How to Fix “Out of Paper” Errors on Epson ET-2980 Even After Refilling Paper

Customer Question:

I recently purchased an Epson ET-2980 printer. While printing a document, the printer ran out of paper. After adding more paper to the rear tray, the printer wouldn’t continue printing unless I turned it off and back on. I contacted Epson support and was told that this model supposedly does not have a paper sensor and that I need to make sure there's enough paper before starting the print. I’ve never heard of a printer without a paper sensor—can that be true? I'm considering returning the printer to Best Buy unless this can be resolved.

Answer:

Thank you for reaching out to us, and apologies for the delay in getting back to you. We understand that all printer problems feel urgent—especially when you're in the middle of a job—and we want to treat your issue with the care and attention it deserves. We aim to be as specific and detailed as possible in our responses to ensure your concerns are fully addressed.

At BCH Technologies, we sincerely appreciate your engagement and support, primarily through our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Your questions not only help us fine-tune our expertise but also help the broader printing community we serve.

Now, to your concern: despite what Epson support mentioned, the Epson ET-2980 does have a paper sensor. It is located in the middle of the rear paper feed slot. If the printer refuses to resume printing after a paper-out event—even after you load new paper—it is often because the sensor mechanism is stuck or jammed, making the printer unaware that paper has been reinserted.

How to Locate and Troubleshoot the Paper Sensor:

1. Access the Paper Slot: Go to the rear of your ET-2980 and reach your hand into the paper feed slot. Extend your fingers toward the center of the slot.

2. Feel for the Lever: You’ll notice a small mechanical lever in the middle. This is the paper sensor actuator.

3. Check for Movement: Gently tap or wiggle the lever to see if it moves freely. If it feels stuck or unresponsive, that’s likely your problem.

4. Free the Lever: Tap the lever a few times to loosen it. You should feel it spring back when released. This lets the printer detect paper presence again.

5. Still Not Working? If the lever doesn’t regain normal movement, the actuator might be broken or permanently jammed. In that case, a hardware replacement or professional repair would be needed.

Unfortunately, Epson’s support representative suggested the model lacks a sensor, as that's not technically correct. Sensors like this are standard in most modern inkjet printers, even budget-friendly models, because they help prevent precisely this kind of workflow interruption.

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 arrange for your printer to be dropped 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 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 "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 most efficient. Plus, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.

Thank you once again for your question and for being part of the BCH community. We wish you the best with your ET-2980, and hope this helps you avoid that return to Best Buy!