Epson ET-8550 Showing Paper Jam Error? Here's What It Could Mean and How to Fix It

Question:

My Epson ET-8550 printer won’t feed paper—it keeps kicking it back and displays a “paper jam” error. I might have ordered the wrong part. Did I mess up?

Answer:

Diagnosing the “Paper Jam” Error on the ET-8550

You mentioned your printer won’t feed paper and throws a “paper jam” message, even though it seems like the paper isn't making it through. This can certainly be frustrating. But here’s some good news—the part you ordered, which we understand to be the Paper End (PE) sensor, might actually be related to the issue. So no, you may not have messed up.

Let’s walk through the most likely culprits:

1. Paper End (PE) Sensor

The PE sensor is responsible for detecting whether paper is present at the front paper feed. If it’s defective, dirty, misaligned, or not communicating correctly with the printer’s logic board, the printer may reject paper before the feed process even starts. The typical symptom: you load paper, the machine hums or tries to feed, then immediately kicks it back and says there’s a jam. If the printhead doesn’t move at all, this strongly suggests the PE sensor is the culprit.

2. Page Width (PW) Sensor

If the paper gets fed slightly into the printer and the printhead moves to the center before rejecting the job, this might indicate a fault with the Page Width sensor. The PW sensor checks the width and positioning of the paper. If the data it sends is inconsistent or incorrect, the printer may assume a skew, incorrect paper type, or a blockage, and stop the job with a “paper jam” error—even when there’s no jam physically present.

3. Other Possible Causes

Aside from the sensors, here are additional components to investigate:

• Worn or dirty paper rollers – If the rollers can’t grip the paper properly, it may not feed at all.

• Paper tray issues – Misloaded paper or warped trays can interfere with paper alignment.

• Foreign debris or scraps – Tiny paper shreds stuck in the path can prevent paper from entering smoothly.

• Gear or motor fatigue – Over time, feed rollers or gearing can weaken or lose calibration.

So while your order has been canceled by request, it's worth reconsidering whether the PE sensor might still be a needed part. If you'd like to double-check whether it’s the right component for your specific issue, feel free to provide more detail or your printer's behavior step-by-step—we’d be happy to take a closer look.

What to Do Next

When printers throw generalized error messages like “paper jam,” it’s often because the system is receiving incomplete or incorrect signals from one or more components. In cases like this, we always recommend starting with the basics: clean the rollers, reload the tray, remove all paper, and inspect the entire paper path with a flashlight. If everything looks clean and mechanical movement is normal, then sensors like PE and PW become likely suspects.

Addressing printer issues can be a hands-on challenge, especially with mechanical or sensor-related problems. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer remote troubleshooting or personalized technical support. However, we do offer professional in-person printer diagnostics and repair through our local diagnostic facility [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]. Appointments are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and due to demand, there may be a wait time of several weeks. Whether you need to repair your entire printer or just a specific component, we’ll provide clear next steps once it’s been evaluated.

That said, we understand that our pricing may not be the most budget-friendly option. We strongly recommend exploring self-help options, starting with our YouTube channel [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. Use the search icon near the "About" tab to locate specific video topics—this is often quicker than reaching out, and may even lead you to helpful content from other creators.

Thank you once again for reaching out and for supporting BCH Technologies. We're always here to help when we can, and we hope you’re able to get your ET-8550 back up and running soon!