Troubleshooting a Common Printer Error: A Deeper Insight into Mechanical Problems

Printers are complex machines with numerous moving parts; even the slightest fault can hamper their operation. Today, we look at an aggravating and semi-elusive printer error: 00031 error blasting voice. This is difficult to recreate, but if you understand the mechanics, you can troubleshoot what broke.
We also made a video below where you can follow some of the steps sent out here.
Recognizing the Symptoms
It starts like any typical day: the printer powers up and shuffles through its expected calibration cycle. That all goes along just fine until it tries to park the printhead. Then, at this point, you hear a screechy noise, and then bam, the unforgivable 00031 error on the PCS de display. This issue is specific to newer models, such as the Epson ET-8550, but has also been noticed in older models, like the XP-800. To understand why this is done, you have to look under the hood of how the printer works, mainly what the paper feed mechanism looks like.

The Role of Paper Feed Rod
The paper feeding rod is also an essential part of regular operation. It sequences the critical actions of the printer, such as lifting to raise and lower system elements when printing. Here's what you need to know:

• CCW -> lowers components
• They are lifted in a clockwise motion.

The various directions are needed to control the paper's feed motion and set the height of its printhead. If these movements are blocked or misaligned, errors occur during operation.

Key Components to Inspect
To get to the bottom of the issue, we need to break down the elements involved:

1. The Lever Mechanism: It drives the printhead's height adjustment and interacts with the Automatic Platen Gap (APG) mechanism. When an error like this occurs, a misaligned or stuck lever is often the cause.
2. APG (Automatic Platen Gap): The APG also establishes the distance of the print carriage from the platen. Any misalignment here can prevent the printer from completing its startup sequence.
3. Motors: A standard printer has two significant motors. These motors drive all necessary movements, from printhead travel to paper feed systems. If they do not sync, that can be a problem.

Why the Error Happens
The issue is that the printer cannot find its home position at startup. The printhead moves from left to right and engages a lever to determine its location. In its proper functional state, the lever lowers to permit the printhead parking. But if the lever gets stuck in the wrong position, it prevents the printer from calibrating, resulting in an error 00031. Contributing factors to this may be:

• Loose or broken springs.
• Something in the way of the path of the lever
• Old, Unaligned parts

Practical Solutions to Try
It may seem like a nasty problem to fix, but there are some solutions you can try.
Manual Lever Adjustment: A few users have been able to activate the lever on startup manually. This will reset the system and allow the printer to run through its cycle.
Temporary Tape Fix: One makeshift solution is to use tape to hold the lever in position. This could also stop it from getting into a difficult spot. This fix will come at the cost of being unable to APG-adjust (among other functions). When the machine has booted, remove the tape to allow regular operation.
Checking Springs and Joints: Weak or not appropriately connected springs will stall the lever's movement. Examine these parts well and change them if necessary.

When All Else Fails
However, not every 00031 error is caused by this particular problem. A broken/off-circuit IFFC cable could also cause the same error code to be thrown. If you have tried the solutions above and it still needs to be fixed, consider looking at other causes or calling a professional technician.
If you'd prefer to watch instead of read, we've included a video below that shows these troubleshooting steps in action.

Maintaining Your Printer
It may prevent future issues from arising. Here are a few things to do to keep your printer working correctly:
Regular Cleaning: Dust and dirt can block mechanical components. Another essential aspect is to clean the internals of your printer, particularly around the paper feed rod and lever mechanism.
Inspect Moving Parts: Regularly Inspect For Wear—If you're using springs, you will want to ensure they are not becoming loose. If belts are necessary in your build, you must also check those for fraying. Taking care of these concerns can prevent significant problems later on.
Use Quality Supplies: Quality inks and papers, such as those available at BCH Technologies, can help reduce wear on your printer components.

With knowledge of your printer mechanics and the steps to take, you can combat errors such as 00031. Check out the rest of our site for more printer repair advice and product recommendations, or stop by Greensboro, North Carolina.