Why Your Epson Printer Still Shows "E-11 Ink Pad Needs Service" Even With an External Waste Tank (Q&A Guide)

Question: Understanding the E-11 "Ink Pad Needs Service" Error - Will Installing an External Waste Ink Tank Prevent It?

A customer asked whether converting their Epson printer to use an external waste-ink bottle means the E-11 error will no longer appear, and if this also means they won't need to purchase reset codes anymore.

Answer: 

What the E-11 Error Really Means

The E-11 error is triggered when the printer's internal counter believes the waste ink pads-often called the "diaper"-have reached the end of their service life.
It's important to note:

• This error is software-based, not hardware-based.

• The printer counts the amount of waste ink it thinks has been absorbed, not what actually happened inside the machine.

• Even if you reroute the waste ink to an external tank, the counter keeps increasing as usual.

In other words, the E-11 is not a sensor-detected physical condition-it is a firmware-triggered counter limit.

Why External Waste Ink Tanks Don't Stop the E-11 Error

Your external tank mod is extremely useful. It prevents ink from saturating the internal pads and allows you to empty the bottle instead of replacing Epson's built-in sponge.
However, this modification does not communicate with the printer's firmware.

So:

• ✔ The external tank physically collects the waste ink.

• ✘ The printer does not know that no ink is going into the internal pads.

• ✔ You avoid physically replacing the pads.

• ✘ But the printer still enforces the waste-ink counter limit.

Because of that, you will still receive the E-11 error, even with the conversion.

Do You Still Need Reset Codes?

Yes - you will still need to reset the waste-ink counter periodically.

The reset codes or utilities don't reset hardware; they reset the internal EEPROM counter that tracks the "ink pad life."

So even though the pads never fill up (since they're bypassed):

• The printer continues counting waste ink usage.

• Once the threshold is reached, you'll get the E-11 message again.

• A reset is required to clear it.

The conversion eliminates the need to physically replace the ink pads, but it does not eliminate the need for resets.

Why Epson Designed It This Way

Epson created the waste-ink counter as a protection mechanism to prevent ink overflow inside the printer. The firmware has no sensor to detect where the waste ink actually goes. It only assumes it's going to the internal pads. Because of this, bypassing the pads does not bypass the counter.

Additional Things to Keep in Mind

• If you continue using the printer without modifying the counter, it may eventually lock you out to prevent damage.

• After installing the external tank, your printer will remain physically safe, but the firmware will still enforce its built-in limits.

• Make sure to reset before the counter hits the hard stop to avoid downtime.

Service and Support Notice

Dealing with printer errors can be hands-on and complex, so we're unable to provide remote troubleshooting or repair assistance. We do offer in-person diagnostic and repair services at our local facility through our printer repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Please be aware that due to high demand, repairs are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and wait times can be several weeks.
Our shop can service full units or individual components with clear step-by-step intake instructions. Although our service quality is high, our rates may not be the most economical, so we strongly encourage DIY research as a first step. You can begin with YouTube or by exploring the BCH Technologies channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon on our channel's homepage to locate videos efficiently-after nine years of content creation, even we can't recall every video by memory. YouTube may also recommend helpful videos from other creators.

Thank you again for contacting us and for supporting BCH Technologies. Your engagement helps us continue creating clear, accurate printer repair resources for the community. If you have more questions, feel free to reach out anytime.