close
How to Hardware

The Epson Stylus Photo and Artisan 50 Printer General Error Solution

 Epson Artisan and Epson Photo General Error problem

When the general error occurs, upon turning on the printer. The ink button and the paper button blinks (red blink) simultaneously while the power button is off. Don’t be confused to the alternate red blinking! The alternate red blinking is different problem and can be fix without getting your hands dirty.

To be sure if the problem is General Error and not the End of Service life error (the resetting of Epson Counter using the utility of Epson) . Turn on the computer where the Epson 6 colors printer is connected and print one copy of documents or a test print.

The status monitor will display one of the following:

Status Monitor (Software) – Printer Buttons Hardware

  • General Error – Red light of paper button and ink button blinking simultaneously. Power button is off
  • Near end of Service life – Power on button lights green and continue printing. Paper button and ink button is off
  • End of service life – Red light of paper button and ink button blinking alternately – Power on Button is off
  • One or two out of 6 colors Mark with X
      • Original Epson  Cartridge – means  the printer is out of ink
      • Manual Reset CIS – need to push the reset button up to  10 seconds
    • Automatic Reset CIS – turn off printer and turn on again
    • DVD tray open – Power on lights green while paper button and ink button alternately blinking
    • Paper Jam – turn off the printer and turn on again
    • CIS Hose – Hose too long or touching the metal

Causes and Solution General Error problem

The cause of this error are:

1. Paper Sensor

It is located besides printer head. You can access this area by completely disassembling the whole printer.

Problem

    • the sensor is full of dirt or dust
    • the sensor is soak with ink
    • dust blocked the sensor

Solution

    • Disassemble and Remove the Sensor inside the printer
    • Clean  using tissue or cloth
    • Rinse the with tap water and blow dry it
    • clean the end of the ribbon connected to sensor
    • Replace the Sensor

broken plastic connector Fade rubber loose spring loose spring1

2. The Belt

 it is located around|back of the printer head, where we put the paper. the responsible of holding and moving the head from left to right and back and forth.

Problem

  • The belt might cut

Solution

    • Replace the paper feeder or fix it
    • Replace the belt

Before replacing the belt. Double check if the paper feeder of the said printer is working properly. The  reason why the belt is cut because it wants to feed the paper but it can’t get it.

Additional Tips: Don’t remove the printer head if there is no trouble you’ve encounter , removing the printer head of this printer is so sensitive. One mistake of pulling and reinserting the 6 colors printer head cable makes your printer entirely useless

This General Error Problem applies to the following Epson Stylus Photo Printer Model:

  • Epson Stylus Photo T60
  • Epson Stylus Photo R290
  • Epson Stylus Photo R285
  • Epson Stylus Photo R280
  • Epson Stylus Photo R270
  • Epson Stylus Photo P50
  • Epson Artisan 50
  • Epson Stylus Photo R260

The indicated printer above have almost the same specifications and the almost same parts such as number of cartridges, location of sensor, type of belt and so on.  If ever if you have spare printer need to some repair, you can use their parts.

Tags : Epson Printer RepairEpson T60 ErrorGeneral Error