How to Fix Epson ET-8550 Error Code 031002 and False Paper Jam Alerts

Question: My Epson ET-8550 keeps showing error code 031002 and says there’s a paper jam, even though I’ve checked and there’s no jam. I’ve tried turning the wheel by the printhead, but the issue remains. What’s going on?

Answer:

What the 031002 Error Code Means

The 031002 error is categorized as a “Head Hot Error (after flushing), " occurring during the printer’s startup diagnostic sequence. During this sequence, the printer checks for:

1. Paper presence (paper-out sensor)

2. Paper jam (CR and PE sensors)

3. Paper feed errors (PF sensor)

4. Internal hardware integrity—including the printhead

If the printer detects abnormalities in the printhead, especially due to electrical issues like a short circuit, it throws the 031002 fatal error. So even though the interface may display a paper jam warning, this is likely a side-effect of the halted startup test rather than an actual feed or jam issue.

Possible Causes and Next Steps

The 031002 error generally points to hardware failure in the printhead; unfortunately, it's not typically repairable by the user. Here are the standard diagnostic steps as outlined by Epson’s service procedures:

1. Check the Printhead FFC (Flat Flexible Cable) – Look for any disconnections, pinched sections, or burn marks, though this rarely solves the issue once a short is present.

2. Replace the Printhead – This is the most common fix, though the ET-8550 printhead is expensive and difficult to source and align properly without professional tools.

3. Replace the Main Board—If the short circuit has extended into the logic board, replacing the printhead alone will not resolve the problem.

The key takeaway is that this is not a user-fixable paper jam. Your printer has likely suffered a hardware-level failure, specifically in the printhead circuitry.

Tackling hardware-related printer issues like this can be pretty challenging without hands-on access. For this reason, we cannot offer remote troubleshooting or repair support. However, we provide in-person repair and diagnostic services at our local repair facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Please note that due to high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks to get your unit in the queue. We offer repairs for full printers or specific components and give clear instructions for whichever path is more feasible. While our pricing may not always be budget-friendly, we encourage users to seek self-help options online. Visit our YouTube homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) and use the search icon near the “About” tab to find specific tutorials. We receive many questions daily, and while we’ve posted hundreds of videos over the years, the YouTube search bar is the best way to locate relevant topics, sometimes even surfacing applicable content from other creators.

Thank you again for your message. We genuinely value your involvement in our community, and we hope this information helps guide your next steps with the Epson ET-8550.