My printer will only print bright pink when copying a picture. It will not print black when printing from the computer. Do you have any suggestions??? My Epson is NOT printing black ink. I’ve done all of the maintenance things: nozzle check; head cleaning; print head alignment, etc. SEVERAL times. It also will not copy in black (so I feel it is a printer problem and not a computer problem). I have replaced the black cartridge this a.m. even though my old cartridge was over half full and still no luck. Unfortunately, it is a couple of years old so I don’t have any service warranty on it. This is an Epson Stylus CX5400 printer.

Linda Sundberg, February 2006

It sounds more to me like your print head is choked up. If you use compatible carts this is more likely.

There is a hose that runs from the pump cap to the waste ink pads in the base, and if this cloggs up (again more likely with compatible carts) no vacuum can be formed to pull ink through to the pads or clean the head.

If needed you can get a service manual from www.TheServiceManualShop.com

Mike Burton, September 2006

Hello,
Check out www.fixyourownprinter.com
There is a problem with the CX5400, a hose clogs or becomes disconnected. This seems to happen after it's about 2 years old.

Jim, March 2006