How to Fix Epson ET-8550 Error Code 000041 and PF Motor Issues When Printing from the Rear Feeder

Customer Question:

I purchased a refurbished Epson ET-8550 in March 2025 and loaded it with pigmented inks from Precision Colors instead of the original Epson inks. Everything worked fine for regular letter-size printing and scanning. I connected the printer via Ethernet to my Mac (macOS 10.12.6), and it worked well alongside my other printers.

However, when I tried to print on 13x19 Hahnemühle art paper from the rear feeder, the printer instead pulled paper from the bottom drawer. It advanced the paper but never began printing. Instead, it displayed an error message: 000041. I turned the printer off and on again as instructed, but the error persists, and I can no longer access the control panel menus. What does this error mean, and how can I fix it?

Answer:

Understanding Epson ET-8550 Error Code 000041

The 000041 error code in the Epson ET-8550 refers to a PF (Paper Feed) PID Excess Load Error. This means the PF motor stopped unexpectedly during operation. There are a few key reasons why this might happen:

Causes of PF Motor Interruption:

1. Mechanical Obstruction:

   • Jammed paper or foreign debris inside the paper feed path.

   • Excessive resistance from thick or specialty papers (such as Hahnemühle) can cause them to feed unevenly.

2. Encoder or Sensor Failure:

   • The PF encoder (a strip or disk that tracks the motor’s rotation) may be dirty or misaligned.

   • The PF scale (part of the encoder assembly) might be contaminated or damaged.

3. Hardware Disconnection or Failure:

   • A loose or broken connection in the PF Motor Cable or Encoder FFC (Flexible Flat Cable).

   • The PF motor itself might be partially or fully defective.

   • In rare cases, the Main Board (motherboard of the printer) could be failing.

Troubleshooting Steps You Can Try

Before considering service or hardware replacement, here are steps you can take to investigate and possibly resolve the issue:

1. Check for Paper or Debris:

   • Even tiny paper scraps or thick art paper partially loaded into the mechanism can trigger this error. Use a flashlight to inspect all accessible areas.

2. Reset the Printer:

   • Fully unplug the printer (including power and Ethernet cables), wait 2–3 minutes, then plug it back in and try powering up again. This sometimes clears system-level memory faults.

3. Use Epson Utility Software (if accessible):

   • If the printer briefly allows you to access it before displaying the error, try using the Epson Printer Utility on your Mac to run a diagnostic or perform a firmware reset.

4. Internal Mechanical Check (if you're comfortable):

   • Remove the printer’s rear panel and inspect the PF drive gear assembly and belt. Look for signs of misalignment, slipping, or gear damage.

   • Also, gently wipe the PF scale or encoder strip with a lint-free cloth if you can locate it.

When Hardware Replacement May Be Needed

If the issue persists and the motor cannot spin even when there's no obstruction, you may be facing one of the following hardware failures:

• Faulty PF Motor: Needs to be replaced.

• Damaged Encoder Strip or Cable: Can affect motor synchronization.

• Main Board Fault: Rare but possible, especially if other error codes eventually appear.

Given that your error is persistent and blocking all menu access, the fault may lie in one of the latter hardware issues.

Additional Support Options

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Therefore, we're unable to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, it may take a few weeks before we can arrange for your printer to drop it off.

Our services are structured to repair either the 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 recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage (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 the most efficient approach. Additionally, YouTube may suggest relevant videos from other channels that can assist you.

Thank you again for your patience and support. We hope this helps guide your next steps, and we’re always here to help as much as we can.