How to Fix Epson Printer Waste Ink Pad Lock and Avoid Overflow Damage: Complete Q&A Guide

Question:

My Epson printer is locked due to the waste ink pad error. The WIC resetter can reset the counter, but ink still flows into the internal ink pads and may eventually overflow, risking circuit damage. I also can't proceed with printer setup because the waste ink pad lock has activated. Is there any alternative way to unlock the printer or prevent the ink from damaging internal components?

Answer: 

When your Epson printer displays a "Waste Ink Pad Counter Overflow" or becomes locked due to the waste ink error, it’s essentially warning you that the internal ink pads, which absorb excess ink during head cleaning cycles and other operations, are saturated. Once this threshold is reached, the printer will halt all functionality to avoid potential ink spillage into critical circuitry.

You’re right that even after using a WIC resetter (such as WICReset or Inkchip), the ink continues to flow into those same internal pads—posing a serious risk of overflow and eventual hardware damage. Resetting the counter alone doesn't address the physical accumulation of ink.

Prevent Ink Overflow with an External Waste Ink Tank

To fully mitigate this risk, it’s best to install an external waste ink tank that redirects excess ink away from the internal pads and into a separate container. This way, you protect your printer’s internal electronics and eliminate the mess that comes with saturated ink pads.

For your Epson printer, the waste ink outlet tube has a diameter of 2.5 mm. Although the product listing might refer to it as 25 mm due to SKU naming limitations, it’s compatible with 2.5 mm fittings. You can choose either the 2.5 mm kit or the 4.0 mm kit, depending on your setup needs:

• 2.5 mm Waste Ink Tank Kit (https://bchtechnologies.com/products/2-5mm-waste-ink-tank-kit)

• 4.0 mm Waste Ink Tank Kit (https://bchtechnologies.com/products/4-0mm-waste-ink-tank-kit)

Each kit includes a dual connector that accommodates a 2.5 mm inlet and allows connection to either a 2.5 mm or 4.0 mm outlet tube, providing flexible setup options.

Resetting the Waste Ink Pad Counter

To regain access to the printer’s setup functions and stop the lockout, you’ll need to reset the waste ink pad counter using software. We recommend:

• Inkchip Reset Utility (https://inkchip.net/wic)

This tool is generally more user-friendly and affordable than some alternatives. Download the software, run a diagnostic on your printer, and then execute the reset. In many cases, this will immediately restore access to your printer's setup and allow printing to resume.

Important Note: If your printer features a smart chip embedded in the waste ink tank, software reset tools will not be practical. Instead, you'll need a physical chip resetter specific to your tank’s model number. You can find these resetters online or at some electronics suppliers.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Therefore, we're unable to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, it may take a few weeks before we can arrange for your printer to drop it off. Our services are structured to repair either the 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 (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 approach. Additionally, YouTube may suggest relevant videos from other channels that can assist you.

Thank you once again for your question and for being part of our community. We genuinely value your engagement and hope this information helps you resolve your printer issue safely and effectively.