Automatically Checking and Cleaning the Print Head

The Auto Nozzle Check and Cleaning utility prints a nozzle check pattern that the printer then reads to see if you have any clogged nozzles. If cleaning is needed, the printer automatically cleans the print head.

1.Make sure the printer is turned on but not printing, and the red H ink light is off. (If the H ink light is flashing or on, you need to replace a cartridge; see page 82.)

2.Load several sheets of plain, letter-size paper in the printer’s sheet feeder.

3.Do one of the following:

Windows: Right-click the icon on your taskbar (in the lower right corner of your screen). Select Auto Head Cleaning.

Note: If the icon does not appear, click Start > Printer (and Faxes), right-click on EPSON Stylus Photo R2400, and select Printing Preferences. Select the Maintenance tab and click Auto Nozzle Check and Cleaning.

Mac OS X: Open the Applications folder and select EPSON Printer Utility. Select SP R2400, click OK, and select Auto Nozzle Check and Cleaning.

4.Follow the instructions on the screen. The printer prints and examines the nozzle check pattern shown below. If cleaning is necessary, it then cleans the print head and prints and checks another nozzle check pattern.

5.The utility prints and checks up to five times. If some print head nozzles are still clogged, it displays an on-screen message telling you to manually clean the print head. Follow the instructions on page 81 to clean the print head, if necessary.

If you still have print quality problems, check the solutions beginning on page 99. You can also turn the printer off and wait overnight—this allows any dried ink to soften—and then try cleaning the print head again.

80 Maintaining Your Printer