Epson EcoTank Error 000031 – No Printing Functions Available

Question:

My Epson EcoTank printer is giving an error message and won’t print. Although the message says there’s no foreign object inside, it still acts like it has a paper jam. It also shows an error message that no printing features are available. I’ve looked inside the printer but don’t see anything obstructing it. Could you assist me in debugging this problem?

Answer:

Now, let us move on to troubleshooting the EcoTank Error 000031 and the issue of paper jam/no printing features being available.

About EcoTank Error 000031 and No Printing Features Available

The EcoTank Error 000031 is a general hardware error that can be caused by several problems, including;

CR (Carriage Return) Encoder sensor failure

PF (Paper Feed) Sensor issues

Paper End Sensor (PE Sensor) issues

We have a sensor that also gives input related to paper width (PW Sensor).

Object stuck into the printer, foreign

Contamination or misalignment of an encoder strip

Even if the printer indicates no foreign object, the sensors might misidentify it due to dust, misalignment, or malfunctioning inside.

Epson EcoTank Error 000031 and Paper Jam Problem Solution

Inspect for Foreign Objects (Even if the Printer Claims None Are Inside)

Still worthwhile to check inside even if your printer says no foreign object is inside. Just a tiny piece of paper, a staple, or some ink buildup can lead to an incorrect reading of a paper jam.

✅ What to Do:

Power off the printer and unplug it.

Open all access doors and check inside with a flashlight.

Inspect the paper path, rollers and the carriage area for tiny debris.

Blow dust out with compressed air or a vacuum that may be blocking sensors.

Check Carriage Return (CR) Encoder Sensor

This CR encoder sensor tracks the position of the printhead carriage on the printer. One of the most popular fixes is to check the food sensor; if it is dirty or damaged, the printer can freeze with an error message.

✅ What to Do:

To clean the CR encoder strip (a thin plastic strip behind the printhead), use a lint-free cloth and some isopropyl alcohol.

Be sure that the strip is tensioned and seated correctly.

If the problem continues, you should replace the CR encoder sensor.

Paper Feed (PF) Sensor Check

The PF sensor senses whether the paper is moving, so it can also trigger a false paper jam if it’s not working.

✅ What to Do:

Take all paper out of the tray and reload correctly.

Dust buildup on the paper feed rollers is removed with a damp cloth.

If your printer has a rear feed, ensure there’s no paper misaligned or jammed up.

TEST THE PAPER END (PE) SENSOR

The PE sensor detects the absence of paper in the printer. If it is dirty or out of alignment, it may believe that no paper is loaded, even though it is.

✅ What to Do:

Please remove the paper from the sensor and blow it out with air or clean it with a dry Q-tip.

Some glossy or transparent sheets might not be detected correctly; hence, watch out for this.

Check Power Width (PW) Sensor

✅ What to Do:

You could try putting a piece of opaque tape on the back edge of the paper to assist the sensor in reading it correctly.

If the sensor is dirty, use a dry cloth to clean it carefully.

Hard Reset the Printer (i.e. clear the memory)

If nothing else works, sometimes a printer reset clears error messages and gets printers functioning again.

✅ How To Reset Your Epson EcoTank Printer:

Unplug the printer from power and power it down.

Press and hold the “Stop” or “Reset” button as you plug the printer back in.

Hold it for ten to fifteen seconds and then let go.

The printer will go into reset mode — follow any on-screen prompts.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

If you still see Error 000031 on your Epson EcoTank printer after these troubleshooting steps, the problem is likely a bad sensor or motherboard. If so, you will need to replace the encoder sensor, carriage unit, or mainboard.

✅ Recommended Steps:

Check for foreign objects (even tiny dust or debris can cause a false jam).

Check the CR encoder strip (clean, align, if needed).

Check PF, PE, and PW to see if they are clean and working.

Try to do a hard reset to fix any errors caused by the firmware.

Extra Assistance for Printer Repairs

Because printer repairs are “hands-on,” we cannot troubleshoot or provide support remotely. However, we offer in-person diagnostics and on-site maintenance at our local diagnostic centre, BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service.

Our service is first come, first served, so there could be a delay before we can service your printer. We also offer full printers and parts, with detailed information for customers who prefer to repair their devices. We acknowledge that our pricing is not the most budget-friendly, and we recommend use of DIY troubleshooting techniques whenever possible.

You can find this under the search icon (🔍) next to “About” for videos on Epson error codes, paper jam troubleshooting, and broken sensor repair.

Additional thank you and urge to keep going.

I realize printer troubleshooting can be exasperating, especially when the error messages don’t align with what is wrong. I hope this article helps you troubleshoot your Epson EcoTank printer, so you can get it back up and running again.

Let me know if you have any updates or additional questions. Happy printing and once again, thank you for your support!