Epson ET-15000 Error 000031: Troubleshooting Power-Off and Fake Paper Jam Issues

Question:
I ran a head cleaning on my Epson ET-15000. After completing the process, I tried to power the printer back on. It turned on for a few seconds but then shut down and stayed off. Could this be related to a sensor issue, and how should I proceed?

Answer:

Let's walk through your issue carefully:

Error 000031 on Epson ET-15000

This error usually indicates a printhead carriage position error or overload, often interpreted by the printer as a paper jam, even if no jam is present. Since you experienced the printer powering on briefly and then shutting itself off, this suggests a deeper problem than just a false jam message.

Possible Causes

1. Printhead Carriage Obstruction

   • Something may still be blocking the carriage path-such as dried ink buildup, a small scrap of paper, or a foreign object that wasn't obvious during cleaning.

   • If the carriage motor senses too much resistance, the printer will stop functioning to protect itself.

2. Timing Belt or Motor Issue

   • A loose or slipping timing belt can prevent the carriage from moving smoothly. If the printer's sensors can't confirm correct movement, it can trigger error 000031 and force shutdown.

3. Sensor Malfunction

   • The carriage position sensor or paper path sensor may not be reading properly. If one of these fails, the printer may interpret it as a jam or misalignment and shut down as a safeguard.

4. Mainboard Protection Response

   • In some cases, if the mainboard detects abnormal current from the carriage motor or printhead, it may cut power to prevent further damage. This could explain why your unit shuts off after a few seconds.

How to Proceed

• Check for Physical Obstructions: Open the printer fully and carefully inspect the carriage path, capping station, and surrounding areas for hidden blockages.

• Inspect the Timing Belt: Ensure the belt is tight and not skipping teeth. A loose belt can mimic the symptoms of a jam.

• Clean or Test Sensors: If accessible, gently clean the carriage and paper sensors with a lint-free swab. A dirty or faulty sensor can trigger false jam errors.

• Electrical Check: If you're comfortable, examine the ribbon cables and connections to the printhead and carriage motor. A loose or damaged cable could cause the printer to shut off.

• Mainboard Consideration: If none of the above resolves the problem, the shutdown may be due to a mainboard issue, requiring repair or replacement.

Repairing printers can often be a hands-on process that requires specialized inspection. For this reason, we're unable to provide remote troubleshooting or sensor-level guidance. However, we do offer in-person evaluation and repair services at our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, repairs are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and there may be a waiting period of several weeks. We repair both entire printers and specific components, depending on what you need. That said, we also recognize that our services are not always the most economical. If you prefer a self-help approach, we encourage you to search our BCH Technologies YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). By using the search icon next to "About," you can quickly locate videos related to your printer model and error codes. With nearly a decade of tutorials, this is the most efficient way to find step-by-step help, and YouTube may also recommend other helpful guides from different channels.

Thank you once again for reaching out and supporting BCH Technologies. We appreciate your trust and hope this gives you a clear path forward with your Epson ET-15000 repair.