Epson Printer Error 031006 Resolved, but Now It Prints Blank Pages and Says "Add Paper": Causes and Fixes for False Paper-Out and Half-Feed Jams

Question: The printer error 031006 is resolved now, but the printer will only run two pages and then it says I need to add paper even though the tray is full. It feeds two sheets like it's printing, but nothing prints on the paper. After that, it claims there's no paper, and one sheet gets stuck halfway and won't fully eject. What could be causing this?

Answer: 

You did a great job clarifying that error 031006 is resolved and that the current problem is different. When a printer:

• feeds paper like it's printing but the pages come out blank, and then

• displays a paper-out / add paper message even though paper is loaded, and

• leaves a sheet stuck halfway (doesn't fully eject),

that usually points to two separate systems that can fail together:

1. Paper handling / paper detection (feed rollers, pickup, sensors, encoder timing)

2. Printing system (ink delivery, purge/prime, head firing, carriage movement)

Below are the most common causes and what they mean in real-world terms.

1) Why it might print blank pages even though it "acts like it's printing"

A printer can feed paper normally while printing nothing if:

A) Ink is not reaching the printhead (ink starvation)

This is the most common reason for "blank pages" when the printer otherwise behaves normally. Causes include:

• Air trapped in the lines (common after maintenance or refills)

• A loose cartridge/ink connection or damper issue (varies by model)

• A capping station / pump problem preventing proper priming

• A severe clog (less common for totally blank pages, but possible)

What it looks like: paper feeds, carriage moves, but the output is blank or extremely faint.

B) The printhead is not firing (electrical or cable-related)

If the printhead isn't firing at all, you can still see paper feeding and even normal carriage motion. Possible causes:

• Printhead cable partially disconnected or not seated correctly

• Damage to the head cable or connector contacts

• Mainboard/head-driver failure (less common, but possible)

C) The printer is not actually placing ink because it never fully "commits" to printing

Some printers will feed pages as part of a job sequence but stop once a sensor or timing error occurs. That can produce blank sheets if printing is interrupted very early.

2) Why it says "add paper" when there is paper (false paper-out)

A false paper-out message almost always involves the printer's paper detection logic, which relies on sensors and expected timing.

A) Paper pickup roller slipping or glazed

If the pickup roller is worn or dirty, the printer can:

• pick up the first page or two,

• then begin slipping,

• then it "thinks" there is no paper (because the page didn't advance on schedule).

This often shows up exactly like you described: two sheets feed, then failure.

B) Paper sensor (PE sensor) contamination or misread

Most printers use a paper edge (PE) sensor to confirm that paper has entered the path. If the sensor flag is dusty, ink-misted, or blocked by debris:

• the printer can mis-detect the paper's leading edge,

• trigger "out of paper" incorrectly,

• and stop with paper partially advanced.

C) Paper path obstruction or drag

If something is physically catching the sheet (a small torn piece of paper, label backing, excessive ink residue, or a misaligned guide), the sheet can:

• move partway,

• slow down,

• and fail the timing check, triggering a "no paper / add paper" error.

3) Why the sheet gets stuck halfway and won't eject

A half-feed jam usually means the printer is stopping because it detected an abnormal condition mid-transport. Common causes:

• pickup roller started but couldn't maintain traction

• obstruction in the middle of the path

• dirty/contaminated feed rollers causing uneven feed

• sensor timing mismatch (sensor didn't toggle when expected)

When the printer stops abruptly, it often leaves the paper halfway through the path.

4) How these symptoms can be connected (blank pages + paper errors together)

It's very possible you're seeing two problems at the same time:

• A paper handling issue that stops the printer mid-cycle (triggering "add paper" and leaving a sheet stuck), and/or

• An ink delivery/printhead firing issue that produces blank output even when paper feeds.

That's why it's important not to treat "blank pages" as only an ink problem, or "add paper" as only a tray problem-your description suggests both systems may be involved.

5) What to watch for if error 031006 returns

You mentioned error 031006 was resolved. If it reappears alongside these symptoms, it can indicate the printer is still experiencing an underlying condition that intermittently affects normal operation. So if you see 031006 again, note when it occurs (startup, during feed, during cleaning, etc.), because that timing helps pinpoint whether it's sensor-, carriage-, or control-related.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems, and situations like this often require physical inspection of rollers, sensors, and the ink system to confirm what's failing first. Because of that, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility: printer repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it might take a few weeks before we can get your printer in for drop-off. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we highly recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage, BCH Technologies on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Look for specific videos using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be most efficient. Plus, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.

Thank you again for reaching out, and I appreciate the detailed explanation you provided. The fact that the printer feeds paper but prints nothing, then reports "no paper" while leaving a sheet stuck halfway, is a very useful set of symptoms-and it helps narrow the issue to paper sensing/feeding and ink delivery/head firing rather than only software or driver settings.