Epson WF-3640 Printhead Cleaning: Which BCH Cleaning Solution to Use for 0x97, 0xEA, and Severe Clogs

Question

I watched your video about unclogging an Epson WorkForce WF-3640 printhead and fixing 0x97 and 0xEA errors. The video was very helpful. What cleaning solution was used in the process? My printer is so clogged that it will not print anything even after running the built-in head cleaning maintenance. I looked in the BCH store for a WF-3640 cleaner, but I am not sure what type of ink this printer uses. Is it solvent-based ink or water-based ink?

Answer

For the Epson WorkForce WF-3640, if the printer has not been modified for sublimation, DTF, DTG, edible ink, solvent ink, or another specialty ink system, then it normally uses water-based pigment ink. It is not a solvent-based printer in its standard factory configuration. Epson's WorkForce series is generally designed around pigment ink, which is water-based but more durable and more clog-prone than regular dye ink when it dries inside the printhead.

Because of that, for a standard WF-3640 using regular pigment ink, you would use a water-based ink cleaning solution. In most cases, we would start with the green cleaning solution or the red cleaning solution depending on how severe the clog is. If the clog is moderate, the green solution is usually the better starting point. If the printer is completely blocked and will not print anything after regular head cleaning, the red solution may be needed, but it must be used more carefully because it is stronger.

At BCH Technologies, we offer several cleaning solutions, and the correct choice depends on the ink type and clog severity.

The Clear Cleaning Solution [https://bchtechnologies.com/products/dual-action-cleaning-solution-for-dye-and-pigment-inks] is the mildest option. It is suitable for both dye and pigment inks and is often used for general maintenance, light clogs, or situations where you want a safer first attempt before moving to a stronger formula. It can help dissolve dried ink around the nozzle plate, parking pad, and ink path, but for a completely clogged WF-3640, it may not be strong enough by itself.

The Green Cleaning Solution [https://bchtechnologies.com/products/triple-action-cleaning-solution-for-dye-pigment-sublimation-inks-1] is stronger than the clear solution and is designed for dye, pigment, and sublimation inks. For a standard WF-3640 using water-based pigment ink, this is often a good choice when the printer still has some flow but the nozzle check is missing many lines or entire color sections. It is also a good option when you do not want to jump immediately to the strongest cleaner.

The Red Cleaning Solution [https://bchtechnologies.com/products/professional-red-cleaning-solution-for-water-based-inks-dye-pigment-sublimation-not-for-solvent-ink] is our strongest cleaner for water-based inks, including dye, pigment, and sublimation ink. This is the one we would consider for severe clogs, especially when the printer has been sitting unused, the printhead is dried internally, or the printer prints nothing even after built-in maintenance. However, because the red solution is stronger, it should be used with caution. We do not recommend leaving it in the printer at full strength for more than 24 hours. It is intended more for severe cases and users who are comfortable working carefully with printhead cleaning tools.

For DTF or DTG ink, especially white ink, the situation is different. DTF and DTG inks are still water-based, but they contain heavier particles and behave differently from standard desktop pigment ink. For that type of ink, we offer the Premium Cleaning Solution for DTF Inks - MaxStrength Against White Ink Clog [https://bchtechnologies.com/products/premium-cleaning-solutions-for-dtf-inks-maxstrength-against-white-ink-clog]. However, this is not the cleaner I would choose for a regular, unmodified Epson WF-3640 using normal pigment ink. It is specifically aimed at DTF/DTG white ink and professional-level cleaning.

Regarding the 0x97 and 0xEA errors mentioned in the video, these codes can be related to more than one issue. They are not always caused only by a clogged printhead.

The 0x97 error on Epson WorkForce printers is often associated with an internal hardware failure, printhead electrical problem, mainboard issue, or a problem triggered by ink contamination or moisture around the printhead area. Sometimes a badly clogged or leaking printhead can contribute to the error, especially if ink has reached the printhead cable, carriage board, or electrical contacts. However, if the 0x97 error remains after the printhead is cleaned and the printer is dried and reassembled correctly, then the issue may be electrical rather than just a clog.

The 0xEA error is commonly related to carriage movement or startup positioning. This can happen if the carriage is jammed, the encoder strip is dirty, the printhead carriage cannot move freely, there is foreign material inside the printer, the printhead is not seated correctly, or the printer detects abnormal resistance during initialization. If the printhead has been removed or serviced, also check that the carriage path is clear, the encoder strip is clean and properly seated, the ribbon cables are installed correctly, and nothing is blocking the carriage from moving from side to side.

For your specific clogging issue, if the printer will not print anything at all after head cleaning, the first thing I would avoid is repeatedly running the printer's built-in cleaning cycle. The built-in cleaning function can help with minor clogs, but when the printhead is severely blocked, repeated cleanings often waste ink, fill the waste ink pad, and may still fail to restore flow. In some cases, it can also pull air into the system or make diagnosis harder.

A more targeted cleaning process usually works better. This may involve checking the capping station first, because the printer depends on the capping station to seal against the printhead and pull ink through the nozzles during cleaning. If the capping station is clogged, dried, misaligned, or not sealing properly, the printer may not be able to recover the printhead even if the printhead itself is still usable. Many people assume the printhead is completely blocked when the real problem is that the pump and cap are not creating suction.

You should also check whether ink is reaching the printhead. If the cartridges, dampers, or ink lines are air-locked or empty, the printer may print blank pages even if the nozzles are not fully clogged. For cartridge-based printers like the WF-3640, cartridge recognition, cartridge venting, chip status, and ink delivery can all affect whether ink reaches the head.

If you decide to flush the printhead manually, use only gentle pressure. A common mistake is forcing cleaning solution through the printhead too aggressively. Epson printheads contain very delicate internal channels. Too much pressure can delaminate the printhead, rupture internal membranes, damage the nozzle plate, or cause cross-contamination between colors. The goal is to soften and dissolve the dried ink, not to blast it out by force.

In short, if your Epson WF-3640 is unmodified, treat it as a water-based pigment ink printer. For a serious clog, the green cleaning solution is a good starting point, and the red cleaning solution is the stronger option for severe blockage. Do not use a solvent cleaner unless the printer has actually been converted to a solvent-based ink system, which would be very unusual for a standard WF-3640. Also remember that cleaning solution can help with dried ink clogs, but it will not repair a burned printhead, damaged ribbon cable, failed mainboard, bad carriage board, or a mechanical carriage problem causing 0x97 or 0xEA errors.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair because many of these problems require hands-on testing, inspection, and repair. Because of that, we are not able to provide remote troubleshooting, repair suggestions, or individual support for printer repairs. 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 operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it may take a few weeks before we are able to receive your printer for drop-off. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with instructions provided on how to proceed. However, we understand that our rates may not be the most economical option for every situation. For that reason, we strongly recommend using self-help resources through online research. You can begin by checking YouTube or visiting our channel homepage: BCH Technologies on YouTube [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. Use the search icon next to the "About" tab on the right-hand side of the menu bar to search for specific repair topics. I receive dozens of questions every day asking for videos on specific problems, and after creating videos for many years, it is difficult to remember every single one. YouTube's search function is usually the most efficient way to find the right video, and it may also recommend helpful videos from other channels.

Thank you again for watching the video and for your kind words. We appreciate your support and hope this helps you choose the correct cleaning solution for your WF-3640 and better understand the difference between a clog, an ink delivery problem, and possible 0x97 or 0xEA hardware-related errors.