool to press and hold the reset button.
Wait for the Printer to Restart: Hold the button for about 5-10 seconds until the printer restarts.
Release the Button: Once the printer restarts, release the reset button.
Reconfigure Settings: After the reset, reconfigure your printer settings, such as network connections and print preferences.
V. What to Do After Resetting Your Printer
Resetting the printer is the first step in fixing Epson printer problems. After resetting, you will need to reconfigure the printer settings to restore full functionality.
Reconnect to Your Network: If you performed a hard reset, you’ll need to reconnect your printer to your Wi-Fi network. Follow the instructions in your printer’s manual or on the Epson website to reconnect.
Reinstall Drivers and Software: Ensure that your printer drivers and any necessary software are correctly installed on your computer.
Restore Custom Settings: Reapply any custom settings or preferences you had before the reset.
Perform a Test Print: Run a test print to ensure that your printer is working correctly and that all settings are properly configured.
VI. Frequently Asked Questions About Epson Printer Reset
1. How to Reconnect to Epson Printer's WiFi After Hard Reset?
Access Network Settings: Use the printer’s control panel to navigate to the network settings menu.
Select Wi-Fi Setup: Choose the Wi-Fi setup option and follow the prompts to connect to your network.
Enter Network Credentials: Input your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password.
Confirm Connection: Wait for the printer to confirm the connection and print a network status sheet if necessary.
Read the blog How to Connect Epson Printer to WiFi to learn more.
2. How to Reset Epson Ink Cartridges?
Remove the Ink Cartridges: Open the printer cover and carefully remove the ink cartridges.
Reset the Chip: Use an ink cartridge chip reset tool to reset the chip on each cartridge. Follow the instructions that come with the reset tool.
Reinstall the Cartridges: Place the ink cartridges back into the printer.
Run a Test Print: Perform a test print to ensure that the printer recognizes the cartridges and that the ink levels are correct.
3. What to Do When the Epson Printer is Stuck in Recovery Mode
If your Epson printer is stuck in recovery mode, resetting it will not solve the problem. Instead, you need to update the firmware via a USB cable and a computer. Please follow the steps below:
Download Firmware Update: Visit the Epson website and download the latest firmware update for your printer model.
Connect the Printer to Your Computer: Use a USB cable to connect your printer to your computer.
Run the Firmware Update: Follow the on-screen instructions to update the firmware. Ensure that the printer remains connected and powered on during the update.
Restart the Printer: Once the firmware update is complete, restart your printer and check if the issue is resolved.
VII. Conclusion
Resetting your Epson printer is an effective way to troubleshoot a variety of issues. Following the steps outlined in this guide, you can perform a soft reset, hard reset, and network settings reset to get your printer back to working order. If you experience ongoing issues, feel free to contact Epson Support for further assistance.
