Do I Still Need to Reset the Epson ET-2720 Waste Ink Counter After Installing an External Waste Ink Tank?

Question

I'm thinking about buying an Epson EcoTank printer, and I watched your video about fixing the Epson ET-2720 waste ink pad "end of life" message by installing an external waste ink tank. If I install the external waste ink bottle right after getting the printer, does that mean I will never need to reset the waste ink counter?

Answer

The short answer is: No, installing an external waste ink bottle does not mean you will never need to reset the waste ink counter. Even if you install the bottle trick immediately after receiving the Epson ET-2720, the printer will still eventually require an electronic waste ink counter reset.

The reason is that the printer does not physically measure how much ink is inside the waste ink pad or the external bottle. There is no sensor that checks the actual amount of waste ink collected. Instead, Epson printers estimate waste ink accumulation using an internal counter. That counter increases based on printer activity, such as printhead cleanings, ink charging, power cleanings, priming cycles, borderless printing, and other maintenance routines.

So even if the waste ink is being safely redirected into an external container instead of the internal pads, the printer's firmware still believes waste ink is accumulating internally. Once the counter reaches its programmed limit, the printer may stop working and display a waste ink error.

For the Epson ET-2720 and similar EcoTank models, this issue is often described as a waste ink pad "end of life" error or service required error. The exact wording can vary, but the printer is essentially saying that the waste ink pads are estimated to be full and that service is required. This is not always because the pads are physically overflowing. It is often because the internal waste ink counter has reached its limit.

Installing an external waste ink tank is still very useful. It helps prevent the internal waste ink pads from becoming saturated, which can reduce the risk of ink leaking inside the printer or making a mess underneath the machine. This is especially helpful if you do a lot of printhead cleanings, refill your printer frequently, use the printer for heavy workloads, or convert the printer for special uses such as sublimation, DTF-related workflows, or other ink systems.

However, the external bottle only solves the physical waste ink collection problem. It does not solve the electronic counter problem.

Think of the system as having two separate parts:

The first part is the actual waste ink path. During cleanings and maintenance cycles, ink is pulled through the printhead and sent through tubes into the waste ink pads. When you install an external waste ink bottle, you redirect that waste ink so it goes into the bottle instead of filling the pads.

The second part is the printer's internal waste ink counter. This is stored electronically in the printer. The printer estimates how much waste ink has been generated. It does not know whether the ink went into the factory waste pad or into your external tank.

Because these two systems are separate, you can keep the printer physically cleaner with an external tank, but you will still need to reset the counter when the printer reaches its programmed waste ink limit.

This means that if you install the external bottle right away, you may greatly reduce the chance of the waste pads actually filling up. That is a good preventive step. But when the printer eventually reports that the waste ink pad has reached the end of its service life, you will still need to reset the waste ink counter using the proper software or service method.

Also, keep in mind that resetting the waste ink counter without providing a safe place for waste ink to go can be risky. If someone only resets the counter but leaves the original pads in place after they are already saturated, the printer can eventually leak waste ink. That is why the external tank modification and the counter reset serve different purposes and often go together. The external tank handles the physical ink. The reset handles the printer's electronic lockout.

If you are planning to do this modification on a new ET-2720, the best approach is to install the external waste ink bottle carefully and make sure the waste tube is securely routed into the container. The bottle should be placed so it cannot tip over, and the tubing should not be kinked, pinched, or positioned in a way that blocks the ink flow. You should also check the bottle periodically, because even though the printer does not know how full the bottle is, the bottle can still physically fill up over time.

When the printer eventually gives the waste ink pad end-of-life or service-required message, you would then perform the electronic waste ink counter reset. The exact reset method depends on the printer model, firmware, region, and available software tools. For many Epson printers, this is done with an adjustment program or waste ink reset utility. The important point is that the external bottle does not replace the need for the reset.

So, in summary, the bottle trick is a preventive modification that helps manage real waste ink. It does not disable or bypass Epson's internal waste ink counter. You are still likely to need a reset at some point, but the external tank can help make that reset safer because the waste ink is no longer relying only on the internal pads.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair because many of these problems require hands-on inspection and repair. For that reason, we are not able to provide remote troubleshooting, remote repair suggestions, or individualized printer repair support. We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility: BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]. Due to high demand, we handle repairs on a first-come, first-served basis, so it may take a few weeks before we are able to accept your printer for drop-off. Our services are structured to repair either the entire printer or specific components, with instructions provided for how to proceed. That said, we understand our repair rates may not be the most economical option for every situation. For this reason, we strongly recommend self-help through online research whenever possible. A good place to start is YouTube, including our own channel homepage at BCH Technologies on YouTube [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. You can use the search icon next to the "About" tab on the right-hand side of the menu bar to search for videos on specific topics. I receive dozens of questions every day asking for videos about particular printer issues, and after creating videos for the past nine years, it is difficult to remember every single one. YouTube's search function is usually the fastest way to find the most relevant video, and it may also suggest helpful videos from other channels.

Thanks again for reaching out and for watching our video. I appreciate your thoughtful question, and I'm glad you are thinking ahead before the printer reaches the waste ink pad end-of-life stage.