How to Locate and Identify the Epson 2720 Printer’s Waste Line

Question:

Before I try this fix, which line is the waste line for the Epson 2720 printer? For example, is there a defect with the tubing connecting the ink supply to the damper at the front of each color, or could it be something else?

Answer:

The Epson 2720 waste line is not the tubing that goes from the ink supply to the dampers. Instead, it is a separate tube that runs from the capping station to the waste ink tank (or waste ink pad, or, if modded, an external waste tank).

How to find the Waste Line on Epson 2720:

Find the Capping Station

• This waste line also comes from the capping station, which is below the resting position of the printhead.
• The capping station seals the printhead when idle and pulls ink during cleaning cycles to keep the nozzles clear.

Follow the Small Tubing Capping Station

• You’ll see a small plastic tube leading from the capping station toward the printer's right-hand side.
• The waste ink tube moves extra ink away from the printhead so it does not clog.

Find the Waste Ink Pad or External Drainage Point

• That waste line goes right into a waste ink reservoir inside the printer.
• In stock printers, the used ink gets sucked up by a foam pad in the printer.
• To avoid the pad getting full, one of the standard mods people do is reroute this line to a waste ink bottle.

Why the Waste Line Matters

The waste line is key to your printer’s ink flow and cleaning:

✅ It enables excess ink to be expelled during maintenance cycles.

✅ A blocked waste pipe is affecting your nozzle clean, resulting in your print quality.

✅ It can suction and clean the printhead with a syringe.

If you're using a syringe to try to clear clogs in your printhead and you're working in the waste line:

🔹 Apply low suction — pulling too firmly or quickly can create too much vacuum pressure and break printhead seals.

🔹 Begin with 1.5 to 2 ml air – This is enough to test for obedience.

🔹 Observe the results:

If just air is sucked in and there's no resistance, the printhead might not be sealing correctly to the capping station.

If the syringe is 100% blocked, the waste line or capping station is probably clogged and needs cleaning.

Need Further Assistance?

Printer problems can be tricky to address, especially given how hands-on some issues can be. We do not offer remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or printer repair assistance. We provide in-person evaluation and repair through our local diagnostic center in BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service).

Please note that we receive many requests, and our services are first come, first served, so it may take a couple of weeks to schedule a drop-off. We offer either entire printer repair or specific repair parts (with instructions). But truth be told, we do not have the cheapest rates. We strongly encourage online research if you are up for a DIY approach.

You can begin at our YouTube channel: BCH Technologies YouTube Channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies), searching for specific troubleshooting videos with the search icon to the left of “About” in the menu bar. YouTube may also recommend more videos from other experts who can help as well.

Thanks for your question and your patience! Hopefully this guide clarifies what the waste line does, and where to find it, in your Epson 2720. If you have questions, feel free to ask!