Epson ET-2850 how to clean the print head from the control panel
When the nozzle check pattern has gaps. Cleaning uses ink, so clean only when print quality declines.
Steps
- Make sure there are no errors on the LCD screen and the output tray is extended.
- Load a few sheets of plain paper in the product.
- Press the home button, if necessary.
- Select Maintenance > Head Cleaning.
Never turn off the product or open the scanner unit during a cleaning cycle or you may not be able to print.
Marked CAUTION by the manufacturer Source: Adjusting Print Quality: Cleaning the Print Head Using the Product Control Panel, p. 167
- Press the start button. The power light flashes during the cleaning cycle and stays on when it finishes, and a nozzle pattern prints.
- Check the pattern for gaps. If there are no gaps, select No and press the OK button.
- If there are gaps or the pattern is faint, select Yes, press the OK button and follow the screen instructions to clean again.
- If almost the entire pattern is missing, select No, press the OK button and run a Power Cleaning. See Run a Power Cleaning from the control panel.
The print head cannot be cleaned when the ink level has reached the lower line on a tank, and may not be cleanable when any tank is low. Refill first. If cleaning up to 3 times brings no improvement, turn the product off and wait at least 12 hours before checking the nozzles and cleaning again.
Source: Adjusting Print Quality: Cleaning the Print Head Using the Product Control Panel Source: Adjusting Print Quality: Cleaning the Print Head Using the Product Control Panel, pp. 161, 166-169
Other ET-2850 procedures
- How to run a nozzle check from the control panelWhen printouts are light or banded, to see whether the print head nozzles are clogged before cleaning.
- How to run a Power Cleaning from the control panelWhen white or dark lines or missing nozzles remain after cleaning the print head several times.
- How to align the print head from the control panelWhen printouts are grainy or blurry, vertical lines are misaligned, or dark or light horizontal bands appear.
- How to refill the ink tanksWhen the ink level is below the lower line on a tank. Fill the tank to the upper line.
- How to reset the ink levels when the LCD asks for itWhen the LCD screen prompts you to reset the ink levels. The message can appear even when ink remains in the tanks.
- How to clear a paper jam inside the productWhen the LCD screen reports paper jammed inside the product, including (W-01).
- How to clear a paper jam in the rear coverWhen the LCD screen reports paper jammed in the rear cover.
- How to run a product checkTo find out whether the product itself is working when printing from a computer fails.
- How to restore control panel settings to their defaultsWhen a control panel, network, copy or scan setting causes a problem.
Sources
- User's Guide, ET-2850. Epson America, Inc. Document CPD-60206, revision CPD-60206R1, 259 pages, en-US. files.support.epson.com (PDF). Listed on the manufacturer's support page. Retrieved 13 November 2026.
Page numbers are the numbers printed in the manual. Where this page and the manual differ, follow the manual.