Epson ET-8550 Says “Paper Jam” from Rear Tray – Possible Causes and Fixes

Question: 

My Epson ET-8550 prints fine, but when I try to use the rear tray, it gives a "paper jam" error and won't pull the paper. What could be the issue?

Answer:

Likely Causes of Rear Tray Paper Feed Errors

The ET-8550 is a robust and highly capable printer, but like all machines, it can run into mechanical sensor issues over time—especially around paper feeding systems. Below are the most common causes when only the rear tray fails while the rest of the printer continues to function normally:

 1. Worn-Out Rear Tray Pickup Roller

This is the most likely culprit when the printer fails to grab paper from the rear tray. Over time, the rubber on the pickup roller wears smooth and loses grip.

Symptoms:

• Paper doesn't feed at all from the rear.

• Printer throws a “Paper Jam” or “No Paper” error even though the tray is loaded.

Fix:

• Clean the roller with isopropyl alcohol to temporarily improve traction.

• Replace the rear pickup roller if cleaning doesn’t resolve the problem.

2. PE Sensor (Paper Ejection Sensor) Malfunction

The PE sensor is responsible for detecting paper movement and ejection. If it fails, the printer may misinterpret paper feeding as a jam—even if there’s no actual obstruction.

However: If the PE sensor is at fault, the printer will show the same error whether you use the rear tray or front tray. Since your error is isolated to the rear tray, PE sensor failure is less likely—but still worth noting.

3. PW Sensor (Page Width Sensor) or Tray Alignment Issues

If your printer isn’t detecting the correct paper width or alignment, it may prevent feeding and default to a jam error.

What to check:

• Is the paper sitting perfectly centered in the rear tray guides?

• Are the width guides too tight or too loose?

• Inspect the tray itself for cracks or warping that could misalign the paper feed mechanism.

In some cases, misalignment from improper tray seating or a damaged guide rail causes the printer to think no paper is present or incorrectly fed—triggering a jam warning.

Want a Professional Diagnosis?

If you’re unsure about which component is causing the issue, we’re happy to help further. You can book an in-person evaluation or printer repair service [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service] with us. Whether it's a faulty sensor, roller, or something else, our technicians can isolate the problem quickly. We also offer mainboard repair services [https://bchtechnologies.com/collections/printer-repair-service] if the issue turns out to be electronic.

Important Note: If you’re mailing your entire printer to us, please be aware that while we accept incoming shipments, we do not ship completed printers back—you will need to pick it up in person.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Therefore, we’re unable to provide remote troubleshooting or repair support. Instead, we offer diagnostics and repairs through our local diagnostic facility, which operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Depending on current demand, there may be a wait time of several weeks for a drop-off appointment. Our services include both full printer repair and individual part evaluations, with straightforward instructions and pricing outlined on our website. While we understand that our service rates may not be the lowest, we encourage self-service when possible. You can begin by exploring our YouTube channel [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies] and using the search icon near the "About" section to find videos on tray issues, sensor cleaning, and paper feed fixes. There are hundreds of helpful videos, and YouTube’s algorithm may also suggest related guides from other trusted creators.

Thanks again for reaching out, and we sincerely appreciate your trust in BCH Technologies. If you decide to proceed with repair or need additional guidance, don’t hesitate to contact us again!