Epson 8550 DTF Conversion: Fixing Paper Jam Errors and Continuous Paper Feeding Issues

Question:

I converted my Epson 8550 to DTF about a week ago, but no prints atysd. I’m constantly getting a paper jam error, and when my printer does feed paper, it just goes on pulling sheets through without printing anything. How can I fix this?

Answer:

Discerning the Epson 8550 Paper Jam Error and Continuous Paper Feeding Problem

When converting an Epson 8550 to a DTF printer, many things can go wrong, resulting in the following errors:

False Paper Jam Error: The printer mistakenly senses a jam even if it doesn’t.

Continuous Paper Feeding: The printer keeps sucking paper but fails to identify it properly and ends up wasting sheets without any prints.

Possible Causes and Fixes

Test the paper sensor and the encoder strip

The second sensor is a paper sensor that will check whether paper is in place. If that’s dirty or out of alignment, the printer will falsely tell you that it has jammed, or it won’t detect the paper,”

The encoder strip is a thin piece of plastic film that the printer reads to figure out where the printhead is. If it’s dirty or ink smudged, it can cause unpredictable feeding behavior.

Solution: Clean the Paper Sensor and Encoder Strip with Isopropyl AlcoholSolution: Use a lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher) to gently clean the paper sensor and encoder strip. Ensure there are no remaining smudges or dusts.

Inspecting the DTF Film Path and Feeding Mechanism

When using DTF film, ensure it is loaded correctly. DTF film is stiffer than regular paper, so the printer’s rollers may have difficulty gripping it properly.

While some users modify the paper sensor or rollers to hold DTF sheets more precisely, this can lead to feeding problems.

Fix: Use a backing sheet behind the DTF transfer film to help the rollers grip it best. Be sure the printer’s rear feed mechanism is working properly, too.

Make Sure the ASF and Rollers Are Clean

Ink or dust buildup on the rollers may cause the paper not to feed properly.]

The ASF may not be gripping the film so feeding continually.

Solution: Wipe the rollers with a damp lint-free cloth with isopropyl alcohol. Let them dry before you try another print.

Confirm Firmware and Driver Configurations

Recent printer firmware updates may disrupt aftermarket modifications (such as DTF conversion).

Fix: Check if there is an option to roll back to a previous firmware version. Also, make sure that your printer driver settings match the media type (e.g., choose “Photo Paper” rather than standard paper).

Check the Printhead Capping Station & Maintenance Unit

Incorrectly aligning the printhead capping station functions can cause feeding problems.

You should also check the maintenance tank — if filled with waste ink, it can lead to error.

Solution: Clean the capping station manually and verify if the maintenance unit is filled. If so, replace or reset it.

Final Thoughts

Printer-technical glitches like paper jams and continuous feeding of the paper, can be more annoying than anything as the 8550 epson is converted for DTF printing. Once you identify the problem by inspecting the sensor and rollers, encoder strip, and firmware settings, you can get back to printing.

Printer issues can be a frustrating experience due to the physical nature of the issues. Therefore, we cannot offer remote troubleshooting, recommendations, or assistance in fixing printers. We provide onsite evaluation and repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service), and with the demand it is first come first serve so it could take a couple of weeks for us to be able to reach your printer. We provide step-by-step guidance on whether to repair the whole printer or specific parts However, our rates are somewhat expensive, and we strongly recommend that customers research a lot through online resources themselves. Search for troubleshooting videos on our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) based on your queries.

And thanks again for getting in touch, and for your support! If you need additional help, please let us know. Happy printing!