Run the tube outside the printer frame into a small plastic bottle or container placed next to the printer.
To make the printer work again, you must reset this digital counter back to 0% and ideally clean or replace the physical pads.
Even if you reset the counter successfully without touching the pads:
Your red flashing lights should now be gone, and the printer status on your computer should read "Ready to Print." Alternative Tool: WIC Reset Utility epson l386 ink pad reset
The Epson L386, like many modern inkjet printers, uses a built-in maintenance box or a series of absorbent pads located at the bottom of the printer. These pads collect excess ink during the cleaning cycles, print head alignment, and borderless printing.
The printer keeps a "Waste Ink Counter" in its firmware to track how much ink has been used. When the count reaches 100%, the printer triggers a hardware lock (the flashing lights).
This comprehensive guide explains why this happens, how to safely reset the internal counter using an adjustment program, and how to handle the physical ink pads. Understanding the Waste Ink Pad Error Run the tube outside the printer frame into
Step-by-Step Guide to Reset the Epson L386 Waste Ink Counter
Locate the clear rubber tube inside the back compartment that dumps ink into the pads. Carefully pull this tube out of the pad housing. Connect it to a longer piece of flexible aquarium tubing.
Temporarily disable your Windows Defender or antivirus software if it flags the tool as a false positive (common with service utilities). These pads collect excess ink during the cleaning
Click on the Particular Adjustment Mode button on the right side of the screen.
Wash the pads under warm running water until the water runs clear. Warning: Wear rubber gloves and do this in a sink that won't stain easily.
Connect your Epson L386 to your computer using a standard USB cable. Wi-Fi or network resets are unstable and can corrupt the printer firmware.