Epson Stylus Pro 3880
Is there a way to run epson printer with an empt cartridge?

Experienced technical support provide their insights in answering this question :
The only way is to buy a chip resetter and reset the chip on the cartridge. You can find them online for about $5. You just hold it against the cartridge until the light turns green. You do run the risk of damaging the printhead due to overheating because of no ink in it.

How to Identify and Fix Common printer Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced technical support :

To select supported Black Print Mode settings, you must first enable the option for Black Print Mode. To do this, open \Applications\Epson Software\Epson Printer Utility 4\Driver Settings and click into the check box beside Permit temporary black printing.
Method 1 – Bypassng Ink Cartridge on Epson Printer

After opening the lid, hold the ink button down. When you find the ink holer is moving to its position, then open the cartridge`s lid which is having no ink. Close it again without removing the cartridge. Close the lid and start to print.

The printer will not operate if a black ink cartridge is expended or any cartridge is removed. If a color cartridge is expended, you may be able to continue printing temporarily with black ink. It`s best to always have extra cartridges on hand.
Press the home button, if necessary. Press the left or right arrow button to select Maintenance > Reset Ink Level. Press the start button, the OK button twice, and then the start button again. Press the right or left arrow button to highlight the ink tank you refilled and press the OK button to select it.
From the Control Panel, select Printers and Devices and then Printers. Go to Quality Option and then check the box on Grayscale. Click on OK to set printing to Black & White.
The quick answer is: Yes, you can (if you own a printer model that allows it) — but you shouldn`t keep printing with an empty cartridge for too long. Why? Because running on an empty cartridge for too long can cause your printhead to overheat resulting in irreversible printer damage.
Printers that use two cartridges (one black, one tri-color) can print if one cartridge is empty. To continue printing, remove the empty cartridge from the printer. If a Single-cartridge mode message displays, select OK. If you are using the black cartridge, prints are in black and white (grayscale).
As long as your printer also has a colour cartridge, all the colours from the colour cartridge will print together to make … BLACK. You`re not going to want to keep it this way forever.
Even if you select Black/Grayscale or Grayscale in the printer software, some color ink is still being used. Epson printers contain a permanent print head that needs to be charged with all colors to work. Even when you are printing black text only, a small amount of color ink is used to keep the print head charged.
When an indicator shows low ink levels, consider having a replacement ink cartridge available to avoid possible printing delays. You do not need to replace ink cartridges until you are prompted to. In general, low ink levels should not impact print quality.
Printing in “draft” or “economy mode” uses less ink and is a great way to preserve your cartridge life and prolong cartridge replacement. If you are printing out a document like an email where print quality isn`t an important factor, switch your printer to this setting!
Print Without Black Ink Epson Printer – Windows Setting

On the Printers screen, right-click on your Epson printer and select “Printing Preferences.” A new window will open. Select the “Main” tab and then locate the “Cartridge Type” drop-down menu. Change this setting from “Black” to “Color.”

When color ink is expended and black ink still remains, you can continue printing for a short time using only black ink. However, you should replace the expended ink cartridge(s) as soon as possible.
Move your cursor and click on “Properties” and then the “Color” option. Here, choose the option “Print in Grayscale” by just hitting on its checkbox.
Because running on an empty cartridge for too long can cause your printhead to overheat resulting in irreversible printer damage. Some printers are designed to stop printing when an ink cartridge is empty.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

run with empty ink cartridge
ANSWER : The only way is to buy a chip resetter and reset the chip on the cartridge. You can find them online for about $5. You just hold it against the cartridge until the light turns green. You do run the risk of damaging the printhead due to overheating because of no ink in it.

Read Full Q/A … :

Epson Stylus Pro 3880

Expired Ink Cartridges – Any way to move paper with old cartridges?
ANSWER : You could try disconnecting the printer from the computer. Then change the date on the panel to prior to the expiration date. That should fool it.

Read Full Q/A … :

Epson Stylus Pro 3880

Why can't I use compatible 220 Ink Cartridges?
ANSWER : All cartridges have tiny chips on the exterior. The chips have to be replaced or reset for the compatibles to work correctly.

Read Full Q/A … :

Epson Stylus Pro 3880

Epson 7880 ink pump sucking ink
ANSWER : Not ink pump, but air pump, to put the ink feed under pressure.

Read Full Q/A … :

Epson Stylus Pro 3880

Toner cartridge full, printer displays: "empty needs replacing"
ANSWER : I once went to a customer who had a similar issue. They had installed new cartridges and judging from the box, they looked OEM. Strange thing was they felt empty when lifted and they were missing the chip on the outside that tells the printer it is installed and keeps track of how many copies were printed with that cartridge. The printer has no other way of knowing if the cartridge is full or empty.

Read Full Q/A … :

Epson Stylus Pro 3880

After thr carriage stop moving the ramp will not lower to load or unload the ink cartridge.
ANSWER : Could be ink buildup jamming it. Try squirting Window cleaner around the ramp. That will dissolve the ink.

Read Full Q/A … :

Epson Stylus Pro 3880

Waste Toner Cartridge is empty but printer is still telling me to replace it
ANSWER : All of the ones I’ve seen are optical. Light shines through a transparent section of the waste box onto a photocell. If toner builds up past that area, it gives a warning to replace it. Possibly toner dust has gotten on the photocell.

Read Full Q/A … :

Epson Stylus Pro 3880

ink cartridge leaked
ANSWER : I usually use a spray bottle of window cleaner and a paper towel.

Read Full Q/A … :

Epson Stylus Pro 3880