Question

Thanks for the videos. I think my Epson WorkForce WF-7710 might have a dirty PW (paper width) sensor. The printer stops with a "paper jam" when I try to print a photo, but it prints a plain letter fine, and copying works normally. Is the PW sensor located at the printhead area shown in your printhead replacement video, or is it somewhere else? And is there a video that shows how to access or clean it?

Answer

Why "photo prints jam, letters are fine" is an important clue

When a WF-7710 prints plain paper letters fine, but fails (often with a "paper jam" alert) specifically on photos, that usually points to one of these categories:

1. Paper path sensitivity to thicker/glossier media
   Photo paper is stiffer, heavier, and has different friction. If rollers are worn or glazed, the printer may slip, skew, or fail to advance properly-then the printer reports a jam even if no paper is physically stuck.

2. Paper width detection / media detection mismatch
   If the printer's width/edge detection can't "see" the sheet edges correctly (dust, ink mist, paper lint, scratched window), it may assume the paper is skewed or the wrong size and throw a jam/feeding error.

3. Incorrect driver settings (paper size/type mismatch)
   If the driver is set to a different size or a borderless/photo mode that changes feed behavior, the printer can behave very differently than a normal letter print.

4. Borderless/photo mode uses different feed logic
   Borderless printing and higher-quality photo modes often use different step patterns and sometimes more aggressive platen/feed behavior. That can expose marginal rollers or a slightly dirty sensor.

So your suspicion about a sensor isn't unreasonable-but the "jam" message can be triggered by roller slip or skew just as often as a sensor problem, especially on glossy media.

What is the PW sensor, and is it located at the printhead?

"PW sensor" is commonly shorthand for paper width sensor (paper edge detection). On many Epson inkjets in this family, paper width/edge detection is typically done by an optical sensor assembly along the paper path-often near the platen/paper feed area where the sheet passes under/near the carriage path.

It is usually not part of the printhead itself.
In most cases, it is not located "on the printhead" that gets removed during a printhead replacement. The printhead is the ink delivery/jetting component; paper width detection is generally handled by a separate optical sensor positioned to "see" the paper edge as it moves.

That said, the sensor may be near the carriage travel zone (because the paper edge is detected in relation to where the carriage prints), which is why it can feel like "the printhead area." But functionally and physically, it's usually a separate sensor mounted to the chassis/platen area, not attached to the head.

Why copying might work even if photo prints fail

Copying and plain letter prints often use:

• different paper settings (plain paper),

• lower ink density,

• simpler feed routines,

• and less aggressive borderless/photo feed logic.

So a printer can "seem normal" in copy mode, but fail in photo mode because photo mode stresses the feed path more.

Practical checks that often fix this symptom (without major disassembly)

Before going deep into disassembly, these are the most common real-world fixes when WF-7710 photo jobs trigger a jam but plain paper doesn't:

1) Confirm driver settings match the paper

• Paper size: make sure it exactly matches the sheet (Letter vs 4×6 vs 5×7, etc.).

• Paper type: choose the correct photo media type.

• Borderless: test with borderless OFF first (borderless is more demanding).

A mismatch here can cause the printer to attempt a feed routine that doesn't match the actual media.

2) Try the rear feed (if available) for thick photo paper

Some Epson models behave better feeding photo paper from the rear/manual path versus the main tray, depending on thickness and curl.

3) Clean the paper feed rollers

Rollers can get glazed or coated with paper dust. That's a very common reason photo paper slips. A roller that still "kind of works" on plain paper may fail on glossy stock.

4) Inspect for paper dust and scraps in the paper path

Even a tiny torn corner can cause skew or drag that photo mode will detect as a jam.

5) Clean the paper width/edge sensor "window" (if accessible)

If you can locate the PW sensor window along the paper path:

• Use gentle air (not aggressive compressed blasts into gears).

• Use a lint-free swab lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol on the sensor window only (avoid soaking).

• Let it dry fully before testing.

A dusty sensor window can misread the paper edge and trigger a jam/feeding stop.

If it really is the PW sensor: what failure looks like

A PW sensor issue commonly shows up as:

• false "paper jam" or "wrong paper size" behavior,

• complaints during photo modes more than text,

• intermittent behavior that changes with lighting, dust level, or different paper finishes.

If the sensor is damaged (not just dirty), cleaning won't help consistently.

About error codes

You mentioned the printer "stops with a paper jam," but you didn't provide a specific Epson numeric error code (for example, a code like 0x9A, 0x97, or a maintenance/service-required code). Many WF-series messages are generic on-screen prompts rather than a clear code. If your WF-7710 displays any exact numeric code or gives a specific wording beyond "paper jam," that information can narrow the root cause significantly.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, 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 scheduled to drop it 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.

Thanks again for reaching out and for supporting our channel and our work. I really appreciate it, and I hope this helps you pinpoint whether the issue is the PW sensor area or simply a photo-paper feed/roller sensitivity problem.