Epson Printer Ink and Paper Lights Flashing - What It Means and How to Fix It

Question:
My Epson printer's ink and paper lights keep flashing even after I've followed all the troubleshooting instructions and cleaned the ink pad. What could be causing this, and how can I fix it?

Answer:

1. Understanding the Flashing Ink and Paper Lights

When both the ink and paper lights are flashing simultaneously on an Epson printer, it typically indicates a service or maintenance error. This can be caused by several things, such as:

• A waste ink pad counter that has reached its limit (even if you've cleaned the pad).

• A paper feed sensor error, such as a jam detection or APG sensor fault.

• A carriage or ink system error, possibly related to the printhead or capping station.

• Internal EEPROM data corruption, which can confuse the printer's status detection.

Even after physically cleaning the ink pad, the printer's internal counter remains unchanged-so the printer still "thinks" the pad is full. This is why the lights continue to flash until the counter is reset.

2. Use the Epson Adjustment Program to Identify the Exact Error

To determine what's wrong, you can use Epson's Adjustment Program, a diagnostic tool typically used by technicians. Here's how to use it:

1. Open the Adjustment Program and select the USB port where your printer appears in the dropdown menu.

2. Choose Particular Adjustment Mode.

3. Scroll down and select Printer Information Check.

4. Click Check - the most recent error code will appear at the top as Error Number 1.

Once you have that code, you can look up its meaning.

For example:

• Error Code 00010004 - means a paper jam or feed sensor malfunction.

• Error Code 0001001A - indicates a carriage motor or encoder strip issue.

• Error Code 00011009 - usually means the waste ink pad counter is full.

To interpret your code, search "BCH Epson Error" on Google, which will lead you to our official page explaining Epson's Triple Secret Error Codes. It provides details on what each error means and possible fixes.

If the Adjustment Program shows an APG sensor error, that refers to the sensor responsible for detecting whether the printer's paper feed and output paths are clear. Cleaning around the paper feed rollers and sensors often helps.

If you don't have access to the Adjustment Program, note that this software is generally distributed only to Epson technicians-but many DTF printer resellers and repair shops share it online. Searching for your specific printer model alongside "Adjustment Program" can help you locate a compatible version.

For a quick video walkthrough of the process, you can watch our short guide here: BCH Epson Adjustment Program Tutorial (https://youtube.com/shorts/FPZzpyYuZLE).

3. Reset the Waste Ink Counter (If Applicable)

If your issue turns out to be a waste ink pad counter error, you'll need to reset it in the Adjustment Program:

• Choose Waste Ink Pad Counter from the menu.

• Click Check, then Initialize, and finally Finish.

• Power off your printer, wait 30 seconds, and power it back on.

This will clear the internal counter. However, if you continue to see flashing lights, it's possible the printer has another active error or damaged sensor.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. That's why we're unable to provide remote troubleshooting or part-replacement support. However, we do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, repairs are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks for your printer to be serviced. We offer both complete printer repairs and part-specific services, with detailed instructions provided once your printer is received.

If you prefer to troubleshoot on your own, we encourage you to visit our BCH Technologies YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon near the "About" tab to find videos specific to your model or problem. We've created hundreds of detailed tutorials over the past nine years, and searching directly on YouTube often yields the fastest results.

Thank you again for reaching out and for being part of our community. Your support and feedback inspire us to continue helping printer owners like you find clear, reliable solutions.