Epson ET-8550 Paper Feed Issues: Is It the Motor? Troubleshooting & Repair Guide

Question:

I own an Epson ET-8550, and the paper feeding has become a problem. The printer sees no paper for whatever other source I try, such as a cassette, rear feeder tray, or rear feed slot. Gone is the typical “whirr” of feeding paper; there’s a low hum instead. Eventually, the printer claims the cassette or feeder is empty. It could be connected to the rear tray being used for heavy cardstock, fed into it. We do that often, so I'm worried the motor might be burned out.

I have a few questions:

• Is it a page feed motor issue?
• Do you carry this motor?
• Can you swap out the motor without messing (I just filled the ink tanks)?

Answer:

Is It the Page Feed Motor?

From my description, it does sound like a failing PF motor. The PF motor moves the print media through the printer and powers the waste ink pump. Your printer is not detecting a single paper from any feed source, and instead of the usual motor whir, you only hear a humming noise, which means the motor is probably not engaging properly with the paper.

Regularly using the rear feed tray for heavy cardstock can strain the motor, increasing the likelihood of wear or failure. It’s possible that:

• The motor has worn out and no longer produces enough torque to draw paper through the machine.
• Drive system gear is slipping or worn.
• Motor movement is affected by a slight blockage or paper dust buildup upon the system

Do We Stock the Page Feed Motor?

We have the Page Feed (PF) motor for Epson ET-8550. It is listed on our BCH Technologies website (https://bchtechnologies.com) under the search term "ET-8550 Page Feed Motor."

Replacing the Motor - Will Ink Go Everywhere?

Yes! Since the PF motor is a separate part, you do not need to touch the ink system when replacing it. Unlike parts like the printhead or ink tubing, the motor is placed separately so it can be replaced without handling the ink tanks, where spills might happen. The tanks had recently been filled, so there’d be no worrying about leaking ink or mess while doing this repair.

Further Troubleshooting Before a Motor Replacement

Before you go to the expense of replacing the motor, you may want to try these troubleshooting steps:

Perform a Hard Reset

• Power off the printer and remove the power cord, leave this for 10 minutes.
• Replug and reboot to see if the motor resets itself.

Check for Obstructions

• It’s time to open the printer and check for dust build-up or paper debris around the feed rollers.
• Shine a flashlight into the feed mechanism to see if bits of cardstock are jammed inside.

Manually Rotate the Rollers

• If you can reach the feed rollers, try gently turning them by hand to see if they are stuck.
• If, say, a gear or even the motor is having trouble, a jammed roller could point you toward the problem.

Pay Closer Attention to the Motor

• If the motor starts humming but isn’t moving, it might be stalled or not getting enough juice.
• A clicking sound might indicate a problem with the gears rather than a complete motor failure.

If the problem is not solved by the above steps, replacing the PF motor is the safest option.

Important Service Note

Printer issues are challenging to tackle as they require things we can do ourselves. We cannot provide remote troubleshooting, recommendations, or direct repair assistance. This is not a service we provide. However, we do have a local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service) where you can drop off your machine for evaluation and repair. We do this on a first-come, first-served basis and have high demand at the moment, meaning a few-week wait at times.

We offer complete repair for your printer or part replacement in case of damage with convenient steps on what to do next. Just be aware that our rates for repair may not be the most cost-effective, and we strongly urge you to search online for self-repair information. So, begin with our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) and search for repair guides. Search for the issues you are having, because over the years we have looked at various troubleshooting videos on YouTube. YouTube even offers you helpful repair videos from different creators.

But again, thanks for reaching out! Thanks for supporting and engaging with us -- we're here to help and keep your printer ticking. We are committed to providing any additional support you need as you browse our offerings.