Bottle systems vs cartridges
Epson 664 and the newer 004-series bottles feed EcoTank and some WorkForce printers directly into visible ink tanks — no cartridge chip to replace. The "ink low" warning is driven by the printer's tank-level estimate, which is why it does not always clear instantly after a refill.
Keep the ink bottle you are using for refills, but never top up a tank with a different colour or a different ink formulation.
Step 1: prepare and identify the tanks
Open the ink tank cover and identify the colour ports (black, cyan, magenta, yellow). Black uses the larger tank. Remove only the cap of the colour you are refilling — leaving other ports open risks dust and accidental spills.
Step 2: fill to the line, then run the reset
Pour slowly and stop at the upper fill line — overfilling causes leakage into the printer. After refilling, most EcoTank models require you to press and hold the ink reset button (or select "Refill Ink" in the driver) until the printer confirms the tanks are full.
If the low-ink warning persists after reset, power-cycle the printer. The level estimate only recalibrates after a completed reset cycle.
Common mistakes that damage the printhead
Mixing colours, filling above the line, and using third-party ink with incompatible particle size are the top causes of blocked nozzles. Run a nozzle check after refilling; if lines are missing, run the head cleaning cycle once — repeated cleaning wastes ink and stresses the printhead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reset the ink level after refilling Epson 664?
Refill to the line, then press and hold the ink reset button until the tank-full message appears, or confirm the refill in the printer driver. Power-cycle if the warning stays.
Can I use any ink in an Epson EcoTank?
Use ink matching the printer's formulation (664/004 class). Mismatched ink can clog nozzles and void support expectations — buy from suppliers who state formulation compatibility.
Why does my Epson still show low ink after a full refill?
The level is an estimate that resets only after you complete the ink reset procedure. If it persists after a proper reset and power cycle, run a nozzle check for a blocked printhead.
