Why Epson Printers Show Repeated Wi-Fi Errors: Causes, Certificate Issues, and Repair Options

Question

A customer reported that their Epson printer developed a Wi-Fi error, and Epson sent an out-of-warranty refurbished replacement. Unfortunately, the replacement unit worked for only about two months before the exact same Wi-Fi error occurred again. The customer suspects the issue may be related to an expired security certificate embedded in the Wi-Fi board. They would like to know whether this explanation makes sense, whether replacement Wi-Fi boards are expensive, where they can be sourced, and whether these boards commonly fail over time.

Answer

Do Expired Certificates Cause Epson Wi-Fi Failures?

Your speculation is very insightful, and yes-there is a technical basis for what you're describing. Many Epson printers use Wi-Fi modules with embedded firmware that includes security certificates for modern Wi-Fi authentication. When these certificates age out (or the firmware fails to handle rollover correctly), the Wi-Fi subsystem can malfunction.

This can manifest as:

• Repeated Wi-Fi connection errors

• Errors showing failed authentication

• Errors where the printer refuses to connect despite valid credentials

• Intermittent connection drops

• Sudden permanent loss of Wi-Fi connectivity

Epson has historically had models affected by SSL certificate expirations or outdated wireless authentication libraries. While Epson rarely publishes these details publicly, the symptom pattern matches what you're experiencing-especially because your refurbished replacement failed in the same way after a short time.

A refurb unit often contains reused internal modules, including the Wi-Fi board. If Epson did not update the firmware or if the module was already close to aging out, it could certainly fail again.

So yes-your theory absolutely makes sense.

Do Epson Wi-Fi Boards Commonly Fail?

There are two major reasons Wi-Fi boards in Epson printers go bad:

1. Firmware/Certificate Aging

As mentioned, outdated firmware can effectively "brick" a Wi-Fi board.

2. Hardware Failure

Wi-Fi modules in consumer printers are typically inexpensive, compact modules that do run warm. Over time, they may fail due to:

• Thermal stress

• Weak solder joints

• Repeated power cycling

• Component fatigue

• Moisture/humidity exposure

• Lightning/power surges

So yes-they do fail from time to time. Your two-month event is unusually quick but not impossible.

Cost and Availability of Replacement Wi-Fi Boards

Replacement Wi-Fi boards (also called network interface boards, NIC boards, or wireless LAN modules) vary greatly in price depending on:

• Printer model

• Availability of parts

• Whether new or salvaged

Typical prices range from $25 to $90, with some high-demand models going slightly higher. Epson generally does not sell these boards directly to consumers, so the most common sources are:

• Third-party printer parts suppliers

• Salvage harvested from used printers

• eBay or other secondary markets

• Specialized repair shops

The challenge is that availability fluctuates, and not all boards are guaranteed to be updated, so purchasing a used module may risk running into the same aged-firmware issue.

For models that rely heavily on firmware certificates, replacing the Wi-Fi board sometimes doesn't solve the underlying problem unless the newer module has updated firmware.

Some customers choose to avoid the Wi-Fi board entirely and operate through:

• USB

• Ethernet (if available)

• A dedicated print server device

This option bypasses the entire Wi-Fi subsystem when the Wi-Fi module becomes unreliable.

Important Note About Epson Error Codes

Epson doesn't always provide specific error codes for Wi-Fi board failures. Often, you may encounter vague connection failure messages such as:

• "Wi-Fi Error"

• "Cannot connect to the network."

• "Authentication failed."

• "Network setup unsuccessful."

These errors unfortunately all get lumped into the same category, which makes diagnosis difficult without testing the hardware directly.

Addressing printer issues can be complicated due to the hands-on nature of these problems. As a result, we aren't able to provide remote troubleshooting or step-by-step repair support. However, we do offer in-person evaluation and repair through our local diagnostic facility, which you can learn about on our printer repair service page (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Because of high demand, all repairs are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before we can examine your machine after it's dropped off. Our services focus on either full-printer repairs or specific component repairs with clear instructions on next steps. That said, we understand our rates may not be the most budget-friendly, so we strongly recommend exploring self-help options online. A good place to start is our YouTube channel's homepage at BCH Technologies (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon located beside the "About" tab to find videos related to your issue. We've created hundreds of repair videos over the past nine years, and searching by keyword is the most efficient way to locate the right one. YouTube may also recommend other helpful videos from different channels.

Thank you again for reaching out and for your patience. We truly appreciate your engagement and support, and we're always here to provide as much clarity as we can.