Question:
My Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is making noise and won't feed paper. I watched one of your videos about replacing the shaft Ld, but in my case, that part isn't broken. The wheel on the right side still turns, but the broken piece shown in your video looks fine on mine. What could be causing this, and how can I fix it?
The issue you described - paper not feeding while the printer makes noise - usually points to a mechanical obstruction or a slippage issue within the paper feed system. The fact that the shaft Ld (the long shaft that connects the rollers) isn't broken is good news. However, the problem may lie elsewhere within the feed assembly or with one of the associated sensors.
Here are the most likely causes and steps to check:
The feed roller, which grips and pulls the paper into the printer, may be dirty or worn out. If it slips, the printer's motor will turn (creating noise), but no paper will be pulled in.
Fix:
Turn off and unplug your printer.
Open the rear paper feed area and inspect the gray feed rollers.
Clean them with a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with water or isopropyl alcohol.
Rotate the rollers manually to clean their entire surface.
Allow them to dry for a few minutes, then test the printer again.
Even if the shaft isn't broken, the gear train connected to it might be misaligned or partially jammed. This can cause the printer to make a "clicking" or "grinding" noise while failing to feed paper.
Fix:
Remove any visible debris, paper scraps, or pieces of label backing stuck in the feed path.
If you hear a repetitive clicking, it could mean a tooth is missing on one of the gears.
In some cases, the paper pickup gear (near the right side where you mentioned the wheel turns) may have loosened. You may need to carefully reseat or replace it.
Epson printers sometimes display internal error codes, even if they're not shown on-screen during startup. A failing paper feed sensor can cause the printer to behave as though no paper is present, even when it is.
Fix:
Power off the printer and unplug it for five minutes to reset the sensors.
Reconnect power and try a test print.
If you've previously encountered codes like 0x97, 0xEA, or E-11, these are related to mechanical or feed errors. Persistent issues may require a feed sensor or encoder strip replacement.
The printer's encoder components - a transparent strip and/or disk that track movement - can accumulate ink mist or dust. When these are dirty, the printer may misread positioning, making noises as it tries to adjust.
Fix:
Locate the clear plastic encoder strip behind the printhead and gently clean it using a cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol.
Avoid pulling or scratching the strip.
Wipe gently until any ink residue is removed.
Sometimes, a small obstruction in the carriage path (like a piece of paper or dried ink buildup) can indirectly cause the feed rollers to stop responding correctly.
Fix:
Move the printhead gently by hand (with the printer unplugged) to ensure smooth travel.
Check for any debris, especially under the carriage path or near the paper exit rollers.
Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Therefore, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given high demand, repairs are conducted on a first-come, first-served basis and may take a few weeks. Our services can cover full printer restoration or specific part repairs, depending on the situation. However, since our rates may not be the lowest, we highly recommend self-help through online research.
You can begin by visiting our YouTube channel homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) and using the search icon next to "About" to find relevant videos. We've created hundreds of tutorials over the past nine years, so using the YouTube search function is the fastest way to find content related to your printer model. YouTube might also suggest additional videos from other creators that can further assist you.
Thank you again for reaching out and for your continued support. We appreciate your patience, and we're always here to help guide you toward restoring your printer's performance.
