This article explains fluid overuse warnings, what causes excessive solvent or ink consumption, and how to reset and balance the VMS system.
What this means
Your printer’s Viscosity Monitoring System (VMS) is reporting that it’s using more solvent or ink than expected to maintain proper viscosity.
Common causes of fluid overuse
| Cause | Fix |
|---|---|
| System overcompensating for thick ink | Run Clean Ink System and reset VMS |
| Leaking or evaporating fluids | Check seals, lids, and tank connectors |
| Incorrect ink-solvent pairing | Verify fluid part numbers and compatibility |
| Faulty viscosity sensor or timer loop | Reboot printer and monitor next cycle |
How to reset and fix
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Top off ink and makeup tanks
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Reboot printer to reset VMS timers
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Run a Clean Ink System if ink has thickened
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Check VMS settings via
System > Diagnostics > Viscosity Timer
Tips to reduce consumption
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Keep printer covered and cool (heat = evaporation)
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Use genuine Needham fluids with the correct volatility rating
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Don’t leave the head exposed when idle