HELP! What is wrong with my Epson Stylus CX4800 All-in-One Printer/Scanner?

Question

For some reason my printer/scanner is acting really strange. It won't print or scan. What's even more unusual is the fact that a printing error box doesn't even appear on my screen.

Once I turn it on, these three lights are on. Not flashing, but just on:

1. The On-button light.

2. The Ink light (even though there is still plenty of ink in the cartridges).

3. In the box where you indicate the number of copies you want to make, there is a "1".

4. The Photo Paper light.

5. The "Letter" light.

6. The "Fit to Page" light.

When I try to print files, the files are sent to the printing queue, and its status says that it is printing, but NOTHING IS HAPPENING!

Someone please help. I've tried several times to contact Customer Support, but for some reason my calls are just not getting through..

Thanks so much in advanced!

Answer 1

It sounds like the ink tank beneath the printer where the excess ink collects is full. This happens to all inkjets over time. Cleaning out is a huge and messy task. You are probably best off replacing it. Fortunately there are some great deals out there. Here are a few:

Lasers have sharper text and are generally faster than inkjets. While toner cartridges are more expensive than ink, they print more pages, so the cost per page is lower. But you pay more up front. Inkjets are better for photos and cheaper for low volume. Personally, I use both.

You can get a good color laser today for $80! Samsung CLP-300 at http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/p...

I have this printer and it's really nice. Toner cartridges are more expensive then inkjet cartridges ($70 for a set of 4 at http://ccs-digital.com/ink.asp ) but they last for about 2,000 pages.It does a nice job on photos, but an inkjet is still better for this.

Inkjet: As someone who was in the computer hardware business for years (though I rarely sold printers since I couldn't compete with the crazy rebates) I have always recommended Epson. The print quality is excellent, even on plain paper. I have photos I printed on a 640 about ten years ago hanging in my office which still look good, though not as good as the ones from the CX8400 on glossy paper. The warranty is excellent. For a year, Epson will express-ship a replacement and pick up the old one. I had one customer who needed this. He called one afternoon and had the replacement two days later. Another client bought a Canon. It needed two repairs within a few months. Each time it was taken to the repair center, then picked up a few days later. This client runs a specialty printing business and this really hurt. They have since bought an Epson CX5000 and have had no down time since.

All name brand ink is expensive, but you can get cheap new replacement cartridges for Epson (not refills which I never recommend) for under $5 at http://ccs-digital.com/ink.asp   I have been using these for years.

The C120 (printer only - no scanner) is on sale at Ritz Camera free after rebate but you must also buy a digital camera. The cheapest is $15. With $7 shipping you pay $22 for printer and camera.  It uses 3 colors and 2 of the SAME black cartridge.

http://www.cheapstingybargains.com/55740...

A set of 5 cartridges are $25 at http://ccs-digital.com/ink.asp

The RX595 scanner/copier/printer also prints on DVDs. It uses 5 colors plus black and has even higher photo quality. You can get it at Ritz Camera for $45 after rebate with digital camera. The printer is $130. The cheapest camera is $15 bringing the total to $145. Then there is $100 rebate and free shipping, bringing the final cost to $45. http://www.ritzcamera.com/webapp/wcs/sto...

Answer 2

First form feed some paper through. Turn off Hold the form feed button turn on should print a test page. Does that work? If that does work reinstall the software.  If the ink light is on reinstall the ink cartridge It thinks its empty!

http://files.support.epson.com/htmldocs/...

Answer 3

I had the same printer and the same exact thing happened so i just bought a new one

Answer 4

Go to this website and select Trouble shooting:

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/suppo...

It will ask you step-by-step about the lights, erros, etc. If no answer can be found, it will link you to e-mail for customer support. I have found this is the best way to get a problem resolved. It saves all the information you stored in the trouble shooting section and asks you to expalin more in detail. Talking to the people doesn't seem to help.