Epson L3160 Printer E-11 Error Reset Guide | Ink Pad Needs Service Fix
Are you facing the Epson L3160 Error E-11: The Ink Pad Needs Service message on your printer screen? Don’t worry, this is a common issue with Epson EcoTank printers, including the L3160 model. In this post, I will explain what this error means, why it happens, and how you can reset Epson L3160 Error E-11 using a third-party software tool called the Epson Adjustment Program.
🔎 What is the E-11 Error in Epson L3160?
The E-11 error indicates that the internal waste ink pad of your Epson printer has reached the end of its service life. The waste ink pad is a sponge-like component inside the printer that absorbs excess ink during cleaning and printing cycles.
When this pad becomes saturated, the printer automatically stops functioning to avoid ink overflow or internal damage.
⚠️ Epson’s Official Recommendation
Epson recommends that you contact an official Epson Service Center to replace the waste ink pad. Since it is a non-user-serviceable part, replacing it ensures long-term safe operation of the printer.
However, if you want to temporarily fix the issue and continue printing, you can reset the waste ink pad counter using the Epson Adjustment Program.
🛠️ How to Reset Epson L3160 E-11 Error with Adjustment Program
Follow these steps to clear the E-11 Ink Pad Needs Service error:
- Download the Epson L3160 Adjustment Program from a reliable source. (Passwords: 12345 or epson)
- Disable Antivirus or Windows Defender before running the program (otherwise it might be blocked).
- Connect your Epson L3160 printer to your computer via USB cable.
- Open the Adjustment Program and select Epson L3160 from the model list.
- Go to Waste Ink Pad Counter Reset option.
- Check the boxes and click Initialize to reset the counter.
- Restart your printer.
Your Epson L3160 should now be back to normal and ready to print again.
👉 Important Note: This reset only clears the error message by resetting the counter, but it does not physically clean or replace the waste ink pad. If the pad is truly saturated, it may need replacement later to prevent ink leakage.
🎥 Epson Repair Tutorials on YouTube
For a full step-by-step video guide and other Epson printer repair tutorials, visit my YouTube channel.
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