EPSON STYLUS C88 BLACK OEM INK CARTRIDGE

The red droplet shaped indicator light seen on the casing of the Epson Stylus C88+ will blink on and off when one or more of the black, cyan, magenta, and yellow ink cartridges is running low on ink. When the light stays on, this means that at least one of the cartridges needs to be replaced.

The only way to tell which particular cartridge needs replacement without beginning the replacement process is by looking at your computer screen where a message will appear regarding the empty cartridge. Occasionally cartridges that are not completely empty will need to be replaced due to the age of a cartridge. Usually after about six months a cartridge will need to be replaced even if it is not completely empty.

NOTE: If even one of the cartridges is completely empty the printer will cease to operate.

Do not remove the label from a new ink cartridge or the ink will leak from it. To remove the old cartridge or cartridges, begin with the printer ON (the green power light should be lit). Open the printer and press the droplet shaped INK button. This will cause the cartridge holder to move into position. Note that the cartridge that requires replacement will move itself into position under the slashed out droplet icon.

Press the ink button again and the printer will indicate if another cartridge needs to be replace by positioning it under the droplet icon. If not, then it will move the cartridges to their removal position. Open the cartridge cover to remove the cartridge(s). There are release tabs on the backs of the cartridges that need to be squeezed for removal.

Shake new cartridges a few times before removing them from their packaging. Once unpacked, simply snap them into their correct position inside the printer. To finish installation close the printer cover and press the ink button once again. The printer will then blink its green power button and charge the cartridge, which should take about half a minute.

It is not uncommon to see banding when printing black and white images. Banding is when light or completely white horizontal lines appear on a printed image. To solve the problem of banding, be sure that the media type setting matches the paper that is actually being used. If the setting is correct, then the print head probably needs to be cleaned.

If the Ink in the Epson Stylus C88+ has been used for longer than six months without replacement, it is possible that cleaning the print head will help it last longer than its intended expiration time.

To clean the print head, leave the printer on and be sure that no ink cartridges need immediate replacement. Go to your Windows screen and right click the printer icon, then select HEAD CLEANING and START. The green power light will flash for a while and when it is done it is best to print a nozzle check pattern, then make sure there are no gaps in the pattern. If there are, the cartridges probably need to be replaced.