How to Revive an Epson WF-3640 Printer After Long-Term Storage

Question

I stored my Epson WF-3640 printer in a calm, covered environment for almost 3.5 years. In late December 2021 and early January 2022, I thoroughly cleaned and flushed the printer and purchased refillable cartridges and BCH ink. However, I never opened the ink, filled the cartridges, or tested the printer. Before proceeding now, can I prepare the printer after such a long period of inactivity?

Answer

Regarding your Epson WF-3640 printer that has been stored for about 3.5 years, the likelihood of successfully reviving it depends primarily on what was left inside the printer during the storage period:

1. Original Epson Pigment Ink: Unfortunately, if the printer was left with original Epson ink, the chance of recovery is very low (around 5%). Epson’s original ink is pigment-based, which means it tends to harden over time. Once the ink solidifies, it’s nearly impossible to dissolve, much like concrete. Even cleaning solutions are not effective in this case.

2. Empty Cartridges: If the printer was stored with empty cartridges, the chance of recovery increases slightly to around 10%. Without any fluid to maintain moisture, the printhead may still experience severe clogging or dried residue.

3. Filled with Wetter Solution: If the cartridges were filled with a wetter solution before storage, you have about a 50% chance of recovery. Wetter solutions are designed to keep the nozzles moist and reduce the risk of ink hardening.

4. Filled with Dye Ink: If dye ink was left in the printer, the chance of recovery is approximately 20%. Dye inks tend to dry out less severely than pigment inks but still pose a significant risk of solidifying over time.

In any case, using a cleaning solution may not significantly help because you are not just dealing with a clogging issue but rather a solidified column of ink. You may need to manually disassemble the printhead and attempt to clean it carefully, but the success rate is generally low, especially after such a long period.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Therefore, 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 Printer Repair Service. Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. It may take a few weeks before we can evaluate your printer. Our services cover complete printer repairs or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. While our rates may not be the lowest, we encourage self-help through online resources. You can start by searching our YouTube channel’s homepage BCH Technologies YouTube Channel for related videos. Use the search icon next to 'About' on the right-hand side of the menu bar for specific topics. Since we have been creating videos for nearly a decade, it’s the most efficient way to find the relevant content.

Thank you once again for your continued support and for reaching out to BCH Technologies. We hope this information helps resolve your printer issue.