EPSON WF-7310 Print cartridge carriage won't open

[PrintDammit]

Hi,
I'm wondering if any else has experienced this issue.
I'm trying to install this new printer but it can't get past the initialization because I'm unable to install the print cartridges ! I enter language, date format etc and it goes through a fairly lengthy process of moving the print head left and right. Then it says install the print cartridges, but the issue is that the carriage is right over on the right and the carriage lid won't open because there's a plastic tab on the right wall of the printer that prevents it opening. It seems the carriage should be a little to the left, away from this tab, and where there's a cut out at the rear that would allow the lid over the inks to lift. I managed to connect a usb cable , download the firmware installer to my windows laptop and install the latest firmware, so I've ruled that out. But I've still got the same issue. I've even tried pulling the power plug while it's moving the head and this seems to force the lengthy back and forth process again - but it then returns to the far right. All very frustrating and the Epson virtual assistant was of no help. I'd appreciate if anyone else has gone through this and any answers ! Thanks.

 

[davidparker]

Yeah, I had the same issue with mine super frustrating! What worked for me was unplugging it right after the carriage started moving (not when it's all the way to the right). Then I manually slid the carriage to the center and could open the lid to install the cartridges. Once they're in, plug it back in and it should continue setup normally. Hope that helps!

 

[PrintDammit]

I can't thank you enough ! I hadn't realised that you can push the carriage by hand once it's in mid-position. So I did just what you said and pulled the power cord as it started to fly across. Then I was able to drag the carriage to the position it needs to be in to change the ink. Changed the ink and voila, next time I powered on and went through language, time format etc it then WENT ON to do all the rest of the (long) initialisation, and then it was done. I now have a working printer. What I find so crazy is that I went on the Epson website and their support, tried the virtual assistant (which might be helpful for a lot of things but totally useless on this), then I phoned Epson support and spoke to a nice lady who although was very pleasant just read through all the stuff I had read through and watched the videos I'd already watched, and came to the conclusion the printer was f***ed and I should return it. Ok returning is fine, but still a hassle and then the whole problem of what to buy next. So anyway, thanks again !