Diagnosis
This issue is caused by a partial or complete blockage in the microscopic nozzles of the print head, which is a common failure point for the Epson WF-2960 when it sits idle for several weeks. When ink dries at the nozzle opening, it creates a "crust" that prevents the ink from flowing evenly across the page, resulting in horizontal white gaps or faint, streaky lines. Because this model uses a Piezoelectric print head, air bubbles can also become trapped in the ink delivery lines, mimicking a clog even if the ink is fresh. If a standard nozzle cleaning didn't work, it is because the standard cycle only applies a small amount of pressure to push out a tiny volume of ink. If the clog is severe or the ink has dehydrated into a thick sludge, the standard cleaning lacks the force necessary to clear the obstruction. You can confirm this by printing a Nozzle Check pattern; if you see gaps in the grid lines for specific colors (typically Magenta or Yellow), the issue is definitely physical blockage within the print head assembly rather than a software or driver glitch.
How to Fix It
To resolve severe streaking, you must perform a Power Cleaning, which is a high-pressure flush designed to force ink through stubborn clogs. Note that this consumes a significant amount of ink and requires the ink tanks to be at least one-third full.
- Ensure the printer is powered on and loaded with plain A4 or Letter paper.
- On the printer's home screen, use the arrow buttons to navigate to the Setup menu and press OK.
- Scroll down to Maintenance and select it.
- Select Power Cleaning. The printer will warn you that this process uses a lot of ink; select Yes or Start to proceed.
- Wait for the process to complete. This typically takes 5 to 10 minutes. Do not turn off the printer or open the scanner lid during this time.
- Once finished, the printer will prompt you to print a Nozzle Check pattern. Select Print Nozzle Check.
- Inspect the pattern. If the lines are solid and gap-free, the issue is resolved. If streaks remain, wait 12 hours to allow any loosened ink particles to settle or dissolve before attempting one more Power Cleaning.
If That Didn't Work
- Manual Print Head Flush: If the software cleaning fails, you can use a print head cleaning kit (specifically one designed for Epson). Gently apply 2-3ml of specialized print head cleaning solution to the ink intake nozzles using a syringe. Let it sit for 24 hours to chemically dissolve the dried ink before attempting another Power Cleaning.
- Check Vent Holes: Remove the ink cartridges and inspect the small yellow or orange vent tabs. If these are not fully peeled back or are blocked by adhesive residue, a vacuum forms inside the cartridge, preventing ink from flowing to the head. Ensure the air vents are completely open.
- Update Firmware: In rare cases, the ink ejection frequency is mismanaged by outdated firmware. Connect the printer to your PC and run the Epson Software Updater to ensure the print head timing is optimized.
- Replace the Print Head: If the streaks persist after a manual flush and a Power Cleaning, the print head may have suffered permanent "burn-out" or physical damage. You will need to replace the print head assembly, though for the WF-2960, the cost of the part often exceeds the value of the printer.
Heads Up
- Avoid Long Idleness: To prevent future clogs, print at least one full-color page every two weeks. This keeps the ink moving and prevents the nozzles from drying out.
- Use Genuine Ink: Third-party inks often have different viscosities and drying times, which can lead to more frequent clogs in the WF-2960's precision nozzles.
- Ink Level Warning: Never run a Power Cleaning if your ink levels are low (below 20%), as this can suck air into the print head, which may permanently damage the unit.
- Paper Quality: Ensure you are using high-quality, lint-free paper. Cheap, dusty paper can leave fibers on the print head, which eventually cause streaks.