Problem with one of my P400 cartridges

InkjetMall Customer Support Printer Maintenance & Cartridges
1

I have an Epson P400. Today I topped off all carts and reset the chips. After running two head cleanings, I did a nozzle check that was perfect except for “PK” (which is matte black ink on the P400). “PK” was mostly blank on the nozzle check.

Since it had been a while since I had done a complete printer maintenance, I did one, including using the dummy cartridge and syringe with PiezoFlush on PK. I ran additional head cleanings, then a nozzle check. The PK nozzle check pattern was still bad. In fact, the nozzle check pattern had 50% gaps, then after a head cleaning, 100% gaps!

This leads me to suspect the problem is in the cartridge, not the print head. Perhaps the cartridge outlet is blocked. What do you think. Is there a procedure to unblock it?

I have an extra set of P400 carts. Should I replace the PK cart? Or is there a procedure I should try first that might fix the problem?

This is not a show-stopper since I only print digital negatives and PiezoDN does not use matte black ink. But I’m hoping to learn something in case this happens to one of my other inks.

2

Prime the P400 cartridge with a priming syringe or make sure to tap the cartridge on the edge of a table and let it sit a few minutes before placing it back into the printer. Also let it sit in the printer a few mins to settle before running a cleaning and nozzle check.

best,
Walker

3

I’m glad to hear that the priming tip can be used for this. It seemed like the logical solution for a blocked outlet, but the cartridge fill instructions explicitly say only to use it when you fill a cartridge for the first time. I’ll give it a try. Thanks!