There are a lot issue many customer experence with Epson EcoTank ET-3850 Ink Reset Guide |How to Fix Printer Not Recognizing Ink
If you’ve refilled your Epson EcoTank ET-3850 but the printer still shows empty ink tanks, don’t panic. This is a common issue because EcoTank printers track ink usage through counters, not by measuring actual liquid levels.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to perform an Epson ET-3850 ink reset, bring up the hidden “Add Ink” menu, and keep your printer running smoothly.
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Amazon Link: Epson 502 EcoTank Ink Bottles (Black + Color Pack)
Amazon Link: Epson 502 Black Ink Bottle.
Why Does the Epson ET-3850 Show Empty Ink Tanks?
Unlike traditional cartridges, the EcoTank system doesn’t have a sensor inside the tanks. Instead, it uses firmware counters to estimate how much ink has been used.
That means even if you fill the tanks to the top, your printer will still say “empty” until you manually reset those counters.
Step 1: Refill Ink Properly
Before resetting, make sure your tanks are topped up to the upper fill line.
Use genuine Epson 502 ink for best results.
Avoid mixing third-party ink brands to prevent clogging.
👉 Recommended: Amazon Link: Epson 502 Ink Combo Pack
Step 2: Reset Ink Levels via LCD Screen
After refilling, check your ET-3850’s LCD screen.
Select “Proceed” when prompted.
Choose the colors you’ve refilled.
Confirm to reset the ink counters.
This process tells the printer that the tanks are full again.
Step 3: Run Ink Charging (Hidden Setup Menu)
If your printer still shows “empty”:
Hold the Help button for about 5 seconds.
The printer will enter Ink Charging mode.
Wait ~10 minutes until the power light stops flashing.
This forces the printer to re-prime the ink lines and update its system.
Step 4: Perform a Power Reset
If problems persist:
Turn off the printer.
Unplug the power cord for 1–2 minutes.
Plug back in and restart.
Repeat Step 2 to reset ink levels.
Step 5: Keep Backup Ink Bottles
The ET-3850 is designed for heavy printing, so it’s smart to keep extra ink on hand.
👉 Best sellers on Amazon:
Amazon Link: Epson 502 Black Ink Bottl
Amazon Link: Epson 502 Color Ink Bottles (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow)
That way, you can avoid downtime when your tanks run low.
Troubleshooting Tips
Print still looks faint? Run a Power Cleaning from the Maintenance menu.
Used third-party ink? Some models may reject non-Epson ink. Consider flushing the system with official ink.
Still stuck? Update your Epson printer firmware from the Epson support site.
Conclusion
The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 ink reset is quick and easy once you know how. Remember:
Always reset counters after refilling.
Use the LCD “Proceed” menu or the Help button to charge ink.
Keep genuine Epson 502 inks ready to avoid interruptions.
With these steps, you’ll keep your ET-3850 running smoothly—and say goodbye to false “empty ink” warnings!
👉 Get your replacement Epson 502 inks here:
Amazon Link: Epson 502 EcoTank Ink Bottles
Epson EcoTank setup or printer maintenance tips.
EcoTank vs Cartridge printers, Epson official ET-3850 support page.
