How to Fix Paper Jam Issues on the Epson ET-15000 When Feeding from the Tray

Question:

When feeding paper from the main tray, my Epson ET-15000 experiences repeated paper jams. Despite trying all the online suggestions I could find, the issue persists. To troubleshoot, I opened the tray and observed how the paper feeds, but nothing seemed wrong. I’m currently using the rear feed as a workaround. Have others experienced this issue? And is there a known fix or a product you offer that could help?

Answer:

Thank you so much for reaching out to BCH Technologies. We truly appreciate your patience and are sorry we couldn’t respond to your inquiry sooner. We fully understand that printer problems—especially paper jams—can be incredibly frustrating and often require immediate attention. We want to ensure we approach your question thoughtfully, giving it the time and detail it deserves.

We're especially grateful for your engagement with BCH Technologies and for finding us, whether it was through a Facebook group or elsewhere. Your support, along with that of our community on our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies), plays a vital role in helping us improve and grow our library of technical content.

Understanding the Tray Feeding Jam Issue on the ET-15000

The issue you're describing—frequent paper jams when using the main tray—is not uncommon with the Epson ET-15000, especially after moderate to heavy use. One mechanical culprit we’ve heard about (though not yet confirmed by hands-on verification in our lab) is the pickup roller assembly in the center of the tray feed path.

A spring inside the main pickup roller may have failed or dislodged. When this spring weakens or breaks, the roller loses the pressure or grip to pull the paper evenly and correctly. This causes the roller to misfeed or fail to feed the paper, resulting in jams.

You mentioned you observed the feed manually. The roller may not turn with the appropriate force if you did not notice any paper misalignment or skewing. Here’s what we recommend:

Steps to Troubleshoot and Possibly Fix:

1. Inspect the Pickup Roller:

   • Carefully remove the paper tray and examine the central roller.

   • Try gently rotating the roller by hand and watch for resistance or slackness.

   • Shine a light to see if there’s a spring mechanism visible behind the roller—if it's missing, loose, or not functioning as a tension element, that could be your culprit.

2. Clean the Roller Surface:

   • Dust, paper fibers, or ink residue can reduce traction. To clean the roller, use a lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol.

   • Be cautious not to oversaturate the area to avoid affecting nearby electronics.

3. Check for Warping or Damage:

   • Paper jams can also occur if internal guides or roller surfaces are warped or degraded. Unfortunately, this can happen more frequently than expected in environments with fluctuating humidity or frequent usage.

4. Consider a Replacement Roller Assembly:

   • While we do not currently list a replacement roller assembly for the ET-15000 in our online store, feel free to contact us via our contact form (https://bchtechnologies.com/contact), and we can check stock or advise on compatible options.

Alternate Workaround: Rear Feed Use

You're already using the rear feed successfully, an innovative short-term solution. It bypasses the problematic tray mechanism altogether and relies on gravity instead of the roller mechanism, which also tends to be more reliable for thicker or specialty paper.

Addressing printer issues can be a complex task due to the physical, hands-on nature of the problems involved. Unfortunately, this limits our ability to offer remote troubleshooting or repair guidance. However, we do provide an in-person diagnostic and repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Please note that our facility operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and due to high demand, it may take a few weeks to secure an appointment. While our service fees may not be the lowest, we aim to be transparent and thorough in every repair. If visiting us isn’t feasible, we strongly encourage self-guided research using platforms like YouTube. You can explore our vast archive on our BCH Technologies YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to the “About” tab to find content that’s most relevant to your issue. We've covered countless scenarios over the years, and it's likely something we've touched on before—if not, you might find helpful content from others in the community as well.

Thanks again for taking the time to contact us. Your commitment to solving this issue and exploring all options, including contacting us, truly means a lot. We're always here to support you however we can.