Epson Error W-10: Ink cartridge expended or not installed right
✅ Usually fixable yourself
On older Stylus models, W-10 means an ink cartridge is expended or is installed incorrectly.
What to try
- If a cartridge is expended, replace it.
- If you just replaced a cartridge, press Start to move the cartridges to the replacement position.
- Press down on all installed cartridges so they are seated.
- Press Start to continue.
When it needs a technician
If the error stays after reseating the cartridges, contact Epson support.
Which models show W-10
Epson documents this code for models including Stylus NX420W, Stylus NX330.
Varies by model: On the Stylus NX330, W-10 is described only as cartridges installed incorrectly; reinstall or replace the cartridge shown on the screen.
First steps for any printer error
- Write down the exact code before you do anything else — similar-looking codes often mean completely different things.
- Power the printer off, unplug it for a couple of minutes, then power it back on. A surprising number of transient errors clear here.
- Open the covers and check for paper scraps, packaging material, or anything blocking the carriage.
- Check the cartridges or tanks are genuine, correctly seated, and not empty.
- Confirm the printer is plugged directly into a wall outlet, not a power strip or extension lead.
- Check your model’s own manual — codes are model-specific, and the manual is the authority for your machine.
Source: Epson User's Guide - Stylus NX420W, Check Error Codes. Codes are model-specific, so your own model's manual is the final word. Reviewed October 2026.
Still showing W-10?
Tell our printer technician your model and what you've tried. You'll find out whether it's fixable at home or worth repairing at all.
Ask about my printer — $1Eric Paul Amora · Printer & Hardware Repair Technician
Related Epson codes
E-02 — Scanner errorW-02 — Paper jammed inside the printerW-03 — Paper jamW-04 — Cartridge cover is openW-05 — Paper out or multiple sheets fedW-12 — Ink cartridge installed incorrectlyW-30 — Memory card problemI-11 — No memory card insertedI-60 — Computer may not support WSD scanningE-11 — Ink pad at end of service lifeW-11 — Ink pad nearing end of service lifeE-01 — Printer error (general fatal error)