Stylus Pro 3800 - fails to print

My Pro 3800 was recently re-connected to my main computer. It wouldn't print. I re-loaded newer drivers, re-booted everything and while it will print a test sheet fine, when I try to print a photo, it gets to the printing screen, pointer moves about one quarter of the way across and then it just sits there. I can't get it past this point to save my life. Help! I need to get some printing done and it's never a sure thing with this printer!

Is there any chance you have an external drive hooked up with lots of storage on it? Just wondering because whenever I have my external drive plugged in which has many many GB of photos on it - my printer will stop in the middle of printing and refuse to budge.

It took me awhile to figure out what the problem was but I realized if I not only ejected but completely unplugged my external drive the printer would start printing again.

Probably not likely this is the problem you are having but I would be remiss not to mention it.

Good luck finding the solution.

not all USB-ports, specifically USB hubs only powered via the USB connection are able to supply correct and enough power to external disk drives, and not all external disk drives stick to the current limits of USB ports and demand more for their operation, that may work in one instance, but not reliably on another USB port. And those current limits are different for USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports, and different again for USB ports on notebooks. It's all compatible until you plug it together. For a reliable operation of an external 2.5" disk I recommend to use an USB hub with a separate and external power supply, and I would not make connection as long as something important - like printing - moves over that USB connection at the same time, you may have start-up current peaks etc

Well, I totally don't understand why, but when I turned off my external USB hard drive (a big one filled with a lot of photos), the printer started working again! Its a miracle! Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it. Go figure.

annel said:

Is there any chance you have an external drive hooked up with lots of storage on it? Just wondering because whenever I have my external drive plugged in which has many many GB of photos on it - my printer will stop in the middle of printing and refuse to budge.

It took me awhile to figure out what the problem was but I realized if I not only ejected but completely unplugged my external drive the printer would start printing again.

Probably not likely this is the problem you are having but I would be remiss not to mention it.

Good luck finding the solution.

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Hi Im a new member, not sure what the protocol is, Ive joined up to try and find out how to fix my printer !!
I have a Epson STYLUS PRO 3800 and it dosent print black properly, I think that maybe the print head is blocked, I tried cleaning it with alcohol and J-cloths as seen on you tube but it hasent solved it, any clues would be helpful.
Cheers !!

Crowbotix, what I do to mine is flood the capping station with head cleaner and blot until it is almost white again. Then food it and let it sit with the head parked on it overnight. The fumes of the head cleaner seem to soften overnight and they begin squirting again. I got some of the strongest cleaner and bought a couple of 16 ounce bottles of it. Should last a few years. They sell a lubricant variety for the rubber seal around the capping station and rubber wiper, but I've used glycerin too on a Q-tip. I cut a Q-tip in half and stick the shaft in a long piece of brass tubing from the hobby shop for a handle, then flick it out once dirty and put in a new tip.

http://www.americaninkjetsystems2.com/store1/cleaning_fluid_for_all_inkjet_printers.html

Sometimes when you change between the PK and MK blacks, the problem arises too. If you get daring, you can disassemble the machine and flush the valve with cleaner once you separate it from the head, exercise it, and it might start operating again - maybe. I've done it, but it took me about three days and a lot of notes to get it apart and back together again. I might be able to do it in a day now after the first tear-down. You can find the service manuals online to take the printer apart, and take a lot of photos too!

Good luck.

CROWBOTIX said:

Hi Im a new member, not sure what the protocol is, Ive joined up to try and find out how to fix my printer !!
I have a Epson STYLUS PRO 3800 and it dosent print black properly, I think that maybe the print head is blocked, I tried cleaning it with alcohol and J-cloths as seen on you tube but it hasent solved it, any clues would be helpful.
Cheers !!

Click to expand...

Please post an image of your nozzle check so we can see what you are describing.