Continuous Paper Jam Errors on Epson L3150: Common Causes & Solutions

Question:

Why is my Epson L3150 showing a continuous paper jam error?
I’m facing a continuous paper jam issue with my Epson L3150 printer. Even though there are no foreign objects in the paper path or where the printhead moves, the printer displays a paper jam error. The paper advances halfway and then jams after printing a few lines. When I manually turn the small wheel under the paper feed area, it turns hard. Is this normal? What parts should I check to fix this issue?

Answer:
The constant paper jam you always face on Epson L3150 may only be caused by a paper feeding problem. Worse than that, having the paper stuck halfway is not always because of obstruction, whether in the printer or the paper path. The little wheel you are thinking of is probably the platen roller. It must turn smoothly, so if it’s difficult to twist, dried ink, dust, or debris may have built up beneath it. I recommend cleaning the rollers with a damp, lint-free cloth to remove any buildup.

Another possible culprit is the encoder strip that reads the printhead movement. If this strip becomes dirty or smudged, the position can be misread, resulting in errors. Use a soft cloth to gently clean the encoder strip you can access beyond the printhead to ensure it is free from dirt or ink residue. Another thing to try if the rollers still feel stiff or the problem persists is a faulty paper feed sensor or possibly even the carriage belt. You can check these parts, too, if you dare to see any noticeable damage/wear.

Diagnosing printer issues like these can be a complicated and hands-on job, given the individual nature of each printer, and because the problem can arise in several different parts. Unfortunately, we cannot offer remote diagnosis or support for repairs. We provide a walk-in evaluation and repair service at our local diagnostic lab. Repairs are conducted on a first-come, first-served basis due to the high volume of repairs received. It may be several weeks before we can accommodate your printer. We can fix both the total printer & the replacement component definition and guide you very simply.

We highly recommend online groups– YouTube is  excellent for helping people. To get started, we highly recommend checking our YouTube channel. We have made tons of videos that can help you check for issues. I get so many questions daily about specific things, and while I often can’t remember every video, your best option is to search on YouTube. Other channels are also quite good for problem-solving. So, thanks again for the question (and another shoutout to the others). Reach out if you need more!