Printers · Repair guide

How to fix an Epson printer that is not working

9 fixes, easiest first4 min readUpdated November 2026

Quick fix

Print a nozzle check from the printer to confirm it works on its own, then clear the Epson print queue and make sure Use Printer Offline is not checked. If it still will not print over Wi-Fi, restart the router and computer, then reinstall the Epson Drivers and Utilities Combo Package.

What it means

Most Epson printer problems are a lost network connection, a stuck job in the Epson print queue, Windows holding jobs because the printer is set offline, or ink cartridges the printer does not recognize. Epson's own tools include a nozzle check you can print without a computer, Epson Scan 2 Utility for scanning, the Epson Smart Panel app and the Drivers and Utilities Combo Package.

Common causes

  • The printer lost its Wi-Fi connection or is on a different network
  • A stuck job in the print queue
  • Use Printer Offline is turned on in Windows
  • An error on the printer, such as a paper or ink problem
  • Ink cartridges the printer does not recognize
  • Outdated or broken Epson driver or scan software

How to fix it

Work down the list. Each fix is safe to try before moving on to the next.

01Print a nozzle check from the printerEasy

  1. Load plain paper.
  2. Print a nozzle check pattern from the printer's control panel. The exact buttons differ by model and are listed in your printer's manual.
  3. If the pattern prints, the printer itself works and the problem is the connection or the computer.
  4. If it does not print, clear any error shown on the printer and try again.

Why it helps: A nozzle check prints without a computer, so it shows whether the printer itself can print.

02Restart the router and computerEasy

  1. Check the Wi-Fi light or icon on the printer to see if it is connected.
  2. If it is connected, unplug the router, wait a short time, plug it back in and wait until the internet works.
  3. Try printing. If it still fails, restart the computer and try again.
  4. Make sure the computer is on the same Wi-Fi network as the printer.

Why it helps: Epson's offline steps start with restarting the network before changing any software.

03Clear the Epson print queue and turn off Use Printer OfflineEasy

  1. Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select your Epson printer and select Open print queue.
  2. Select ... and choose Cancel all to delete any stuck jobs.
  3. If the print queue window has a Printer menu at the top, open it and remove any check mark from Use Printer Offline and Pause Printing.
  4. Try printing again.

Why it helps: Epson says to delete stuck jobs and clear Use Printer Offline in the print queue when Windows shows the printer as offline.

04Set the Epson printer as defaultEasy

  1. Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
  2. Select your Epson printer and select Set as default.
  3. If that is missing, turn off Let Windows manage my default printer, then try again.

Why it helps: Jobs may be going to a different printer or an old copy of the Epson printer.

05Check the printer with the Epson Smart Panel appEasy

  1. Install Epson Smart Panel on an iPhone, iPad or Android phone.
  2. Add your printer and check it is found on the network.
  3. Use the app's troubleshooting tips for any problem it shows.
  4. If the phone can print but the computer cannot, the problem is on the computer.

Why it helps: Epson Smart Panel can set up, monitor and troubleshoot supported Epson printers from a phone.

06If ink is not recognized, reseat the cartridgesEasy

  1. Keep the printer on so the print head moves into reach, and follow the cartridge steps shown on the printer's screen.
  2. Do not move the print head by hand, and do not touch the flat white cable or the metal bar inside the printer.
  3. Remove each cartridge and push it back in until it clicks. Do not remove labels or seals from the cartridge.
  4. Close the cover and let the printer finish charging the ink. Do not turn it off during this time.
  5. Epson says some printers work only with genuine Epson cartridges, even if others are sold as compatible.

Why it helps: A cartridge that is not clicked in, or one the printer cannot verify, stops printing.

07If scanning does not work, check Epson Scan 2 UtilityEasy

  1. Make sure the printer is on and the cable is plugged straight into the computer, not a USB hub.
  2. Open Epson Scan 2 Utility. On Windows it is in the EPSON folder on the Start menu; on a Mac it is in Applications > Epson Software.
  3. Make sure your printer is selected and test the connection.
  4. If needed, open the Other tab and select Reset.
  5. Over Wi-Fi, try a lower scan resolution if you get a communication error.

Why it helps: Epson Scan 2 must point to the right printer before it can start.

08Reinstall the Epson softwareMedium

  1. Turn off the printer and unplug any USB or network cable.
  2. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find the Epson printer driver and Epson software, select More options (...) and choose Uninstall.
  3. If you have more than one version of Epson Scan 2, uninstall all of them.
  4. Restart the router and the computer.
  5. Download the Drivers and Utilities Combo Package from the Downloads tab on the support page for your exact model, then install it and follow the setup steps.
  6. If your security software blocks setup, you can turn its firewall off briefly during setup only, then turn it back on right after.

Why it helps: A clean install replaces driver and scan software that are broken or left over from an older system.

09Reset the printer's network settings and set up Wi-Fi againAdvancedResets settings

  1. Warning: this erases the printer's Wi-Fi settings, so you will need your Wi-Fi name and password to set it up again.
  2. Find the network reset instructions for your exact model on Epson's support site or in the manual. Do not guess, as the steps differ by model.
  3. After the reset, connect the printer to Wi-Fi again using the installer from the Combo Package or the Epson Smart Panel app.
  4. Print a test page.

Why it helps: Epson recommends a network reset and fresh setup when the printer will not stay connected after the other fixes.

Check it's fixed

  • The Epson printer shows as ready, not offline, in Printers & scanners.
  • A nozzle check and a test document both print correctly.
  • Epson Scan 2 opens and scans a page.

When to get help

If the nozzle check will not print after clearing every error on the printer, or genuine Epson cartridges are still not recognized, contact Epson support with your model and serial number.

Questions

Why is my Epson printer offline in Windows 11?

Usually the printer lost Wi-Fi, a job is stuck, or Use Printer Offline is checked in the print queue. Clear the queue, uncheck that setting and restart the router and computer.

Why is my Epson printing blank pages?

Blank pages usually point to clogged nozzles or an ink problem. Print a nozzle check and see the blank pages guide on this site.

Which Epson software do I need?

Epson suggests the Drivers and Utilities Combo Package from your model's Downloads tab. On phones, Epson Smart Panel handles setup, printing and scanning.

Can I use non-Epson ink?

Epson says some of its printers work only with genuine Epson cartridges, and others may not work properly even if described as compatible.

Related fixes

How to fix a printer that says offlineTurn the printer off, unplug it for 30 seconds, then turn it back on and restart your computer and router. Make sure the printer and computeHow to fix a printer printing blank pagesCheck the ink or toner level, and if you just installed new ink, make sure all protective tape and film is removed and the cartridge clicks How to fix a printer that won't connect to Wi-FiRestart the printer and router, move the printer closer to the router, then run the wireless setup on the printer and pick your network and How to fix a printer that is not recognizing an ink cartridgeCheck that the cartridge number matches your printer, remove all packaging and tape, then take the cartridge out and push it back in slowly How to fix a scanner that is not workingRestart the scanner and computer, make sure they are connected by a direct USB cable or to the same Wi-Fi network, then check that the scann

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