How to Fix Epson ET-2650 Stuck in “Printer Mode Set Jig” With Red Screen Error

Question:
My Epson ET-2650 stays in “print mode,” and then a red screen appears showing:
Flag check, Inspection On, Initial charge: Off, Push (Power) BT.
How can I fix this and get my printer working again?

Answer:

The message you’re seeing—“Flag check, Inspection On, Initial charge: Off, Push (Power) BT”—means your Epson ET-2650 is stuck in service mode or inspection mode. This mode is usually used by technicians for diagnostics and firmware operations, and it’s not something that regular printing can resume from until it’s exited.

Here are some detailed ways to address it:

1. Exit Service Mode Using Button Combination

Many times, you can exit this mode by powering off the printer and restarting it while holding a specific combination of buttons (such as Stop + Power or Stop + Down + Power, depending on the model). This combination varies, so I recommend reviewing our video guide for this model, as it shows the exact sequence needed to return the printer to normal mode.

2. Use Recovery Firmware

If button combinations don’t work, try restarting the printer in service mode intentionally and using Epson’s official recovery firmware tool. This process will overwrite the corrupted or locked firmware and restore the printer to a usable state. Recovery firmware is often model-specific, so make sure you download the correct version for the ET-2650.

3. Roll Back the Firmware With WICReset

The WICReset utility can be used to downgrade or re-flash the firmware. After downloading the WICReset software, connect the printer via USB in service mode, select your printer model, and install an earlier firmware version. This can sometimes remove the “Flag check” lock screen.

4. Restore the EEPROM

If the problem is caused by EEPROM corruption, the fix may require physically writing a good firmware dump back into the chip. This involves:

• Searching online for a bin dump file for your model.

• Building or buying an EEPROM programmer (available on sites like Amazon).

• Writing the dump into the memory chip on the printer’s mainboard.

In severe cases, replacing the memory chip entirely is the best option. This is an advanced repair that’s recommended only if you’re comfortable working with electronics.

Addressing printer issues like this can be a hands-on process that requires specialized tools, so we can’t provide remote troubleshooting or step-by-step repair assistance. However, we do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service) through our local diagnostic facility. Due to high demand, service is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before drop-off. We handle both full printer repairs and specific part replacements, with clear instructions for the process. While our rates may not be the cheapest, many customers successfully resolve their own issues through research. A great place to start is our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies)—use the search icon next to “About” to locate videos on your specific problem. With nine years of content, even we use this feature to find past tutorials, and you may also discover useful videos from other creators.

Thank you again for your question and for supporting BCH Technologies—your engagement helps us continue providing reliable technical guidance for printer owners worldwide.