Epson's jam procedure for the ET-2800 begins with warnings that matter. Never touch the buttons on the control panel while your hand is inside the product, since it may start and cause injury; do not touch protruding parts; take care not to trap fingers when opening the scanner unit. Remove the jammed paper carefully, because removing it forcefully may damage the printer, and avoid tilting the printer, standing it vertically or turning it upside down, because ink may leak.
The checks in more detail
Cancel the print job if needed. Remove any jammed paper from the rear paper feeder. Raise the control panel, open the inner cover, lift the scanner until it clicks into place and remove any jammed paper inside without touching the parts the diagram marks. Lift the scanner slightly and lower it, and when it catches lift it again and lower it completely; the scanner must be closed completely before it can be opened again.
Close the inner cover, lower the control panel and follow the LCD prompts to clear the error. Status code W-01 says paper is jammed: remove the paper, press the button the LCD indicates to clear the error, and if it continues turn the product off and on. Load paper in the rear feeder with the printable side up, below the limit, with edge guides snug, and use paper the printer supports. Keep paper in its wrapper, flat and dry, and fan it before loading.
If jams began after a move, check that the printer is level, since the paper path relies on the printer sitting flat. If jams began with a new ream, try another brand or weight, since paper that is too slick or too rough can double feed, and check the paper size on the printer matches what is loaded. A flashlight shone along the paper path finds a small scrap that the eye misses, and photographing the path before you start helps if a part moves.
Differential
Likely causes of “Epson printers shows a paper jam or repeatedly jams”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Forced paper removal
What separates it The printer is damaged after a jam because the paper was pulled out by force
How to confirm Remove the paper carefully, in the direction of travel, without pulling hard
- 2
An overfilled rear feeder
What separates it The paper jams on feeding because the rear feeder is overfilled
How to confirm Load the paper below the limit mark, in the rear feeder
- 3
Paper of the wrong type
What separates it The paper skews and jams because it is not the right type
How to confirm Use paper that the printer supports, and load one type at a time
- 4
A scrap left inside
What separates it The message W-01 returns because a scrap of paper is left inside
How to confirm Check inside the inner cover, and remove any scrap that remains
- 5
Tilting the printer
What separates it Ink leaks because the printer was tilted while a jam was being cleared
How to confirm Keep the printer level at all times, and do not tilt it
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Where in the printer the paper stopped
- Whether the jam repeats after you clear it
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCancel the job
ReversibleCancel the job if needed, and switch the printer off before you clear the jam.
Remove paper from the rear feeder
ReversibleRemove any paper from the rear feeder, gently, so that it does not tear, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Open the inner cover
ReversibleOpen the inner cover by lifting the scanner, and look for the jammed paper, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Remove jammed paper
ReversibleRemove the jammed paper, taking care not to touch the marked parts inside, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Close the scanner fully
ReversibleClose the scanner fully, and then close the cover, before you carry on, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Follow the LCD
ReversibleFollow the screen, which tells you when the error is cleared, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Reload paper
ReversibleReload the paper, keeping the stack below the limit mark, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Ink tank models
- EcoTank printers have ink tanks that can leak if the printer is tilted.
- WorkForce
- WorkForce Pro models have front cassettes as well as rear feeds.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models EcoTank ET-2850, EcoTank ET-3850, EcoTank Photo ET-8550, Expression Premium XP-7100, P700, WorkForce Pro WF-4830, WorkForce Pro WF-7840.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If W-01 returns with no paper, turn the product off and on, then check inside the scanner unit
- !If jams repeat on fresh paper, contact Epson
- !If ink leaked, stop, and contact Epson before you use the printer
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Clearing a jam on the ET-2800.
E, W and I codes, ink pads and Recovery Mode.
Banding fixes.
Errors, Power Cleaning, Event Manager and maintenance box.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Can I tilt the printer to clear a jam?+
No, do not tilt the printer to clear a jam, since ink may leak.
Why not touch the buttons?+
The product may start and cause injury.
Where do I look?+
The rear feeder and inside the inner cover.
Should I force the paper?+
No, do not force the paper, since that can damage the printer.
Must the scanner close fully?+
Yes, the scanner must close fully, before you can open it again.
How do I clear the error?+
Press the button the LCD shows.
What if it continues?+
Turn the product off and on.
Can wrong paper jam?+
Yes, wrong paper can jam, so use paper that the printer supports.
What is Epson Software Updater?+
It is a utility that updates Epson software and printer firmware, from the computer.
What is Epson Event Manager?+
It is a utility that starts scanning from the printer's control panel, and Epson Scan 2 must be installed first.
What is the maintenance box?+
The maintenance box is a part that stores the surplus ink that is flushed out during head cleaning.
Are the ink pads user replaceable?+
On EcoTank models they are not, and an authorized service provider replaces them.
What is the lower line on an ink tank?+
It is the level below which continued use could damage the product, so refill before ink drops below it.