How To Reset Epson Waste Ink Pad Error [patched] Jun 2026

You can reset this counter yourself using third-party utilities. The most widely used tools are WIC Reset Utility and InkChip .

According to printer technicians, the printer shuts down to prevent potential ink spillage into critical circuitry, which could cause permanent hardware damage or even electrical hazards. Usually, your printer's waste ink pad is about 40% to 80% full when the error first appears. After the initial warning, you may only be able to print around 20 more pages before the printer completely refuses to function.

Connect your printer to a Windows PC via a (Wi-Fi or Ethernet often won't work for this process).

Remove the retaining screw and gently pry out the plastic frame housing the ink-soaked cotton pads using a flathead screwdriver. how to reset epson waste ink pad error

Before attempting an electronic reset, it is vital to understand the condition of the physical pads. If you reset the electronic counter multiple times without addressing the physical ink buildup, the pads will eventually oversaturate, leading to permanent stains on your desk or damage to the internal electronics of the printer.

Download and install the program on a Windows computer (Mac support is highly limited for this specific utility).

Once the electronics are reset, you should address the physical pads to prevent messy leaks. You have two choices: replace them completely or wash them. How to Replace the Pad Assembly You can reset this counter yourself using third-party

To reset the "waste ink pad" error (often called the "Service Required" error) on an Epson printer , you must use software to reset the internal counter to 0% and, ideally, replace the physical ink pads to prevent leaks.

Click the "Reset" button to clear the waste ink pad counter. After the reset completes, power the printer off, wait approximately 10 seconds, then turn it back on. Your printer should now function normally.

Epson printers use an internal (also called a maintenance box or absorption pad) to collect excess ink used during cleaning cycles and borderless printing. When this pad reaches a predetermined capacity, the printer displays an error message such as "Service Required," "Parts inside your printer are at the end of their service life," or a specific error code (e.g., EEPROM error, 0x69, 0x9A ). This error halts all printing functions. Usually, your printer's waste ink pad is about

Some older Epson printers, such as the Epson 2200 and 2100, support manual button sequences to reset the waste ink counter without any software.

Epson printers use a built-in counter to estimate when the internal sponges (waste ink pads) are saturated with ink from cleaning cycles.

Click Read waste counters to confirm they are at 100%. Reset: Click Reset waste counters .