Epson is a printer brand that has some of the finest printers all around the world. These models are the benchmark of printing quality with printers that are a cut above the rest with their optimum performance and robust hardware, that only a few other brands can match. Even after being such a high-quality brand, customers have come across problems. One of the most common errors that Epson printers come across is the code 0x97 error. Although this issue is solvable, you will need to go through a step-by-step method to solve it.
What’s an Epson error code 0x97?
The first thing we need to know is what exactly a 0x97 error is. This problem is commonly experienced by users who have been using their printer for a long period of time. This type of error usually shows up without any warning or sign and once it does occur, it compromises the fundamental functions of your printer by disrupting a signal which turns your device on and off simultaneously. Long story short, you won’t be able to do any printing until you fix this problem. It’s time to get those troubleshooter gloves on and work out a solution!
The error is usually seen on your printer’s LED Screen and it happens while you’re printing, forcing your printer to shut down unexpectedly in the process. This error most commonly occurs on the Epson WF-3640 version.
What Causes This Issue?
This code is basically a type of warning which comes as a result of an internal hardware issue with the printer. It can be due to malfunctioning of its motherboard or with any other internal component. Once this error shows up on the screen, it is usually because some internal components of your printer aren’t functioning like they’re supposed to. Before you send your system to the repair shop, try using our troubleshooting methods which we shall be discussing below.
Troubleshooting Methods
Disconnection
The first thing that you could do is disconnect your entire system from the PC or laptop which you have it connected to. You need to cancel any print task and take out all paper jams from your printer at this point including any ink cartridges which are inside the printer. Remove all kinds of power attachments from the printer as well. This includes USB cords, cable wires, and power cords. Clean up any traces of ink inside the printer with a tissue if you see any.
The next thing you need to do is press and hold the power button of the printer down for one minute. Then plug everything back which you disconnected earlier. Connect the cable which attaches your laptop to your computer as well as reinstalling the ink cartridges that you removed. Following these steps carefully is a must. Push the power button and turn on the printer then conduct a test print. If the issue persists then move towards the second step of troubleshooting the printer.
Reset Your Printer
If the first method doesn’t work for you then you can look to reset your printer. This method is almost similar to the first one where you will need to disconnect all the cables from your printer and let your printer rest for about five minutes before you proceed. Press and hold the printer’s power button for a minute and hold the button until you connect everything back. You might need an extra pair of hands in this method. Press and hold the power button once more for a minute and then release. Since the printer has been reset then connecting it to your computer will also show it as a new device and it will have its drivers reinstalled on your Windows. If your PC asks for permission to allow drivers for this printer to be installed then simply click on Install and allow it.
Conduct another test print to see if the problem has been solved or not. If the problem persists then you may need to move on to the last method.
Clean the Print Head
The final method to fix the 0x97 error is to check whether the print head might be clogged. If this is the problem then the best solution would be to clean the print head thoroughly.
The first step is to remove each ink cartridge one by one from the print head. Place the ink cartridge on top of a clean paper towel. Then remove the print head from the printer.
In the next step, wipe the bottom of the print head thoroughly using a damp cloth dipped in warm water. Keep on cleaning the nozzle area until there is no more black ink sticking on the fabric.
After this, soak the print head in a bowl with warm water for not more than ten minutes. Do not use boiled water. Put clean paper towel at the base and let the print head rest above it while soaking. Take out the print head form the bowl and carefully wipe off any water and moisture using a dry lint-free cloth.
Finally, place the print head on top of a paper towel and allow it to air-dry for 15 minutes. Then, insert the print head back into its place and reinstall all the cartridges into their respective slots. Turn on your printer and see if there are any changes.
If the problem still persists then contact Epson’s customer support where they might guide you better on how to solve this issue.
