How to Fix Epson L14150 Paper Feed Errors After Gear Repair (PE Sensor Issue)

Question: I repaired a broken spur gear in my Epson L14150 and reassembled it, but I'm still getting a paper feed error. The error message says something like “paper remains inside… place A4 size paper in the rear slot.” However, there is no paper inside the printer. What could be causing this?

Understanding the Error Message

The message you're seeing—roughly translated from French—says:

“Paper remains inside because it is placed to the side. Place A4 paper in the rear feed slot. Press (Finish) to remove paper inside.”

This typically refers to a phantom paper jam, where the printer thinks paper is stuck even though nothing is visibly present. This can happen if one of the sensors isn't reading correctly, especially after a mechanical repair like fixing a broken gear.

Common Causes After Gear Repair

Based on your description, there are two likely culprits:

1. Dislodged or Faulty PE Sensor

The PE (Paper End or Paper Entry) Sensor is responsible for detecting whether paper is entering the feed path. If this sensor is blocked, misaligned, or malfunctioning, the printer may think paper is stuck when it isn’t.

• If you reassembled the printer after gluing the spur gear, a small piece of broken plastic or adhesive residue may be interfering with the sensor.

• It’s also common for technicians to accidentally dislodge the PE sensor or its cable (especially the flat flexible cable, or FFC) while working around the gear assembly.

• In many Epson models, the PE sensor is located near the rear paper feed path or adjacent to the feed rollers.

2. Loose or Unseated FFC Cable to PE Sensor

Another common issue during reassembly is unintentionally unplugging or loosely seating the FFC cable that connects the PE sensor to the printer’s logic board.

• If the cable is disconnected, the printer gets no signal from the sensor, defaulting to an error condition.

• Visually inspect the cable—look for any bent pins, weak contact points, or misalignment.

Steps You Can Take

1. Turn Off and Unplug the Printer. Safety first!

2. Open the Rear and Top Covers. Carefully assess the area where the spur gear repair took place.

3. Inspect the PE Sensor. Clean it gently with compressed air or a lint-free cloth.

4. Check the FFC Cable. Ensure it’s seated properly and fully inserted. If it has a locking latch, make sure it's engaged.

5. Look for Obstructions. Remove any glue residue or broken gear fragments that may be blocking the feed rollers or optical path.

If all looks good and the error persists, it's possible the sensor itself was damaged during the repair and may need replacing.

Additional Notes

Some printer models require a sensor reset sequence or firmware recalibration after major mechanical repairs. However, these are typically performed using Epson's service software and are only available to certified service centers.

Important Service Disclaimer

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 (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 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 (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Look for specific videos using the search icon next to the "About" section on the menu bar.

We 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.

Thank you again for reaching out and sharing your experience with us. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to helping however we can!

Customer Follow-Up

After my initial troubleshooting request, I wanted to share what I’ve done so far. I’ve carried out all the necessary checks on the mechanical and electrical components of my printer. I even measured every sensor with a multimeter, and all readings appeared to be within range:

• PE sensor: GND–VCC 1.3–3.2 V, GND–OUT 1.2–0.1 V

• PW sensor: GND–VCC 1.2–3.1 V, GND–OUT 1.16–0.01 V

Even with these results, I still haven’t been able to diagnose the problem, which has been very frustrating. I also updated the firmware when the printer prompted me to do so.

When I disassembled the printhead, I found the PW sensor full of ink. This might be contributing to the issue, even though the multimeter readings looked fine.

I appreciate your time in reviewing my case and hope we can continue working together. BCH is, in my opinion, one of the best brands when it comes to troubleshooting printers.

Kevin Follow-Up

Yes, the ink contamination on the PW sensor will block the emitter/receiver pair. Even though the sensor may still output the correct voltage during testing, the receiver cannot detect the signal if the light path is obstructed by ink. In other words, the electrical side of the sensor can appear “good” on a multimeter, but the optical side is effectively blind. Cleaning or replacing the sensor is often the only way to restore proper operation.