Epson ET-8550 Paper Feed Issue After Printhead Cleaning - How to Fix It

Question:
When I run a printhead cleaning on my Epson ET-8550, the printer tries to push paper through at the end of the cycle. I attached a video of what it's doing. Which part do I need to order to fix this issue, or what should I do?

Answer:

From the description and the video, it looks like your printer is completing the printhead cleaning cycle and then attempting to perform a nozzle check. At this stage, the printer should print a test pattern to show you whether the nozzles are firing correctly. While the ET-8550 normally uses the rear feeder for many jobs, nozzle check patterns are typically pulled from the bottom tray.

Here are the key points to consider:

1. Paper Source Behavior

   • The fact that your printer is trying to pull paper from the bottom tray is normal for nozzle check prints.

   • If the tray were not properly inserted, the machine would usually display an error like "no paper in the bottom tray," so the printer seems to detect the tray correctly.

2. Paper Pickup Problem

   • Since the printer is not able to grab paper, the likely issue lies with the paper feed mechanism that pulls sheets from the bottom tray.

   • Common culprits include worn pickup rollers or a misaligned paper tray. If rollers are dirty, the printer may struggle to grip the paper.

3. Troubleshooting Steps

   • First, remove the tray and check that the paper is loaded correctly and not overfilled.

   • Inspect the rollers for dirt, dust, or ink residue. A clean, lint-free cloth slightly dampened with water (or a rubber roller cleaning solution) can help restore grip.

   • Make sure you are using the correct type of paper in the tray-too thin, thick, or glossy sheets can sometimes cause feeding issues.

4. Parts Replacement

   • If cleaning doesn't resolve the problem, you may need to replace the paper feed rollers or the tray feed assembly for the bottom tray.

   • Epson does not always make these parts easy to source individually, but replacement kits for paper feed assemblies are sometimes available through printer part suppliers.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Because of this, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We do, however, offer an in-person diagnostic and repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Please note that this service is first-come, first-served, and depending on demand, it could take a few weeks before we can process your printer. We can repair entire printers or individual parts and provide instructions on how to proceed. That said, our rates are not always the most budget-friendly, so many customers prefer to try self-repair. A great starting point is doing research on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to the "About" tab on our channel to find relevant videos, or let YouTube recommend additional videos from other creators that might help.

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