1. Introduction
This manual provides detailed instructions for the setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of your Epson EcoTank ET-3950 Wireless All-in-One Color Supertank Printer. The ET-3950 is designed for home office use, featuring refillable ink tanks, wireless connectivity, and multi-function capabilities including printing, scanning, and copying.
Image 1.1: The Epson EcoTank ET-3950 All-in-One Printer shown with its accompanying ink bottles.
2. Setup
2.1 Unpacking and Initial Placement
Carefully remove the printer from its packaging. Ensure all protective tapes and materials are removed. Place the printer on a stable, flat surface with adequate space for paper loading and output.
2.2 Filling the Ink Tanks
The EcoTank ET-3950 uses refillable ink tanks. Follow these steps to fill them:
- Open the ink tank unit cover.
- Open the cap for the ink tank you wish to fill.
- Uncap the corresponding EcoFit ink bottle and insert it into the filling port. The ink will automatically stop flowing when the tank is full.
- Remove the bottle, recap the ink tank, and close the ink tank unit cover.
- Repeat for all colors.
Image 2.1: Illustration of the ink refilling process using an EcoFit bottle.
Image 2.2: The printer's ink tanks and the uniquely keyed EcoFit ink bottles.
2.3 Powering On and Initial Configuration
Connect the power cord and press the power button. Follow the on-screen instructions on the 2.4" color display to complete the initial setup, including language selection and ink initialization.
3. Operating the Printer
3.1 Loading Paper
Open the paper cassette and load paper face down. Adjust the paper guides to fit the paper size. The printer supports a 250-sheet paper capacity.
3.2 Printing Documents
To print, send a print job from your computer or mobile device. The printer supports up to 18 ISO ppm for black and 9 ISO ppm for color. Auto duplex printing is available for two-sided documents.
Image 3.1: The printer's control panel displaying print speeds and connectivity options.
3.3 Scanning Documents
Place documents on the scanner glass or in the Auto Document Feeder (ADF). Use the printer's control panel or the Epson Smart Panel app to initiate a scan. The scanner supports both flatbed and sheetfed scanning.
3.4 Copying Documents
Place the original document on the scanner glass or in the ADF. Use the printer's control panel to select copy settings (e.g., number of copies, color/black & white, size) and start the copying process. The printer can make up to 99 copies per run.
3.5 Wireless Connectivity
The ET-3950 supports Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity. To connect wirelessly, navigate to the network settings on the printer's display and follow the instructions to connect to your Wi-Fi network. Mobile printing is supported via the Epson Smart Panel app and Apple AirPrint.
4. Maintenance
4.1 Ink Refilling
Monitor ink levels through the transparent ink tanks or the printer's display. When an ink tank is low, refill it using genuine Epson 502 ink bottles. Refer to section 2.2 for detailed refilling instructions.
Image 4.1: Genuine Epson 502 ink bottles for refilling the EcoTank system.
4.2 Cleaning the Printer
Regularly clean the exterior of the printer with a soft, damp cloth. For print quality issues, perform a nozzle check and head cleaning from the printer's maintenance menu. Consult the on-screen guide for specific cleaning procedures.
Important: Use only genuine Epson ink for optimal print quality and to prevent damage not covered by the printer's limited warranty.
Image 4.2: Epson's recommendation to use genuine ink for best performance.
5. Troubleshooting
5.1 Common Issues and Solutions
- Printer Not Responding: Check power connection, USB/Ethernet cable, and Wi-Fi status. Restart the printer and computer.
- Poor Print Quality: Perform a nozzle check and head cleaning. Ensure genuine Epson ink is used and ink tanks are not empty.
- Paper Jams: Open covers and carefully remove any jammed paper. Refer to the printer's display for specific jam locations.
- Network Connection Issues: Verify Wi-Fi password and network stability. Restart your router and printer.
For more detailed troubleshooting, refer to the printer's on-screen help or the Epson support website.
6. Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 13.7"D x 14.8"W x 9.4"H |
| Maximum Media Size | 8.5 x 14 inch |
| Power Consumption | 15 Watts (On-mode) |
| Print Media Type | Paper (plain) |
| Scanner Type | Flatbed, Sheetfed |
| Max Input Sheet Capacity | 250 sheets |
| Maximum Color Print Resolution | 4800 x 1200 Dots Per Inch |
| Maximum Black and White Print Resolution | 4800 dpi |
| Dual-sided Printing | Yes (Automatic Duplex) |
| Maximum Copies Per Run | 99 |
| Color Depth | Input: 48-bit color / Output: 24-bit color |
| Hardware Interface | Ethernet, USB |
| Connectivity Technology | Ethernet, USB, Wi-Fi |
| Printing Technology | Inkjet (PrecisionCore Heat-Free) |
| Special Features | Auto Document Feeder, Auto-Duplex, Network-Ready, Refillable Ink Tank |
| Maximum Print Speed (Color) | 9 ppm (ISO) |
| Maximum Print Speed (Monochrome) | 18 ppm (ISO) |
| Item Weight | 15.9 pounds |
| Model Name | EcoTank ET-3950 |
| Compatible Cartridge | Epson 502 ink |
7. What's in the Box
Upon unpacking, you should find the following items:
- Epson EcoTank ET-3950 All-in-One Printer
- Start Here Guide (manual)
- Power Cord
- 1 bottle of 502 Black ink (127 mL)
- 1 bottle each of 502 Cyan, Magenta, Yellow ink (70 mL each)
Image 7.1: All components included with the Epson EcoTank ET-3950 printer.
8. Warranty and Support
8.1 Warranty Information
The Epson EcoTank ET-3950 comes with a limited warranty. Please refer to the "Start Here Guide" included in the box or visit the official Epson website for detailed warranty terms and conditions.
8.2 Customer Support
For technical assistance, product registration, or to download the latest drivers and software, please visit the official Epson support website or contact Epson customer service. Contact information can typically be found on the Epson website or in your product documentation.
