Epson WorkForce WF-3640 Not Printing After Storage? How to Fix No Ink Output Even With New Cartridges

Question

I watched the video about the Extreme Unclog Epson Printhead WorkForce WF-3640 Fix 0x97 / 0xEA Error and found it very helpful. I recently pulled my Epson WF-3640 out of storage after it had been sitting unused for about a year. I installed brand-new OEM cartridges immediately.

However, the printer will not put any ink on paper at all. This happens during regular printing, nozzle checks, and even after running several printhead cleanings. The printer also does not show any error codes, and everything appears normal: new cartridges are installed, paper is loaded, and the printer runs cleaning cycles.

I've already performed three printhead cleanings, but there is still no ink output. What could cause this, and what should I check next?

Answer

Now let's go through what's most likely happening with your Epson WorkForce WF-3640.

Why an Epson WF-3640 Prints Nothing After Sitting for a Year

When an Epson inkjet printer sits unused for many months or longer, the most common issue is ink system drying. Even if you install brand-new cartridges, the ink still has to travel through several components before reaching the printhead nozzles. If any part of that path dries out, the printer can run normally but produce blank pages.

Key areas where drying typically occurs include:

• The printhead nozzles

• The ink dampers or internal ink channels

• The capping station seal

• The pump assembly responsible for pulling ink during cleaning cycles

In your case, the fact that:

• The printer recognizes the cartridges

• It runs cleaning cycles normally

• There are no error codes

• Yet no ink prints at all

strongly suggests that ink is not reaching the printhead, rather than an electronic failure.

Why Standard Cleaning Cycles Often Don't Work

Many users assume running several printhead cleanings will resolve the issue. However, Epson's built-in cleaning cycles are designed for minor nozzle clogs, not completely dry ink systems.

After a year of inactivity, the system may have:

• Air trapped in the ink lines

• Dried ink blocking the printhead

• A capping station that cannot create suction

If the pump cannot pull ink through the system, the printer will simply run cleaning cycles without actually restoring ink flow.

Steps That Usually Fix This Problem

1. Manually Prime the Ink System

One of the most effective recovery methods is manually priming the ink system. This involves drawing ink through the waste line or capping station using a syringe.

This helps:

• Remove air bubbles

• Refill dried channels

• Pull fresh ink into the printhead

Once ink begins flowing again, normal cleaning cycles often start working.

2. Check the Capping Station Seal

The capping station is the rubber seal that presses against the printhead when the printer is idle.

If it is:

• Dirty

• Dried out

• Misaligned

then the cleaning pump cannot create suction. Without suction, ink cannot be pulled through the printhead.

Cleaning the capping station with distilled water or cleaning solution can often restore the seal.

3. Inspect the Pump and Waste Line

During a cleaning cycle, the pump should pull ink through the printhead and send it into the waste ink tube.

You can check this by observing whether ink moves through the waste tube during cleaning. If nothing moves, the pump may be:

• clogged

• air-locked

• unable to seal properly

4. Perform a Manual Printhead Cleaning

If the nozzles themselves are dried out, a manual flush with printhead cleaning solution may be necessary.

This process typically involves:

• Moving the carriage to the service position

• Applying cleaning fluid to the capping station

• Letting the printhead soak

• Re-priming the system

This is often required for printers that have been idle for a year or more.

About Error Codes Like 0x97 and 0xEA

Your printer currently does not show any error codes, which is actually a good sign.

However, the video you referenced mentions Epson errors such as:

• 0x97 error - typically related to a printhead hardware failure or electrical fault

• 0xEA error - often related to carriage movement issues or printhead initialization failures

These errors are different from your situation. Your printer appears to have a mechanical ink delivery issue, not an electronic one.

The Most Likely Cause in Your Case

Based on your description, the most probable issue is:

A dried ink delivery system preventing ink from reaching the printhead.

Even with new cartridges installed, the printer cannot print until the system is re-primed and the printhead rehydrated.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility: BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. So, it might take a few weeks before we can get your printer to drop it off. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we highly recommend that you resort to self-help via online research.

You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage: BCH Technologies YouTube Channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Look for specific videos using the search icon next to About on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be the most efficient method. Plus, YouTube may suggest relevant videos from other channels that could also help.

Thanks again for reaching out and for supporting our content. Your engagement helps us continue sharing repair knowledge with the community, and we truly appreciate it. If you have additional observations about the printer's behavior, feel free to share them.