Ink Out / No Ink Detected
Epson Inkjet Printer
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
Epson 'Ink Out' means one or more ink cartridges is empty or not being detected. Epson uses a chip on each cartridge to track ink levels — replacing with a genuine Epson cartridge resolves detection errors. If the cartridge is new but still not detected, the chip may need reseating.
Affected Models
- Epson Expression series
- Epson WorkForce series
- Epson XP series
- Epson Stylus series
Common Causes
- Ink cartridge genuinely empty — needs replacement
- New cartridge chip not making good contact with the printer
- Non-genuine cartridge with an incompatible or unreadable chip
- Cartridge not inserted fully — not clicked into place
- Ink level tracking error — printer thinks cartridge is empty when it is not
- Protective tape not removed from new cartridge
How to Fix It
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Check and remove the protective tape from new cartridges.
New Epson cartridges have a yellow protective tape covering the ink nozzles. This tape must be removed before installation — but do not remove the protective cap or touch the nozzles. Pull the tape tab straight out (not upward) before inserting the cartridge. Leaving the tape on causes an 'ink out' error because no ink can flow.
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Remove and reinsert the cartridge firmly.
Open the cartridge access cover while the printer is on. Remove the cartridge and reinsert it firmly until it clicks into place. A cartridge that is not fully clicked does not make good electrical contact with the chip reader. Close the cover and wait 30 seconds for the printer to register the cartridge.
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Clean the cartridge chip contacts.
Remove the cartridge. Using a dry cotton swab, gently wipe the gold chip on the side of the cartridge. Also gently clean the corresponding contacts inside the printer's cartridge bay. Reinsert and check if the cartridge is now detected.
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Override the ink low warning (for partially-used cartridges).
Epson printers stop at 'Ink Out' even if a small amount of ink remains. You can often override this by pressing OK or Continue on the printer when the error appears. The printer will print a limited number of additional pages before stopping completely. This is useful for finishing an urgent print job.
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Replace non-genuine cartridges.
Third-party or refilled cartridges often have chips that Epson printers cannot read correctly. Epson printers are programmed to flag unrecognised chips as empty or incompatible. Genuine Epson cartridges have correctly coded chips and are recognised immediately. If you prefer to use third-party ink, EcoTank (refillable ink tank) models eliminate cartridge chip issues entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Epson say ink out when I just put in a new cartridge?
The most common reasons are: the protective yellow tape was not removed from the cartridge, the cartridge was not clicked in fully, or a third-party cartridge chip is not being recognised. Remove the cartridge and check for the tape. Reinsert firmly until you hear a click. If using third-party cartridges, try a genuine Epson cartridge to confirm whether the chip is the issue.