How to Unclog Your Epson EcoTank Printer

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If you’ve been experiencing issues with your sublimation printer getting clogged, you’re in the right place! In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process to unclog your Epson Ecotank printer and get it working like new.

Follow the process below one step at a time to get the best results. We love making sublimation projects and to get the best results, we know that it’s important to have our sublimation printer in tip-top condition.

New to sublimation? Check out this post to get started.

Top image of an Epson printer with screen showing Print Head Nozzle Check selected. Bottom left - white paper with colored stripes of ink on it from a printer test with Epson printer in background. Bottom right - Epson printer with paper on top of it. To the right is a stack of plain white paper. To the left is a paper with rectangles of bright magenta and yellow ink. Text Reads: How To Unclog Your Epson Ecotank Sublimation Printer, A Step by Step Guide from Makers Gonna Learn

Not getting the best results but you’ve fixed your printer? Check this out: How to fix dull sublimation

How to Unclog Your Epson Ecotank Sublimation Printer: A Step-by-Step Guide

a woman with long dark hair and a happy, excited look on her face is gesturing towards an Epson printer. Next to the printer are bottles of sublimation ink in cyan, magenta, and yellow

If you want to learn all the ins and outs of sublimation, be sure to check out our course Makers Gonna Sublimate! We will take you through it all step-by-step.

Why Does Your Sublimation Printer Get Clogged?

The number one reason for clogs in sublimation printers is lack of use. If you don’t print regularly, the ink can dry up and clog the print heads. To prevent this, it’s crucial to print at least once a week. Even if you don’t plan on pressing anything, printing a test page can help keep your printer in good shape. Sublimation prints can be stored for months in a moisture-free area and pressed later.

Step 1: Perform a Nozzle Check

Before attempting any fixes, start with a nozzle check to assess the extent of the clogging:

an Epson printer display screen. The Print Head Nozzle Check function is highlighted.

Navigate to your printer’s maintenance settings.
Select Print Head Nozzle Check.
Print the nozzle check on regular paper to avoid wasting sublimation paper.

an Epson printer display screen. In front of it is a test print showing printed lines in multiple colors.

Compare the print to see if all colors are printing correctly. If you notice missing lines or faded colors, move on to the next step.

an Epson printer display screen. On it you can see a broken line pattern on the left and a solid line pattern on the right. The screen says "Check the printed pattern and select the closer result".

Step 2: Run a Print Head Cleaning

If the nozzle check reveals clogging, perform a print head cleaning:

Follow the on-screen prompts to start the print head cleaning.
Allow the printer to complete the cleaning cycle (this takes about 3–4 minutes).
Print another nozzle check to see if there’s any improvement.

If the clog persists, continue with a purge page.

Step 3: Print a Purge Page

Canva screen showing vertical rectangles. Each is a different color - black, magenta, yellow, and cyan.

Canva screen showing vertical rectangles. Each is a different color - black, magenta, yellow, and cyan. Colors are being chosen and adjusted.

A purge page helps saturate the print heads with ink to dislodge any clogs. You can create one using Canva or any design software by making a full-page design with these colors:

Black: #000000
Magenta: #FF00FF
Yellow: #FFFF00
Cyan: #00FFFF

If only one color is clogged, create a purge page using just that color. Otherwise, print all four colors. Use your standard sublimation print settings:

Print Quality: Best or Fine
Paper Type: Matte Paper
Color Profile: Ensure correct sublimation settings are selected

an Epson printer display screen. The Print Head Nozzle Check function is highlighted. Some white paper is sitting on the printer and to the left of it is a printed sheet with 3 rectangles - one cyan, one yellow, and one magenta

Print the purge page and check if the clog is clearing up.

Step 4: Let the Printer Rest

If the issue persists:

Check ink levels and add more ink if needed.
Let the printer sit for 12–24 hours. This allows air bubbles in the ink lines to settle and ink to redistribute properly.

After waiting, run another nozzle check and, if necessary, another print head cleaning.

an Epson printer display screen. The Power Cleaning function is circled in yellow

Step 5: When to Consider a Power Cleaning

A power cleaning should be your last resort, as it can shorten the life of your printer. If you must perform one:

Ensure your ink tanks are at least two-thirds full before starting.
Follow the printer’s instructions for power cleaning.
Only run a power cleaning if all other methods have failed.

Final Tips for Maintaining Your Sublimation Printer

Print at least once a week to prevent clogs.
Store prints in a dry environment to preserve them for future use.
Use high-quality sublimation ink to minimize clogging issues.
Run purge pages periodically to keep the ink flowing properly.

By following these steps, you can keep your Epson Ecotank sublimation printer running smoothly and avoid frustrating clogs. If you’re interested in learning more about sublimation printing, check out our Makers Going to Sublimate course for a comprehensive guide from beginner to pro!