Epson Printer only works when I reinstall the driver!!

Ainekav

I bought a cheap epson printer there a while ago and for a week or so it worked fine. Then It started being tempermental. Its not a wireless printer, just USB. It also has a built in scanner and photocopier. They both work without fail every time. I have a macbook.

When I connect the printer to the laptop and try to print something, it comes up on my printing queue as normal but just doesn't print. When I go into Utilities it says communication error. I have tried everything from checking the USB connection to turning on and off printer/laptop and trying again.

Basically I have worked out that the problem lies in the driver or software. The printer only works when I put in the epson CD and completely reinstall the software. To my very untrained eye it seems like when I install the software, I'm not really installing it properly or something, and its gone by the next time I want to print. The kicker is that the scanner works everytime!!

If anyone has ANY idea what I could do please let me know. I am going to reinstall the driver now once again (by clicking something called "install navi" from the epson cd) so I can print something. This is obviously a pain in the arse...

I've looked online for solutions and not gotten very far. I've tried all the suggested troubleshotting options. Its an Epson SX130.
Thanks in advance

yoyo

Ainekav wrote: »

I bought a cheap epson printer there a while ago and for a week or so it worked fine. Then It started being tempermental. Its not a wireless printer, just USB. It also has a built in scanner and photocopier. They both work without fail every time. I have a macbook.

When I connect the printer to the laptop and try to print something, it comes up on my printing queue as normal but just doesn't print. When I go into Utilities it says communication error. I have tried everything from checking the USB connection to turning on and off printer/laptop and trying again.

Basically I have worked out that the problem lies in the driver or software. The printer only works when I put in the epson CD and completely reinstall the software. To my very untrained eye it seems like when I install the software, I'm not really installing it properly or something, and its gone by the next time I want to print. The kicker is that the scanner works everytime!!

If anyone has ANY idea what I could do please let me know. I am going to reinstall the driver now once again (by clicking something called "install navi" from the epson cd) so I can print something. This is obviously a pain in the arse...

I've looked online for solutions and not gotten very far. I've tried all the suggested troubleshotting options. Its an Epson SX130.
Thanks in advance

Have you tried installing the latest drivers for it from www.epson.com? The driver disc may not have a version compatible with your os. Also I'll move this to the Mac forum where you may get a better answer

Nick

whiterebel

After you install it, do you go to System prefs>Print&Fax and add the printer there?

Ainekav

yes I added it there in system prefs and it shows up but its still not connecting. I've also installed new drivers but to no avail...

Liameter

Repair Permissions after installing the driver. It probably won't help but it won't do any harm!

BTW, when you post a question like this, it helps if you tell us the exact Mac hardware, OS version and software that you are using. Also the Epson driver version.

mathepac

Liameter wrote: »

Repair Permissions after installing the driver. It probably won't help but it won't do any harm! ....

I'd almost agree, but I've adopted the other view which is to repair permission BEFORE installing new software. , but yes, checking / repairing permissions regularly is good practice.

I'm surprised to hear that the printer software needed to be installed from CD. Unless the Mac OS software is badly out of date, the printer software released by Apple is usually more up-to-date than that in the box with the printer. The optimum solution usually is to stick with printer software released by Apple as an OS update.

Liameter

mathepac wrote: »

I'd almost agree, but I've adopted the other view which is to repair permission BEFORE installing new software. , but yes, checking / repairing permissions regularly is good practice.

Well, I admit that I do it both BEFORE and AFTER installing new software .. but I didn't want to come across as OCD !

mathepac

Liameter wrote: »

.. but I didn't want to come across as OCD !

Here's your brother, but our hearts are in the right place(s).