Restore Epson WorkForce 42 in Minutes – Waste Ink Counter Reset Tutorial
Epson WorkForce 42 displaying E11 / Service required? That’s the waste ink counter. Fix it fast with WicReset Connect. Keys from 6 EUR. Requires USB on Windows 7–11.
Typical Signs on Epson WorkForce 42
- Printer refuses to print, LEDs flashing.
- Shows Error E11 or Service required.
- Displays warning: Ink Pad Needs Service.
Why Epson WorkForce 42 stops
The device tracks waste ink usage with a waste ink counter. Once it hits its limit, Epson WorkForce 42 blocks printing to prevent overflow. Resetting this counter restores printing. This error doesn’t always mean pads are physically saturated.
Quick facts – Epson WorkForce 42 reset
| Model | Error | Solution | OS | Reset time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epson WorkForce 42 | Error E11 / Ink Pad Needs Service | WicReset Connect | Windows 7–11 (USB only) | ~2 minutes |
Download reset tool & driver
No verified official Epson driver found for Epson WorkForce 42. Please refer to Epson Setup Navi for compatible software.
Video tutorial
Available in many languages with narration.
Reset steps for Epson WorkForce 42
- Connect Epson WorkForce 42 to your PC via USB cable.
- Launch WicReset Connect and ensure the printer is detected.
- Buy a reset key, input it, and click Reset.
- Wait ~2 minutes, then turn the printer off and on again.
FAQ – Epson WorkForce 42
Why “Service required” returns soon after reset?
Heavy cleaning or intensive printing quickly raises the counter.
Will an external tank help?
It can delay saturation in heavy-duty use; optional, not mandatory.
Can I downgrade firmware to reset?
Not necessary — WicReset works at the service counter level.
Do trial keys fully unlock?
No — they reduce the counter partially (80–90%).
Can I move the printer during reset?
Avoid movement; keep USB stable until done.
Tips for Epson WorkForce 42 reset
- Reset around ~95% to avoid full lock.
- Reduce unnecessary head cleanings.
- Use a short, high-quality USB cable for stability.
This page is dedicated to Epson WorkForce 42 reset instructions using WicReset Connect.
What you need
- WicReset Connect key (only about €6 – the cheapest option)
- Windows PC
- USB cable
Time required
About 2 minutes
Difficulty
Very easy
Works for errors
- Epson: E10, E11, E12, E91 and similar service errors
- Canon: 1700, 5800 and similar waste ink / support code errors
- Messages like “Waste ink counter full”, “Ink pad at the end of its service life”
Supported printer series
Epson: Artisan, B / BX, C / CX, D / DX, EP / EW, EcoTank (ET), K, L-series, M / ME, N / NX, P / PX / PM, Photo, R / RX, S / SC / SX, T / TX, WorkForce / WF and many other popular series.
Reset Epson ink pad service
If your Epson shows messages like “Ink pad is at the end of its service life”, “Ink pad service required” or “Waste ink pad full”, you can reset the Epson ink pad service using a WicReset Connect key. The program resets the internal waste ink counter, so the printer works again without visiting a service center.
- Fixes “Epson ink pad service” / “Service required” warnings in a few minutes.
- Works as a reset Epson ink pad service solution for most EcoTank, L-series, ET-series, XP, WF and Stylus printers.
- No hardware resetter needed – only a Windows PC, USB cable and WicReset Connect.
FAQ (short)
Q: Do I need to replace the physical ink pad?
A: In most home and office cases you only reset the waste ink counter with WicReset Connect and keep using the printer normally.
Q: Is this a one-time reset?
A: Each key resets the counter once. You can repeat the procedure in the future with another key if the message appears again.

