How to Fix Epson WorkForce WF-7610: Cartridge Not Recognized, Printhead Stuck, and Blank Page Issues

Question:
On my Epson WorkForce WF-7610, the printhead moves hard to the left and then stops. It also shows cartridge recognition errors and sometimes prints blank pages. What can I do to fix this?

Answer:

1. Cartridge Not Recognized

When your Epson displays a “Cartridge Not Recognized” error, it typically points to one of these issues:

• Dirty or Misaligned Chip Contacts: The gold contacts on the cartridge must align perfectly with the printer’s reader pins. Even a small speck of ink or dust can disrupt communication. Cleaning the chip with a lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol often helps.

• Third-Party or Refilled Cartridges: If you’re using non-OEM cartridges, Epson firmware updates may block recognition. Rolling back firmware or using a reset chip may be necessary.

• Damaged Chip or Reader: If cleaning and reseating don’t solve it, the chip itself may be faulty, or the reader pins inside the printer may be bent.

2. Printhead Going Hard Left and Stopping

This specific behavior usually points to an issue with the CR encoder strip or sensor:

• CR Encoder Strip Misalignment: The thin, clear plastic strip that runs horizontally across the carriage is critical for guiding the printhead’s movement. If it slips out of the encoder sensor, the printer loses its positional reference. This causes the head to slam to one side.

• Dirty or Damaged Encoder Strip: Ink mist or smudges can block the sensor from reading the strip markings. Carefully clean the strip with a soft, lint-free cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol. Never scratch or bend it.

• Faulty CR Encoder Sensor: If the strip is properly seated and clean, the sensor itself may be failing, in which case replacement is required.

3. Blank Page Printing

If the printer powers up and moves correctly but produces blank pages:

• Air in Ink Lines: After cartridge replacement or prolonged inactivity, air pockets can prevent ink from reaching the nozzles. Running 2–3 cleaning cycles (not consecutively, allow 30 minutes rest between cycles) may restore flow.

• Clogged Nozzles: Pigment inks especially can dry inside the nozzles. A head cleaning solution applied via a cleaning kit may be required.

• Defective Printhead: If multiple cleanings and flushes don’t restore printing, the printhead may have burned out from overheating or be permanently clogged.

By focusing first on the encoder strip issue, you should be able to stop the printhead from slamming left. Once that’s resolved, proceed with cartridge troubleshooting and ink flow checks to restore proper printing.

Addressing printer issues can be complicated due to the hands-on nature of the problems. For that reason, we cannot provide remote troubleshooting or personalized repair support. However, we do offer in-person diagnostic and repair services through our local repair facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Please note that due to demand, repairs are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and may require a few weeks before your printer can be processed. We service both full printers and specific components with clear instructions on the repair path. That said, we know our pricing isn’t always the lowest. For many users, self-help remains the most cost-effective option. A great starting point is to use the search feature on our BCH Technologies YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Simply click the search icon beside the “About” tab and enter your issue—you’ll quickly find related videos, and YouTube may even recommend other helpful tutorials.

Thanks again for reaching out to us and for your support of BCH Technologies. We value your trust and look forward to continuing to help the printing community with resources, repairs, and technical knowledge.