Epson printers are widely trusted for their high-quality prints, user-friendly features, and advanced technology. However, many users report issues after updating their printer drivers or firmware. One common problem is that numbers and words are not printing correctly after an Epson update. This issue can disrupt both personal and professional work, leaving users frustrated. The good news is that the problem is usually software-related and can be resolved with proper troubleshooting. In this guide, we’ll explain why this happens and provide effective solutions to fix it.
After a driver or firmware update, your printer’s communication with the computer may change. This can lead to incorrect formatting or print output issues. The most common causes include:
Incompatible or corrupted printer drivers after update
Incorrect print settings in the driver software
Font rendering issues with certain applications
Miscommunication between operating system and printer
Outdated firmware conflicting with newly installed drivers
Printhead alignment or calibration errors
Application-specific bugs triggered by updates
Understanding these causes is the first step toward applying the right solution.
Before diving deeper into fixes, perform these quick checks:
Restart both your printer and computer.
Try printing a test page to confirm whether the problem is with text and numbers only or with all content.
Verify that your printer has sufficient ink and that cartridges are installed correctly.
Attempt printing from a different application or device to isolate the problem.
A corrupted or incompatible driver is the most common cause of this issue. To fix:
Open Device Manager on your Windows computer.
Expand the Printers section.
Right-click on your Epson printer and choose Uninstall device.
Restart your system and reinstall the driver from the official Epson website.
If the problem began right after an update, try rolling back to the previous version of the driver:
In Device Manager, right-click your Epson printer.
Select Properties > Driver tab.
Click Roll Back Driver if available.
Incorrect printer settings may cause misalignment of text and numbers.
Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
Right-click your Epson printer and select Printing Preferences.
Ensure the correct paper size, layout, and print quality are selected.
Check that “Fit to Page” or scaling options are properly set.
If numbers or letters look distorted, blurred, or misaligned, a printhead alignment may fix the issue.
Open the Epson printer utility on your computer.
Select Printhead Alignment.
Follow the on-screen instructions to align the nozzles correctly.
Sometimes, the issue may not be driver-related but due to clogged nozzles affecting black text output.
Open Epson Printer Utility.
Choose Nozzle Check to print a test page.
If lines are missing or broken, run Head Cleaning.
Repeat until the output is clear and sharp.
A faulty firmware update may also cause printing errors. Visit the Epson support website, download the latest firmware, and reinstall it. If the issue started after a firmware update, contact Epson support to check if a rollback is available.
Sometimes, certain software applications don’t handle updated drivers properly. Try printing from another application (for example, print the same document from Word instead of PDF software) to check if the problem persists.
If none of the above steps work, resetting the printer can restore it to default configuration. Most Epson printers have a reset option in the settings menu. Alternatively, press and hold the reset button on the back of the printer (if available) for a few seconds.
Both Windows and Mac devices provide built-in troubleshooting utilities:
Windows: Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, select your Epson printer, and click Run the troubleshooter.
macOS: Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, remove the Epson printer, and then add it again.
This often resolves driver and communication errors.
Always download drivers and firmware directly from the official Epson website.
Avoid third-party or generic drivers that may cause compatibility issues.
Regularly check for Epson software updates but install them only when stable.
Keep your operating system updated to ensure compatibility with Epson updates.
Perform routine maintenance like nozzle checks and head cleaning.
If your Epson printer continues to print numbers and words incorrectly after all troubleshooting attempts, it may be a deeper software or hardware issue. In such cases, contacting Epson Support is the best option. They can guide you through advanced troubleshooting, provide patch updates, or arrange professional repair services.
It can be frustrating when numbers and words do not print correctly after an Epson update, especially when you rely on your printer for important tasks. However, the problem is usually caused by corrupted drivers, firmware conflicts, or printhead misalignment. By reinstalling drivers, cleaning printheads, updating firmware, and adjusting print settings, you can resolve the issue quickly. Preventive maintenance and cautious updates will also help you avoid similar problems in the future. For persistent errors, Epson’s 24/7 customer support is always available to provide expert guidance.