Replace XP520-XP540 waste ink pads and double the waste pad capacity

If you own an XP520, XP530 or XP540 chances are you have already or will hit the "Waste ink pads in the printer are at the end of their service life" error or similar.

Frustratingly Epson opted to provide these printers with half the waste pad capacity of other printers so these printers hit the waste ink error much much earlier than other printers of the same generation and this issue is covered in more detail here:

This instruction video focuses on how you can fix the error using our XP2 Printer Pad set to replace the waste pads in your printer and benefit from the full capacity available in the pad holder.

You'll also need to reset the waste ink counter and this is covered through our WICReset playlist for various different operating systems:

Please feel free to comment, like and share this video.. all constructive feedback is more than welcome and we'll do what we can to help if you have questions too.

[annastanley-smith]

Just wanted to say THANK YOU SO, SO MUCH for posting this video. My Dad's XP540 had this dreaded error message and nothing he did could get the printer working again - for printing or for scanning. He was about to have to throw the whole thing away and buy another printer - a painful enough experience in its own right - when I asked if I could take a look to make sure there was nothing else we could do before binning it. I found your video here and was able to follow your wonderfully clear instructions to get access to the waste pad holder and remove the sodden waste pads.

After seeing the half-pads that Epson supplied really didn't use the ink waste reserve efficiently at all, I went ahead and purchased the full-pad set that you supply, along with the reset key, which all arrived promptly. Again, following your instructions on fitting the pads, reassembling the printer, and using the reset software, I was able to successfully fix the printer!

We're really very grateful - we were able to fix this printer for under £20, when otherwise it would have had to be thrown away and we'd have to buy a new one, which is better for the environment and also our finances! It seems a massive shame that so many of these machines must get destroyed/recycled when they can be relatively easily fixed to have a much longer useful life. Furthermore, I find it very cheeky that Epson only give half the ink pad reserve than they could do, unethically shorting the life of the printer it appears, so that you may have to buy another machine earlier than technically necessary. Also, shutting down ALL functions of the printer, including the scanner, for full ink waste pads seems completely unnecessary.

To anyone else experiencing this error message with these printers - it's definitely worth watching this video and following the instructions to reset this error rather than buying a new printer.

Thank you again.

[Terra_Divina]

Thank you for not polluyour video with pointless plastic-music. Your voice is so soothing, could listen whatever you‘d be talking about… 🙏

[gillesgomez]

Thank you very much. I got a message some weeks ago from the printer software, telling me my ink pads were about to be replaced and I should contact my local Epson repair center blah blah blah. Went to Google, found the Printer Potty pads, ordered them... and voilà. It took me no more than the duration of the video to replace the pads with the new ones (thanks to the perfectly clear explanations). Then run the software, follow strictly the guidelines and now my printer is ready for some more years (hopefully).
Thanks again for helping us to keep our "old stuff" alive.

[midnightanimal]

Easy to follow, watched once and did it while rewatching it, only tricky bit was getting the wastepad holder out, but that was it.

[robertmonte]

Fantastic comments regarding replacing the waste pads in an Epson XP-630. I just completed the replacement of the pads and reset the waste pad recount. I have a helpful hint myself. In cleaning out the ink reservoir I used Oxi Clean Laundry Stain Remover. With the soiled pads removed, spray Oxi Clean in, swish it around, pour the blackened water in a bucket. It'll clean it so completely, even using a towel to dry the inside you won't have any black ink on the towel. Thanks again for your very detailed instructions.

[mushtaqmohammed]

After my Xp540 displayed this error. I was initially quite sceptical about this product.

I decided to buy the bundle of pads + key. Process to replace pads and reset key was very simple and well explained by their videos.

I am glad I came across this product. My printer now has a new life for under £20.

[cfscott]

One of the best Youtube presentations I have seen! Thank you so much!

[TheWebtuts]

A big thank you, on a great instructional video and product. Ordered yesterday, received the replacement felt and reset-key this morning and it took me about 30 minutes to dismantle printer, remove cleanout and replace felt and then followed instructions on the email for the key and reset. I did have to turn on and off my printer a couple of times but it all worked and it’s printing again. 👍⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[KawaiI_DIY_SS]

Wow, as a mum doing it on her own.. Running a business here in Australia. This video was an absolute God send. Thankyou so much.

I ordered the waste pads. (which arrived extremely fast)

Then followed these super easy steps.

I love that this printer didn't end up in land fill too. As it works great.

Thanks again

[paulag]

Many thanks. I was just about to ditch my XP-530 and buy a new printer. New pads and reset key saved me about £120. Great easy to follow video.

[rjmcdonald]

Thanks for this. Your kit and this video has my XP-530 up and running again. If I hadn't just purchased replacement cartriges I might very well have tossed the printer when the "Ink Pad Full" error showed up.

[grahamblackett]

Fantastic tutorial, thank you, I now feel like a technician and job done!

[VickyK]

Thank you so much.. ive had my printer for years, its easy to use and never had any major issues until the stupid ink pad error came up. Couldn't find any ink pads anywhere in Australia so had to order online and followed your instructions to a tee.
Ridiculous! I wasnt going to spend more money buying a new printer when this printer works perfectly fine for what I want to do.

Thanks again🙌

[RandyMarchinko]

This is an excellent instructional video. Very clear, informative, straightforward and easy to follow. Thank you.

[ianmackay]

excellent clear instructions. Changed my pads without even getting ink on my hands. cost me about £7 pads and wic. Epson want £50 ish to do this. Thank you very pleased

[helene]

Thank you so much !!!! You saved my printer. The tutorials are absolutely perfect. I received the kit and the key rapidly and followed the tutorials and my printer works ! I hate my Epson printer because there is always something going wrong. I used to buy non Epson cartridges but it suddenly stopped taking them because as soon as I installed them they would show empty, so, I just bought 4 brand new Epson ink cartridges (the 3 colours + photo black, because the silly printer won’t print plain black without all the other cartridges that I don’t use but still empties them with time) and as soon as I installed them, it told me the waste was full, and I was so frustrated !!!

[jjbb]

I have truly to thank you! I managed to do everything, also to reset the printer with my mac. I'm happy not to be forced to buy another printer, because I was happy with my Epson XP540. I wish all the best :D

[rodolforegis]

Thanks a lot Martin. You are a perfect teacher. The replacement went very smooth thanks to your clear explanations .

[brianwhorlow-obqf]

Thanks for the great video, another printer has been prevented from unnecessary scrapping. Epson should be ashamed for this redundancy product engineering, and for not providing proper support on their own website. Epson clearly don't want to help existing customers to solve the issue, they're hoping customers will give up and buy a replacement printer. Shocking attitude; we need to save the planet!

[gregmason]

Thank you for this excellent video. Used it today to get my XP540 running again - in a hurry, things only breakdown when you NEED them. Call Epson technical help - Epson wanted £48 and 5-10 working days to repair/replace pad and reset