Epson XP-15000 Paper Jam Error When No Paper Is Stuck: Causes, Error Codes, and Fixes

Question

My Epson XP-15000 is not recognizing the paper and keeps saying there is a paper jam, even though there's no paper stuck. What can I do to fix this?

Answer

Now, regarding your Epson XP-15000 reporting a paper jam when there is no paper present, this is a fairly common issue and is usually caused by a paper detection or paper feed system fault, not an actual jam.

Why This Happens

On the XP-15000, false paper jam messages are often related to:

1. Paper Feed (PF) Sensor Issues
   The printer relies on optical sensors to detect paper movement. Dust, ink mist, debris, or even light reflection from glossy residue can block or confuse these sensors, causing the printer to think paper is stuck when it isn't.

2. Paper Pickup Roller Wear or Slippage
   If the pickup rollers are worn, hardened, or contaminated with ink or paper dust, the printer may attempt to feed paper but fail. When the sensor doesn't detect movement within a set time, the printer triggers a paper jam error.

3. Encoder Strip or Encoder Disk Contamination
   Although less common, ink overspray or dust on the encoder components can interfere with paper feed timing, resulting in false jam detection.

4. Mechanical Obstruction or Misaligned Lever
   Small plastic levers that interact with the paper sensor can become dislodged or stuck due to dried ink or minor mechanical shifts, especially if the printer has been moved recently.

5. Firmware-Level Jam Detection
   In some cases, the printer firmware interprets abnormal resistance or delayed motion as a jam, even when no paper is physically present.

Common Error Messages and Codes

While the XP-15000 does not always display a numeric error code, this issue is commonly associated with messages such as:

• "Paper Jam"

• "Remove Jammed Paper"

• "No Paper" followed immediately by a Jam Warning

These messages typically point back to the paper feed sensor path or pickup mechanism, rather than an actual blockage.

What You Can Try

• Power off the printer and unplug it for at least 10-15 minutes to fully reset the sensors.

• Remove all paper and inspect the rear feed path, tray, and underside using a flashlight.

• Clean the paper pickup rollers with lint-free cloth lightly dampened with distilled water or isopropyl alcohol.

• Gently blow compressed air through the paper path to clear dust from sensors.

• Check for foreign objects (labels, torn paper bits, hardened ink flakes) near the rollers and sensor flags.

If the issue persists after these steps, the problem is very likely sensor-related or mechanical, which typically requires hands-on inspection.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Because of this, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, repair instructions, or real-time support for printer repairs. We do, however, offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility (Printer Repair Service - https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, repairs are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and there may be a wait of a few weeks before drop-off is available. Our services can cover either full-printer repairs or specific component-level repairs, with clear instructions provided. That said, we understand our rates may not be the most economical option, so we strongly encourage self-help research whenever possible.

A great place to start is YouTube, especially our own channel homepage (BCH Technologies on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to the "About" section on the right-hand side of the menu bar to look for videos related to your specific issue. I receive dozens of questions daily asking for exact video links, and after creating content for over nine years, it's difficult to recall every video. Using YouTube's search tool is the fastest and most effective approach-and it may also suggest helpful videos from other creators.

Thank you again for contacting us and for your continued support. We truly appreciate you taking the time to reach out, and we hope this information helps guide you toward a solution.