Poxy thing!  I'm trying to print off some stuff from word, but for smoe reason my black cartridge is refusing to work.  It's almost full (only bought it in December and only printed one document since then), as is the colour (which is working perfectly).

I've tried cleaning the heads on the cartridges (lost count how many times now), the nozzle check option says it's fine, there's no indication of a problem anywhere - except on my blank sheets of paper!  The most I can get out of it is two 1mm black lines when I print a nozzle check pattern, next to the perfect colour blocks :rolleyes:  I've even tried putting a drop of water onto the nozzle and leaving it for a minute then dabbing it off.  That's what made it print two black lines, before that there was absolutely nothing.

Anyone got any ideas?  The printer is an Epson Stylus photo 830, the cartridges are generic ones (can't afford the model-specific ones).  I've never had this trouble before, and I've always used generic cartridges.

We had an epsom colour stylus 6.... something or other!!! :rolleyes: We had the same problems with ours and I usually just ended up replacing the cartridge :rolleyes:(even though like you it had only been used a couple of times).

Finally gave up and as we needed a new digital camera we found one that included a printer as part of a package!!!  Sorry not really much help am I??  Hopefully someone will come along soon with more practical advice! :D :D

I've got an Epson colour printer although I think its the 700 series but I had a problem recently with my colour cartridge.  No colour printing out at all even though I know the cartridge wasn't fully used up as it was a fairly new one.  However, cleaning etc did nothing and I wasn't getting any colour at all on test print.  Put in a new colour cartridge and away it goes.  Either a leaky cartridge on the old one or a duff one.  Try putting in a new cartridge and see if it works.  Keep the old one and it might work if you use it next time.  Hopeless advice I know :rolleyes: not very techie.

CG

I have had this with an epsom and a HP grrrrr but as i didnt use mine too often (usually for printing directions off the AA days b4 satnav :D ) i just presumed the black ink had clogged up,i ended up just printing everything off in red :D           I found this link......http://forums.vnunet.com/message.jspa?messageID=730820 if that helps :)

The generic cartridges are the problem I suspect. I used them once in my Epson R800 and they bunged up after a few prints. Try rubbing the cartridge head with a drop of alcohol (meths if you have it, spirits will do if you don't). But you will probably have to replace the cartridge.

my son works for Epson uk LTD and i have asked him to have a look at this subject, he has said the worse thing you can do to your printer is use none genuine ink cartridges, as for putting a drop of water on the nozzle this is a big no no! the average life for a printer is about 4 years so if the printer is close to this age or older think about getting a new one the R360 is very good model with very low running cost the ink cartridges are £6.99. If this does not help try calling customer support on 08704437766. hope this helps

> as for putting a drop of water on the nozzle this is a big no no!

lol!  of course :)

I think I'll try a new cartridge first - as the colour one is working perfectly I'm not about to go out and get a new printer, can't afford it anyway given recent vet bills and more bills to come.

I had a epson stylus colour 900 used originals but on the one occassion i tried compatablies it did the same as yours but i could not get any ink on the paper even the colour. Cleaned it and replaced cartridges but no good. Phoned the technical helpline and they said it needed a new print head and was not worth doing as the cost would of been too much compared to buying a new one. Luckilly I had took out warrenty when i brought it and it was 2 1/2 years old and the warrenty was for 3 years. Took it back to the shop and they swapped it for a another with simular specs. They offered another warrenty and i paid £20 for a another 3 years Might aswell buy a new one with warrenty. Well worth it seeing i got a brand new printer and it's better than my old one.