Epson EcoTank ET-3950 Printer User Manual

1. Introduction

This manual provides essential instructions for setting up, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting your Epson EcoTank ET-3950 multifunction printer. Designed for home and office use, the ET-3950 offers high-quality printing, copying, and scanning with an integrated ink tank system for cost-effective operation.

Key Features:

• Integrated EcoTank ink system for significant ink savings.
• Print, copy, and scan functionality.
• Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) for multi-page scanning and copying.
• Automatic duplex (two-sided) printing.
• Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity.
• Mobile printing support via Epson Smart Panel app.
• 6.1 cm LCD display for easy navigation.

Image 1: Epson EcoTank ET-3950 printer highlighting its features including the ADF, LCD display, and ink tanks.

2. What's in the Box

Before you begin, ensure all components are present in the package:

• Epson EcoTank ET-3950 Printer
• Full set of EcoTank ink bottles (Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow)
• Power cable
• Documentation (Setup Guide, Warranty Information)

Note: A USB cable for direct connection is not included and must be purchased separately if needed.

Image 2: Package contents of the Epson EcoTank ET-3950, showing the printer, ink bottles, documentation, and power cable.

3. Setup Guide

3.1 Unpacking and Placement

1. Remove the printer from its packaging and remove all protective tapes and materials.
2. Place the printer on a flat, stable surface near a power outlet. Ensure adequate space around the printer for ventilation and operation.

3.2 Filling the Ink Tanks

The EcoTank system uses key-locked bottles to prevent incorrect ink filling.

1. Open the ink tank unit cover on the side of the printer.
2. Open the cap for the black ink tank.
3. Uncap the black ink bottle and insert it into the tank's filling port. The ink will automatically start filling. Do not squeeze the bottle.
4. Once the tank is full, the ink flow will stop. Remove the bottle and securely close the tank cap.
5. Repeat this process for the Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow ink tanks.
6. Close the ink tank unit cover.

Image 3: Demonstrating the practical ink refill system for the EcoTank ET-3950.

3.3 Power On and Initial Ink Charging

1. Connect the power cable to the printer and a wall outlet.
2. Press the power button to turn on the printer.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions on the LCD panel to initiate ink charging. This process can take several minutes. Do not turn off the printer during this time.

3.4 Software Installation and Connectivity

1. Visit the Epson support website for your model (Epson ET-3950) to download the latest drivers and software.
2. Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts.
3. During installation, you will be prompted to choose your connection method: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or USB.
4. For Wi-Fi: Select your network from the printer's LCD panel and enter the password.
5. For Ethernet: Connect an Ethernet cable from your router to the printer's Ethernet port.
6. For USB: Connect a USB cable from your computer to the printer.

4. Operating Instructions

4.1 Loading Paper

1. Pull out the paper cassette from the front of the printer.
2. Adjust the paper guides to match the size of your paper.
3. Load paper print-side down. Do not overload the cassette.
4. Slide the paper cassette back into the printer.
5. Confirm the paper size and type on the LCD screen if prompted.

4.2 Printing

You can print from a computer, mobile device, or directly from the printer's control panel.

• From a Computer: Select 'Print' from your application, choose the Epson ET-3950, and adjust settings (e.g., paper size, quality, duplex printing) as needed.
• Mobile Printing: Download the Epson Smart Panel app on your smartphone or tablet. Connect your device to the same Wi-Fi network as the printer. Use the app to select documents or photos and print.

Image 4: The Epson Smart Panel app enables convenient mobile printing from your smartphone or tablet.

4.3 Copying

The ET-3950 supports both flatbed and Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) copying.

1. Using the ADF: Place your documents face-up in the ADF tray.
2. Using the Flatbed: Lift the scanner lid and place a single document face-down on the scanner glass.
3. On the printer's LCD panel, select 'Copy'.
4. Adjust settings such as number of copies, color/black & white, and paper size.
5. Press the 'Start' button to begin copying.

4.4 Scanning

Documents can be scanned to a computer or cloud services.

1. Load your document(s) into the ADF (face-up) or onto the scanner glass (face-down).
2. On the printer's LCD panel, select 'Scan'.
3. Choose your scan destination (e.g., computer, cloud service).
4. Adjust scan settings like resolution and file type.
5. Press the 'Start' button to begin scanning.

Image 5: The ET-3950 supports automatic duplex printing, scanning, and copying for enhanced productivity.

4.5 Using the Control Panel

The 6.1 cm LCD display and physical buttons allow for easy control of printer functions.

• Navigate menus using the arrow buttons.
• Press 'OK' to confirm selections.
• Use the 'Home' button to return to the main menu.
• The 'Back' button allows you to go to the previous screen.
• Dedicated buttons for Copy, Scan, and Maintenance provide quick access to these functions.

Image 6: The intuitive control panel with a 6.1 cm LCD display for easy operation.

5. Maintenance

5.1 Checking Ink Levels

You can check ink levels visually through the transparent ink tanks on the front of the printer or via the printer's LCD panel and the Epson Smart Panel app.

5.2 Refilling Ink Tanks

When an ink tank runs low, refill it using genuine Epson EcoTank ink bottles. Refer to section 3.2 Filling the Ink Tanks for detailed instructions.

5.3 Cleaning the Print Head

If print quality declines (e.g., missing lines, faded colors), perform a print head cleaning:

1. From the printer's LCD panel, navigate to Maintenance.
2. Select Print Head Cleaning.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions. You may need to perform this multiple times.
4. After cleaning, print a nozzle check pattern to verify print quality.

5.4 Cleaning the Scanner Glass

If scanned images have streaks or smudges, clean the scanner glass:

1. Turn off the printer and unplug the power cord.
2. Open the scanner lid.
3. Wipe the scanner glass and the white document mat with a soft, lint-free cloth dampened with a mild glass cleaner. Do not spray cleaner directly onto the glass.
4. Wipe dry with a clean, dry cloth.

6. Troubleshooting

Here are solutions to common issues you might encounter:

Printer is not turning on:

Ensure the power cable is securely connected to both the printer and a working electrical outlet. Try a different outlet.

Printer is not printing:

Check if the printer is powered on and connected to your computer/network. Verify ink levels and paper supply. Ensure there are no error messages on the LCD panel. Restart both the printer and your computer.

Poor print quality (streaks, faded colors):

Perform a print head cleaning and nozzle check (refer to section 5.3 Cleaning the Print Head). Ensure you are using genuine Epson ink.

Paper jams:

Carefully remove any jammed paper from the paper tray, output tray, or inside the printer. Refer to the printer's on-screen instructions or the full user guide for specific jam clearance procedures. Ensure paper is loaded correctly and not creased or torn.

Cannot connect to Wi-Fi:

Ensure your Wi-Fi router is on and functioning. Re-enter the Wi-Fi password on the printer's LCD panel. Move the printer closer to the router if possible. Check your router's settings for any MAC address filtering.

7. Specifications

Model Name:

ET-3950

Print Technology:

Inkjet

Functions:

Print, Copy, Scan

Connectivity:

Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB

Max Print Resolution (Color):

4800 x 1200 dpi

Max Print Resolution (Black & White):

4800 x 1200 dpi

Max Print Speed (Color):

23 Pages per minute

Max Print Speed (Black & White):

35 Pages per minute

Duplex Printing:

Automatic

Scanner Type:

Flatbed, Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)

Scanner Resolution:

4800 x 1200 dpi

ADF Capacity:

30 sheets

Paper Capacity (Input):

250 sheets

Supported Paper Sizes:

A4, A5, A6, Letter, B5, B6, No. 10 (Envelope), DL (Envelope), C6 (Envelope), 10x15cm, 13x18cm

Display:

6.1 cm LCD

Item Weight:

7.2 Kilograms

Item Dimensions (D x W x H):

0.35 x 3.75 x 2.4 meters

Power Consumption:

50 watts

Compatible Cartridge:

EcoTank 102 series ink bottles

Country of Origin:

Philippines

8. Warranty and Support

Your Epson EcoTank ET-3950 printer comes with a standard product warranty of 1 year. Additionally, Epson offers an extended warranty of 3 years upon product registration. Please refer to the official Epson website for terms and conditions regarding warranty registration.

EU Spare Parts Availability: 3 Years

Image 7: Extended warranty of up to 3 years available for the Epson EcoTank ET-3950.

For further assistance, technical support, or to download the latest drivers and manuals, please visit the official Epson support website:

• Epson Support Website: www.epson.eu/support
• Epson Smart Panel App: Available on iOS App Store and Android Google Play Store.