Epson ET-8550 how to clean the print head from the control panel
When the nozzle check pattern has gaps. The print head may not be cleanable when an ink tank is low; refill first.
Steps
- Make sure there are no errors on the LCD screen and the CD/DVD tray is not inserted for printing.
- Load a few sheets of plain paper in Cassette 2 (lower).
- Select the home icon, if necessary.
CAUTION
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. 236
- Select Maintenance > Print Head Cleaning, then select Start. The power light flashes during the cleaning cycle and stays on when it finishes, and a nozzle pattern prints.
- If there are no gaps in the pattern, select O.
- If there are gaps or the pattern is faint, select X and follow the screen instructions to clean 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. 236-237
Other ET-8550 procedures
- How to refill an ink tankWhen the ink level is below the lower line on a tank. Fill the tank to the upper line.
- 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 clear a paper jam in the paper cassettesWhen the LCD screen reports paper jammed in a paper cassette.
- How to clear a paper jam inside the productWhen the LCD screen reports paper jammed inside the product.
- 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.
Sources
- User's Guide, ET-8500/ET-8550. Epson America, Inc. Document CPD-59879, revision CPD-59879R1, 346 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.