Epson EcoTank ET-2850 troubleshooting

Published specification

What is true of this model and changes how you fix it

• Official specifications, confirmed no ADF
  10.5 ppm black / 5.0 ppm color — well under the ET-3850/4850's 15.5/8.5 ppm. Epson's own listing confirms no second paper tray, no ADF and no fax — scanning/copying uses the flatbed only, so multi-page documents must be fed one sheet at a time. 1.4" color LCD (smaller than the ET-3850/4850's 2.4").
• Type — compact refillable INK TANK all-in-one (EcoTank)
  A compact cartridge-free EcoTank inkjet AIO (print/scan/copy) — refillable ink BOTTLES for very low cost per page.
• Initial charging & refills
  First setup charges the head with starter ink (normal). Refill keyed bottles when low; don't run tanks dry.
• Connectivity
  Wi-Fi/USB via Epson Smart Panel; 'offline' is usually a Wi-Fi drop or wrong queue.
• Paper and size
  A 100-sheet tray, a 1.4-inch display, 14.8 x 22.3 x 10.2 in with the paper support and output tray extended.
• Speed
  10.5 ISO ppm black and 5 color, at up to 5,760 x 1,440 dpi. Reviewers place it in the home rather than a busy office.
• Identification
  The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 has its serial on a label at the back. Epson's Connect and drivers need the model. The Epson Smart Panel app finds the printer.
• Ink bottles
  The EcoTank takes ink from bottles into tanks at the front. Use the bottle for each color, keep the bottle upright while you pour and fill gently. Epson recommends its own ink.
• Maintenance
  The printer's maintenance box collects waste ink. When the printer warns that it is nearly full, contact Epson for a replacement, since a full box stops printing.
• Smart Panel and setup
  The Epson Smart Panel app sets up the printer and lets you scan and print from a phone. During setup, the printer fills its heads with ink, which takes a few minutes, so do not turn it off.
• Printing tips
  Use Epson paper for photos. For plain paper, the standard setting works. If a color looks weak, run a nozzle check and a head cleaning. Print something every week.
• Warranty and supplies
  Epson's warranty starts at purchase, and Epson's site lists the bottles for the ET-2850. Keep a set of spare bottles. Do not use ink from other tanks, because it can clog the heads.
• Paper and photos
  The ET-2850 prints on plain paper and on photo paper up to the sizes in the manual. Choose the paper type in the driver so that the right amount of ink is used. A stack of paper that is too thick can jam, so load only as much as the tray allows.
• Connecting
  Set up Wi-Fi from the printer's panel or the Epson Smart Panel app. If the printer is offline, restart it and the router, and check that its address has not changed. A USB connection works as a test.

Where these figures were read. epson.com/For-Work/Printers/Inkjet/EcoTank-ET-2850-Wireless-Color-All-in-One-Cartridge-Free-Supertank-Printer-with-Scan,-Copy-and-Auto-2-sided-Printing/p/C11CJ63201 (Epson US product page)

Manufacturer support for this product line. Epson Support — Printer support. Official Epson model manuals, drivers, ink, paper and maintenance support.

Also read for this model. Tom's Guide — Epson EcoTank ET-2850 review; Consumer Reports — Epson EcoTank ET-2850 review.