Karen L. Haws-Bialeck
I dont usually write reviews unless I can give a product 5 stars, but after spending hours struggling with this printer on my own...and more hours trying to get hold of someone at Epson for help...and then more than an hour on the phone with a tech rep who didnt help me at all with the problems I was having, I feel that I must write this review for the benefit of other people considering this printer. I have used Epson printers all of my Internet life without any problems...until now. This printer is a disaster and does not do what it is supposed to do. However, I have decided to keep it because I did get it for a very good price, and I have finally managed to work around its problems and get it to function. It does print beautifully. This is supposed to be a wireless printer, but it has not exhibited that function for me, and I see that I am not the only one with that issue. So, I ended up having to purchase an Ethernet cord as well as a printer cord. Epsons software would not install it properly, so I had to use the software provided by my computer to finally get it to print. There is no way to get it to collate pages of a single multi-page document which is very annoying. However, if you need documents printed off the Internet, Microsoft Edge is the browser to use because it will override the printer and collate the pages of a single document so they come out in order without having to put them in order by hand. Microsoft Edge is my least favorite browser, but at least it collates my printed documents. To update this complaint, after having Microsoft Edge override this printers functions a few times, it finally started collating the multi-page documents that I create as well. The next issue that had me extremely frustrated was not having access to the scanner at all. That runs off different software, and Epsons software absolutely wouldnt work. As I mentioned, Epson themselves were useless helping me to correct the problem. The printer worked fine with cords, but the scanner simply wouldnt operate at all. My computer couldnt even see it. So, I started looking for an inexpensive scanner. What I found was a software program called VueScan, and it works like magic with any brand or age of scanner provided it isnt broken. I downloaded the program, and I instantly had access to my Epson scanner, and it worked perfectly. They have a free trial version, a standard version, and a professional version. After I played with the free trial version for a while I bought the standard version, which is all I need for my small business, and that version provides free updates for a year. At that point Ill go ahead and upgrade to the professional version which provides lifetime updates. With a discount I found online I only paid $39.95 for the standard program which was well worth it to help me to solve this stressful problem, especially considering the low price I paid for the printer. The program is much more comprehensive than Epsons scanner software which didnt work anyway, but it is also easy to use, and they provide a complete manual online to learn how to use it if needed. The upgrade to the professional version is an additional $50.00 and can be done anytime if desired. After using this printer long enough to need to change one of the ink cartridges another annoying issue surfaced. Im sure Im not the only one out there who likes to use compatible ink cartridges to save money. I have found a seller on eBay who has excellent quality compatibles that have always produced superior printed pages. One of the reasons that I bought this particular printer while it was on sale was because it took the same ink cartridges as my previous Epson printer. So, I didnt have to waste money by throwing the cartridges I already had away. Every other Epson printer I have had has thrown a little temper tantrum when I install a compatible ink cartridge with the on-screen message, "The ink cartridge you have installed is not a genuine Epson ink cartridge. Are you sure that you want to proceed with it?" Then, you can click "yes" and go on about your business with no further trouble. That is not the case with this printer! It came up with the same message, and when I clicked "yes" it did the next print job without any problem. After that, though, it threw a major temper tantrum and refused to print any more and insisted that I must install a proper genuine Epson cartridge. Fortunately, I have found that I can just turn the silly thing off and then back on again to clear that message and do another print job. However, I must do that now in between every print job. It is still worth it, though, for the price I paid for this printer and the quality of the printed pages. So, if you want to take advantage of a sale price on this Epson printer, at least there is hope that you can get it to function correctly with time, patience, and investments in connection cords and a software program that actually works. I cant figure out what on earth has happened to Epson, but whatever it is isnt good. This is a great machine now for my needs, but it is no thanks to Epson themselves!
