Epson Stylus Photo R2400 - flashing red lights on two top buttons?

On Saturday, July 7, 2012 10:01:13 AM UTC+2, Me wrote:
On 7/07/2012 7:08 p.m., Tony wrote:
> Frank Williams wrote:
>> On Fri, 06 Jul 2012 16:36:04 -0500, Tony wrote:
>>
>>> ncmphoto wrote:
>>> A cart ran out of ink. I changed it and made sure it was seated correctly.
>>> Usually the red light goes off and the head begins its cleaning/flushing
>>> cycle.
>>> This time nothing happened and the red "empty cart" light stayed on. The
>>> Epson
>>> Utility I had open on my Mac didn't help as it signaled that it had a
>>> communication problem with the printer.
>>>>
>>>> I tried:
>>>>
>>>> -turning off the printer and waiting a bit then turning it on again: the two
>>>> top buttons flashed red continually. No other response.
>>>>
>>>> -unplugging the USB cable, turning on the printer holding down the two
>>>> buttons
>>>> that should generate a report - no report, just the same two top buttons
>>>> flashing red.
>>>>
>>>> -looking in the manual, which is no help. The only top button flashing item
>>>> regards a paper jam which wasn't the case here. Paper is in tray but no jam.
>>>> I
>>>> wasn't printing when the problem occurred. There is no entry on when the top
>>>> *two* buttons flash at the same time.
>>>>
>>>> I am trying to find out what this means. I live in France and there is
>>>> effectively no tech support. No email support and the phone support
>>>> automatically - and immediately - says all lines busy...without a wait line.
>>>> Which means it is probably a fake number, not actually set up for support,
>>>> but
>>>> just to shut up complaints. The web site instructs to contact an authorized
>>>> repair service. It is unlikely they would do any phone support as they want
>>>> you
>>>> to bring in the printer and pay for them fixing it. I did email US support
>>>> but
>>>> they just emailed back without an answer saying to contact their advanced
>>>> phone
>>>> support, which probably wouldn't answer my question since I am not in the US
>>>> or
>>>> Canada.
>>>>
>>>> I have had Epson printers for many years and this is the first time I have
>>>> come across this problem. I would first of all simply like to know what the
>>>> printer is trying to tell me with its two flashing buttons.
>>>>
>>>> Anyone have a clue? I would be eternally grateful.
>>>>
>>>> thanks,
>>>>
>>>> ncm
>>>>
>>>> Mac G4 MDD Dual 1.25GHz/2Gb RAM
>>>> OSX 10.5.8
>>>> Epson Stylus Photo R2400/connected via USB cable
>>>
>>> This error is reporting that the waste ink pads are full. There is a utility
>>> that can reset the counter on some Epson printers but it does not work on
>>> this
>>> printer (SSC utility).
>>> Unfortunately I know of no way to overcome this other than by using a service
>>> agent. You may ask one what they will charge. They will have access to a
>>> method
>>> of resetting the counter and they would be able to replace the pads.
>>> Good luck
>>> Tony
>>
>>
>> The Pads are not meant to be replaced as they are part of the printers
>> construction, Epson state the printer is at the end of its life, but
>> you can fit a Plastic little drain bottle in the place were the wasted
>> ink comes out.
>
> What rubbish. Here is some history for you:
> Epson service agents have been replacing waste ink pads in Epson printers for
> years. This is one of the printers that they do so. Other printer specialists
> do so also.
> See http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/s...ref=r014001222
> where Epson themselves explicitly agree that the pads can be replaced in their
> printers.
> I have changed the ink pads in many different models of Epson printers and
> other makes.
>
> To the Original Poster, try the link above which hopefully will allow you to
> obtain the reset software from Epson, note that whilst Epson strongly suggests
> replacing the pads it is actually true that if this is the first time you have
> had this error you can safely reset the printer without pad replacement since
> the pads are quite generous in size. Next time you will have to replace the
> pads. If it is something you would be keen to do yourself I suggest you
> purchase a service manual on-line and be prepared for a somewhat messy
> procedure. You can use any absorbent felt and cut it to size, there are several
> pads in the printer, not just one.
>
> Rob kindly provided two useful links you may wish to try.
> See also
> http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/cha...-t3773024.html
> where it makes the suggestion that the SSC utility does actually work on this
> printer, I suspect however that it only works if you do the reset before you
> get the error. Despite what Mr. Williams erroneously says, this is not end of
> printer life but a warning to have the pads replaced and have the printer reset.
>
> If you are able to get the printer reset you can certainly see if it still
> prints OK, probably it will and in the future you may have to replace the pads.
> To throw away a printer of this quality would be silly. As Rob has mentioned
> fitting a bottle will do nothing unless the printer is reset but see the post
> by Arthur Entlich (a very helpful and knowledgeable person that I have known
> on-line for some years) at the second link I provided where he points to some
> links about installing a bottle.
> Good luck and beware those that know much less than they think.
> Tony
>
I have a pdf copy of the R1800/2400 factory service manual. Post a
reply, and I'll put it somewhere for download if required. R1800 and
2400 are essentially the same printer, with different outer case and
firmware.
To reset the waste ink pad counter, I believe that this may work:
http://www.wasteink.co.uk/epson-ipr-reset/ , or if not, then google for
IPR for European model.

Thanks, Me. Please do upload the printer factory service manual as I would find that most useful in general. The consumer manual is most unhelpful as regards what those blinking light combos mean.

cheers,

ncm

Thanks Tony and all the others who were kind enough to respond. It turns out that it wasn't the ink pads after all (thank goodness). It was a glitch in the ink cart insertion that caused the flashing lights. I first emailed Epson US tech assist (French Epson has no email or phone (for out of warranty) tech assistance and they got back to me with no solution but saying to call their technical assistance number. So I did. They booted me upstairs when I mentioned the printer model. Finally got someone who had me try moving the head (which moved - and I don't know why I hadn't tried that on my own, says she, kicking herself around the block) unplug the power cord while the printer was on, move the head over to where I could flip the lid and reach the carts, remove and reseat the new cart and make sure all the others were solid, plug the printer back in and...voilà! It immediately busied itself going through the normal ink charging procedure. No more blinking lights, problem solved. Duh.

I know I seated the cart correctly the first time. After all I've been doing this for something like 15 years with Epson printers. But obviously something happened to mess things up this time around. Anyhow the printer works again and I am greatly relieved.

Thanks again to all, and sorry not to have responded before but I got an urgent work request and have been busy with that.

n

Sorry Frank, I now see that "me" is posted for all, not just you (sheepish grin). I am new to this forum and Google forums in general. Didn't mean to post all that quoted text either.

ncmphoto wrote:
Thanks Tony and all the others who were kind enough to respond. It turns out
that it wasn't the ink pads after all (thank goodness). It was a glitch in the
ink cart insertion that caused the flashing lights. I first emailed Epson US
tech assist (French Epson has no email or phone (for out of warranty) tech
assistance and they got back to me with no solution but saying to call their
technical assistance number. So I did. They booted me upstairs when I mentioned
the printer model. Finally got someone who had me try moving the head (which
moved - and I don't know why I hadn't tried that on my own, says she, kicking
herself around the block) unplug the power cord while the printer was on, move
the head over to where I could flip the lid and reach the carts, remove and
reseat the new cart and make sure all the others were solid, plug the printer
back in and...voilà! It immediately busied itself going through the normal ink
charging procedure. No more blinking lights, problem solved. Duh.

I know I seated the cart correctly the first time. After all I've been doing
this for something like 15 years with Epson printers. But obviously something
happened to mess things up this time around. Anyhow the printer works again and
I am greatly relieved.

Thanks again to all, and sorry not to have responded before but I got an
urgent work request and have been busy with that.

n

Excellent, so pleased all is fixed.
Tony

ncmphoto wrote in
:

A cart ran out of ink. I changed it and made sure it was seated
correctly. Usually the red light goes off and the head begins its
cleaning/flushing cycle. This time nothing happened and the red "empty
cart" light stayed on. The Epson Utility I had open on my Mac didn't
help as it signaled that it had a communication problem with the
printer.

Mac G4 MDD Dual 1.25GHz/2Gb RAM
OSX 10.5.8
Epson Stylus Photo R2400/connected via USB cable


Did anyone offer http://www.epson.com/cgi-
bin/Storesupport/InkPadsForm.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes

That link should work. It's an Epson page titled "Epson Ink Pads Reset
Utility." They might only offer Windows versions.

If that link is already somewhere in this thread, I apologize for the
repeat--too much chaff in here to bother to read it all.

--meander the net

Thanks for the helpful link. The R2400 service manual would also be helpful.
Thanks

On Saturday, July 7, 2012 4:01:13 AM UTC-4, Me wrote:
On 7/07/2012 7:08 p.m., Tony wrote:

Frank Williams wrote:

On Fri, 06 Jul 2012 16:36:04 -0500, Tony lizandtony at orcon dot net

dot nz wrote:



ncmphoto wrote:

A cart ran out of ink. I changed it and made sure it was seated correctly.

Usually the red light goes off and the head begins its cleaning/flushing

cycle.

This time nothing happened and the red "empty cart" light stayed on. The

Epson

Utility I had open on my Mac didn't help as it signaled that it had a

communication problem with the printer.



I tried:



-turning off the printer and waiting a bit then turning it on again: the two

top buttons flashed red continually. No other response.



-unplugging the USB cable, turning on the printer holding down the two

buttons

that should generate a report - no report, just the same two top buttons

flashing red.



-looking in the manual, which is no help. The only top button flashing item

regards a paper jam which wasn't the case here. Paper is in tray but no jam.

I

wasn't printing when the problem occurred. There is no entry on when the top

*two* buttons flash at the same time.



I am trying to find out what this means. I live in France and there is

effectively no tech support. No email support and the phone support

automatically - and immediately - says all lines busy...without a wait line.

Which means it is probably a fake number, not actually set up for support,

but

just to shut up complaints. The web site instructs to contact an authorized

repair service. It is unlikely they would do any phone support as they want

you

to bring in the printer and pay for them fixing it. I did email US support

but

they just emailed back without an answer saying to contact their advanced

phone

support, which probably wouldn't answer my question since I am not in the US

or

Canada.



I have had Epson printers for many years and this is the first time I have

come across this problem. I would first of all simply like to know what the

printer is trying to tell me with its two flashing buttons.



Anyone have a clue? I would be eternally grateful.



thanks,



ncm



Mac G4 MDD Dual 1.25GHz/2Gb RAM

OSX 10.5.8

Epson Stylus Photo R2400/connected via USB cable



This error is reporting that the waste ink pads are full. There is a utility

that can reset the counter on some Epson printers but it does not work on

this

printer (SSC utility).

Unfortunately I know of no way to overcome this other than by using a service

agent. You may ask one what they will charge. They will have access to a

method

of resetting the counter and they would be able to replace the pads.

Good luck

Tony





The Pads are not meant to be replaced as they are part of the printers

construction, Epson state the printer is at the end of its life, but

you can fit a Plastic little drain bottle in the place were the wasted

ink comes out.



What rubbish. Here is some history for you:

Epson service agents have been replacing waste ink pads in Epson printers for

years. This is one of the printers that they do so. Other printer specialists

do so also.

See http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/s...ref=r014001222

where Epson themselves explicitly agree that the pads can be replaced in their

printers.

I have changed the ink pads in many different models of Epson printers and

other makes.



To the Original Poster, try the link above which hopefully will allow you to

obtain the reset software from Epson, note that whilst Epson strongly suggests

replacing the pads it is actually true that if this is the first time you have

had this error you can safely reset the printer without pad replacement since

the pads are quite generous in size. Next time you will have to replace the

pads. If it is something you would be keen to do yourself I suggest you

purchase a service manual on-line and be prepared for a somewhat messy

procedure. You can use any absorbent felt and cut it to size, there are several

pads in the printer, not just one.



Rob kindly provided two useful links you may wish to try.

See also

http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/cha...-t3773024.html

where it makes the suggestion that the SSC utility does actually work on this

printer, I suspect however that it only works if you do the reset before you

get the error. Despite what Mr. Williams erroneously says, this is not end of

printer life but a warning to have the pads replaced and have the printer reset.



If you are able to get the printer reset you can certainly see if it still

prints OK, probably it will and in the future you may have to replace the pads.

To throw away a printer of this quality would be silly. As Rob has mentioned

fitting a bottle will do nothing unless the printer is reset but see the post

by Arthur Entlich (a very helpful and knowledgeable person that I have known

on-line for some years) at the second link I provided where he points to some

links about installing a bottle.

Good luck and beware those that know much less than they think.

Tony



I have a pdf copy of the R1800/2400 factory service manual. Post a

reply, and I'll put it somewhere for download if required. R1800 and

2400 are essentially the same printer, with different outer case and

firmware.

To reset the waste ink pad counter, I believe that this may work:

http://www.wasteink.co.uk/epson-ipr-reset/ , or if not, then google for

IPR for European model.

If you still have a PDF copy of the Service Manual for the R1800, I sure would like to have one. Send it as an attachment to or

On Friday, July 6, 2012 10:49:09 AM UTC+1, ncmphoto wrote:
A cart ran out of ink. I changed it and made sure it was seated correctly.. Usually the red light goes off and the head begins its cleaning/flushing cycle. This time nothing happened and the red "empty cart" light stayed on. The Epson Utility I had open on my Mac didn't help as it signaled that it had a communication problem with the printer.



I tried:



-turning off the printer and waiting a bit then turning it on again: the two top buttons flashed red continually. No other response.



-unplugging the USB cable, turning on the printer holding down the two buttons that should generate a report - no report, just the same two top buttons flashing red.



-looking in the manual, which is no help. The only top button flashing item regards a paper jam which wasn't the case here. Paper is in tray but no jam. I wasn't printing when the problem occurred. There is no entry on when the top *two* buttons flash at the same time.



I am trying to find out what this means. I live in France and there is effectively no tech support. No email support and the phone support automatically - and immediately - says all lines busy...without a wait line. Which means it is probably a fake number, not actually set up for support, but just to shut up complaints. The web site instructs to contact an authorized repair service. It is unlikely they would do any phone support as they want you to bring in the printer and pay for them fixing it. I did email US support but they just emailed back without an answer saying to contact their advanced phone support, which probably wouldn't answer my question since I am not in the US or Canada.



I have had Epson printers for many years and this is the first time I have come across this problem. I would first of all simply like to know what the printer is trying to tell me with its two flashing buttons.



Anyone have a clue? I would be eternally grateful.



thanks,



ncm



Mac G4 MDD Dual 1.25GHz/2Gb RAM

OSX 10.5.8

Epson Stylus Photo R2400/connected via USB cable

Hi

I have an Epson Stylus Photo R2400 - had it for a number of years - its an excellent printer - however about a week ago - with no warning .... the top two lights on the display (ie the top two buttons on the right handside of the printer ) started flashing green - and the printer would not respond in anyway - I tried just switching it off and on again - but still the two lights flashed and no response.I then researched the problem on the web (before I read this advice!) and decided it maybe that the pads were full of ink and I paid (circa 8 dollars) for a sub routine over the net from a US company to reset the counter to zero - accepting this would not change anything regarding the pads but it would fool the printer into thinking that all was well! However this didn't work and the company advised that there must be another problem. I was almost at the point of buying a new printer when I read the advice on this site - which was switch printer on (lights were flashing as before) - unplug the printer from the mains (ie dont switch off at switch) - pull over the printer cartridge carriage and take out all the printer cartridges and I rub down the connections to make sure there was nothing on them causing a problem - and press them firmly back into place - and then ..... after making sure the printer carriage lid is shut replug the printer in - and yes it works again as new - so many thanks - and hope this works for others who have the same problem.

Thanks again

Dave C