Why Is Your ET-8550 Showing a Paper Jam Error After Finding a Loose Spring?

Question:

I discovered a loose spring in the lower paper tray of my Epson ET-8550. When I turn on the printer, it instantly displays a paper jam error message and won’t go any further. “I don’t know how to begin fixing it. Could you look into what debugged it and what could be done to fix this?

Answer:

So, You Found a Loose Spring in Your ET-8550, and Now You Are Getting a Paper Jam Error?

Your printer uses tiny springs to help regulate paper movement through the paper feed mechanism, alignment, and pressure. If a spring is out of place, it may impact the paper tray lift system, rollers, or sensors, making the printer think a jam has occurred.

A Step By Step Trouble Shooting Guide

Determine the Spring’s Actual Location

It is probably part of something in the queue, as you found a spring inside the lower paper tray.

Paper lift mechanism: this pushes paper upward to the rollers for feeding

A pressure spring in the roller system: Ensures mild paper movement.

A sensor mechanism: Some springs reset sensor positions.

Look for similar springs in the upper paper tray. If you find a match, you can understand where the loose spring might have come from.

Check For Paper Jams

Yet, to confirm this error, no paper seems to be stuck; however, small pieces of paper or misaligned rollers can lead to this confusion.

The lower tray should be emptied of all paper.

Shine a flashlight into the tray slot.

Look for small bits of ripped paper around the feed rollers.

If using the hand method, carefully rotate the rollers to see what (if anything) bypasses.

Looking Into the Paper Lift Mechanism

A missing spring or put in the wrong place in the paper tray lift mechanism can cause paper not to feed correctly, leading the printer to believe there’s a jam.

While the printer is powered off, lift the lower paper tray manually.

Power up the printer and manually support the tray. Check if you have the error message and change it.

If it disappears, then the lost spring was probably the one supporting the lift mechanism.

Check the Paper Sensors

Paper jam detection relies on optical sensors and little plastic flags that raise when paper is inserted. The printer may think there's a jam if one is misaligned because the spring is gone.

Find black optical sensors close to the paper rollers and remove any obstructions around them.

Find plastic sensor flags (little flaps that move when paper flows through). If something is out of position, nudge it back.

Restart & Test

Please turn off the printer and unplug it for 5 minutes.

Feed paper into the tray, ensuring it is appropriately aligned.

Turn the printer back on and check if any error remains.

If the problem remains, you should remove the lower tray and adequately fit the spring.

Additional Steps to Take if the Problem Continues

If you can handle DIY repairs, open the tray assembly and reattach the spring yourself. If unsure, you can watch similar repair videos on our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies).

Printer problems can be tricky to fix since resolving hardware issues usually requires tinkering. However, we are not able to assist in repairing them remotely. But here at our Facility, we provide a walk-in diagnostic and repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). This service is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and wait times may vary due to high demand.

We work on everything from total printer repairs to individual component repairs. However, as our repair rates may not be the most budget-friendly, we strongly encourage self-research and troubleshooting first. If unsure how to proceed, use our YouTube home page (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) and search for the appropriate repair videos.

Thanks for your support, and I hope this restores your ET-8550! If you have any other questions, please let me know.