Just like every other piece of technology, printers have a service life, which they will inevitably reach the end of. Today I’ll be going over how to delay this eventuality and explaining the number one best way to extend your Epson printer’s service life. Specifically, we’ll install a waste ink tank that will divert the waste ink into an external collection bottle rather than the waste ink pads built into the printer.

If you don’t replace your Epson printer’s waste ink pads with an external collection system, they will get full quickly, and then the printer will give you an error message saying that a part inside your printer has reached the end of its service life. If you have not yet received this message, use this method immediately to install an external waste ink collection system.

If you have received this message, on the other hand, there’s one additional step you’ll need to take before getting started. It’s not too difficult, though. Go to my website, BCHTechnologies.com, and enter the phrase “MN-EP-WASTE1” into the search bar. That will take you to a page with a free download of an Epson Waste Ink Pad Reset. Alternatively, you could click this link, which will take you there directly.

Let’s Get Started

To complete this process, you will need a pair of gloves, a Phillips screwdriver, and an external waste ink tank kit (which you can also get from BCHTechnologies.com). For a visual demonstration, you can feel free to watch this video that I made regarding this process on my YouTube channel. For the example in the demonstration video, I went through this process on an Epson 1430 model printer, which is the same process as it would be on the 1500 W model. Older models will require a slightly different approach to remove the side panel.

Start by removing the front panel by pressing the panel to the right. Next, carefully pull that right panel toward you. Move to the back of the printer. There are three screws we’ll need to remove, which are located near the bottom of the back panel. You don’t need to remove the back panel entirely; you only need to move it enough to get the side panel off.

Return to the Front of the Printer

Here, you can see three plastic tabs holding the side panel in place. You can use a screwdriver to loosen these tabs and lift the side panel. You should be able to view the printer’s waste ink pad assembly.

Locate the metal clamp and slide it up to remove the tube from the waste ink assembly. Older printer models will have a connector on the tube. You could use this to attach it to the external waste ink tank. The ink tubes on newer models have a smaller diameter, so you can simply slip the end of it into the waste ink tank. Use the cable included in the external waste ink kit to secure the tube in place.

When the tube has been adequately secured, leave the side panel as is. Closing it will just provide more obstacles. Cut the ink tube to a shorter length. Set the external waste ink tank beside the printer or route the ink tube inside the printer and have it come out of the USB opening if you only plan to connect your devices to your printer wirelessly from now on. Insert the end of the tube into the waste ink tank, and you should be good to go.

When the external waste ink tank becomes full, remove the tube and empty it into a sink or other drain. Reinsert the tube and proceed with printing.

I hope this blog helped! For more DIY printer tips and tricks, follow me on YouTube at Kevin at BCH. Happy printing!