poor quality colour prints

I'm using an Epson Stylus Photo 830 and when I noticed there was hardly any colour in my printouts I performed the nozzle check. This told me that I needed to clean the heads, I have done so but it hasn't made any difference. The ink level monitor shows there is plenty of ink left.
Grateful for any advice. Lorna.

 

Hi Iorna: I used to have this kind of trouble with a Cannon printer and it usually turned out to be the carriage you pop the ink cartridge in. After a couple of carriages at about $60. each, I junked it.

I have an HP printer and no experience with Epson, but, a couple of generic things:

Did you recheck the nozzels? Sometimes it takes a couple of cleanings to clear them out.

I'm not sure I'd trust the ink level reporting by the printer software. Mine keeps telling me my color ink level is low and I should buy another ink supply, but it's been doing that for months now and the machine just keeps printing in full color. Your printing symptoms sound like the color cartridge is empty. If you have a spare new cartridge, pop it in and see what happens.

If that doesn't help, go to Epson's web site and see if there are any new drivers for the 380. If so, make sure you find the correct ones for your operating system. Download and install them following the mfg directions. While your at their site, look for troubleshooting links for your printer, usually, you won't be the first to have this problem and there may be a posted solution, look in their troubleshooting FAQ's. Also, see if they have telephone support, sometimes company techs can solve the problem.

If no new drivers, try uninstalling and reinstalling the printer. (control panel, printers and faxes, right click the printer icon then click delete.) Shut down and re-start, Windows should find and re-install the printer. Have your installation CD handy in case Windows can't find the drivers. If Windows can't find the printer on restart, go back to square one and reinstall the printer like its a new one. If none of this works, see if you have warranty repair available.

Considering the cost of color cartridges, I hate to suggest to buy a new cartridge, 'cause if none of the above works, a new cartridge doesn't fix it and no warranty service available, as far as I know, the next step is to make reservations at the dump. But if you have to junk the printer and you are happy with the 380, you could buy another 380 or another Epson that uses the same cartridge and at least salvage the new cartridge.

Good Luck, and let us know what happens.

 

Thanks for all your suggestions, I've tried them all except replacing the cartridge and nothing's changed. I will buy a new cartridge tomorrow and see if that makes a difference. I'm not actually using a genuine Epson cartridge - perhaps I should do so in the future.

 

Well, I wouldn't be surprised then, I bought so called refill color cartridge for my HP and all it would print was blue. Hope the Epson cartridge works for you.

 

Hi Martin, just to let you know I replaced the cartridge today with a genuine Epson one and the printouts are fine again. So it seems the money I saved on the cartridge wasn't worth it as it didn't last very long. It just sickens me parting with £20 for one cartridge! Thanks for all your help, Lorna.

 

Lucky you, I just paid $59. for HP color cartridge!

Glad you solved your problem.