How to Fix Common Printhead Issues on the Epson WF-3520 Printer

Question:
I recently performed maintenance on my Epson WF-3520 printer by removing the printhead and flushing it with distilled water. After drying it and reinstalling the printhead and cartridges, the printer still isn't printing. I’ve been using OEM pigment cartridges (T127 & T126), and the printer has sat idle for weeks before and after the cleaning. Should I prime the head with a solution? Should I run multiple head cleanings? Could a full ink maintenance box prevent cleaning cycles from working?
 
Answer:
Thank you for reaching out and reporting these specific observations! I'm sorry for not getting back to you sooner. From your note about the difficulties you have had with the printer, I know how frustrating these things can be—all you want is everything to work as it should! We recognize your contact and support. Your comments about our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) indicate that our assisted analysis or information closer to you is essential to improving our capacities in the area where we provide valuable help.
 
Based on what you’ve described, the flushing was a good first step, but some other steps might need to be taken to restore the function. Here’s how to fix that:
 
Prime the Printhead
Yes, priming the cleaning solution into the printhead will work great. Pigment ink can dry and harden in the nozzles over time, and it may not be fully cleared out by flushing alone. Obtain a commercial printhead cleaning solution and inject roughly 1 ml into each ink nipple. Let the solution sit overnight or overnight to dissolve stubborn blockages.
 
Run A Few Head Cleanings
After priming, run 2-3 head cleaning cycles from the printer menu. DO NOT run more than three cycles in a row, or you will overheat the printhead. If cleaning the nozzles a few times doesn’t fix the issue, leave the printer to sit for several hours and try cleaning them again.
 
Inspect and Replace the Ink Maintenance Box
The whole or almost complete ink maintenance box can prevent the printer from going through all cleaning cycles. If it hasn’t been recently replaced, consider replacing it with a new one. This will allow the cleaning cycles to run effectively by ensuring that the cleaning waste is well managed.
 
Address Idle Printer Issues
But printers left alone for a long time are vulnerable to air entering the ink channels, which can further clog the nozzles. If you run a small nozzle check or print a test page, for example, it may push ink through the system, dislodging any trapped air. The cleaning and priming steps repeat until the problem goes away.
 
OEM Cartridges: A Word of Caution
If your cartridges have been unused, shake them gently to mix them up and prevent pigment particles from settling at the bottom. Then, take care to reinstall them properly to allow ink to flow.
 
Additional Guidance:
Although troubleshooting printers can be tedious and manual, we are unfortunately unable to perform this type of remote troubleshooting service or repair. Instead, we provide an in-home repair and evaluation service through our local diagnostic center (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). We can only serve on a first-come-first-serve basis, and there may be a waiting time if there are many people with similar requests.
For Self-Help, check out our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies), which has videos on specific topics. Under the “About” section, use the search bar to determine the keyword you’ll enter. YouTube might also recommend helpful content from other creators to help fix your issue.
Thank you once more for contacting us and supporting BCH Technologies. Please tell us how these steps worked for you or if you have additional questions. We’re here to help!

Update:

Thank you, Kevin!

I followed your advice, and I'm back to printing! I used distilled water for priming and will need to run a few more cleanings once I get more ink. The colors are still a bit faint, but I can print text now—just not photos yet. I'll be placing an order for cleaning solution and ink soon, and I’m excited to try your aftermarket ink.

I truly appreciate your outstanding help. Thanks again!