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Epson Error 000031

What the code means · Diagnosis at a glance

Error 000031 appears as 'Printer error' followed by a six-digit code on the printer screen or in the printer window on your computer. Epson Japan says these codes indicate a fault and that repair should be considered, but 000031 is one of the few codes it lets owners try to clear first: reseat the ink cartridges, look for foreign objects around the print head, check the paper cassette and the rear unit for jammed paper, clean the semi-transparent film inside the printer, and update the firmware where your model has an update. If the error remains or keeps coming back, Epson says the printer needs repair.

Jump to the fix ↓ Epson Japan FAQ 50404: printer or scanner error with a six-digit error code (Japanese) ↗
Disconnect power firstTurn the printer off and unplug it before you reach inside to look for paper or foreign objects.
Ink can stainWhen you reseat the ink cartridges, use your model's cartridge replacement procedure. Epson warns not to move the print head by force.
Model-specificEpson's six-digit code table is published by Epson Japan, in Japanese, and does not list models. On the VP-F4400 and VP-F4400N dot-matrix printers, 000031 means an abnormality in the motor control system.
May need a technicianIf 000031 remains after every Epson step, or keeps coming back, Epson says the printer needs repair.

Affected brands & models

Epson printers and all-in-ones that show 'Printer error' or 'Scanner error' with a six-digit code (Epson Japan FAQ 50404)Epson EW-M754TB and EW-M754TW (Japan): firmware fixes for 000025, 000041, 000052 and 302621Epson VP-F4400 and VP-F4400N dot-matrix printers, where 000031 has its own meaning (motor control system)

Diagnosis at a glance

Likely causes ranked, with severity and the recommended action.

Ink cartridges that need reseating Quick fix Likelihood: Epson step 1Action: Reseat the ink cartridges with your model's cartridge replacement procedure; do not force the print head by hand
A foreign object near the print head Attention Likelihood: Epson step 2Action: Check around the print head (the part that moves left and right while printing) and deep in the right and left corners
Paper jammed behind the paper cassette Attention Likelihood: Epson step 3 (models with a cassette)Action: Remove the cassette and look inside the opening for jammed paper
Paper jammed in the rear unit or the printer section Attention Likelihood: Epson step 4 (models with a cassette)Action: Remove the rear unit and check both the rear unit and the printer section for jammed paper
A dirty semi-transparent film inside the printer Attention Likelihood: Epson step 5Action: Clean the film with the cleaning procedure Epson links from its FAQ
Firmware that has a fix for this code Attention Likelihood: Epson step 6 (some models only)Action: Check your model's software download page and update the firmware to the latest version
A fault that remains after every Epson step Service Likelihood: Last resortAction: Arrange a repair with Epson; Epson also says repair is needed if the error keeps coming back

What the code means

During use or right after the printer starts, an Epson printer can show 'Printer error' or 'Scanner error' followed by an error code, either on its LCD screen or in the printer window on your computer. Epson Japan's FAQ 50404 says this indicates that some fault has occurred and that you should consider a repair. It adds that a small number of codes can be resolved, or temporarily worked around, by the owner, and 000031 is one of them.

For inkjet printers Epson does not say which part 000031 points to. It gives a list of actions: reseat the ink cartridges, remove paper jams and foreign objects in the printer section (around the print head, behind the cassette and in the rear unit), clean the semi-transparent film, and on some models update the firmware. If none of that works, the printer needs repair.

Epson's table groups the six-digit codes by what you can try. 000021-000025, 000032 and 000033 get the same five steps as 000031, without the firmware step. 000041 gets the paper and foreign object checks plus a firmware update on some models. 000043, 000044, 000047, 000051 and 034001 get the paper and foreign object checks only. 034004 gets the same checks, and on some models a firmware update makes it show as an ordinary paper jam error. 031000-031009, 031011 and 100016 point to a firmware update on some models. 202600, 202620, 202621, 301505, 302600, 302608, 302621, 302626, 308100 and 308202 point to a firmware update and then a restart of your wireless router. 100054 is a document jam in the automatic document feeder, and 060002 is fixed by deleting and reinstalling the printer driver on your computer.

Epson also flags codes that people tend to misread. It says 010016 is probably 100016, 003401 and 003404 are probably 034001 and 034004, 003306 and 003307 are probably 033006 and 033007, 006002 is probably 060002, 010054 is probably 100054, 020260 is probably 202600, and 030260 and 030810 are probably 302600 and 308100. Check the code on the screen again before you follow the steps.

This table is published by Epson Japan, in Japanese. Four-digit codes such as 0xEA are covered in Epson Japan's FAQ 50403, and E-xx, I-xx and W-xx codes have their own FAQ. On the VP-F4400 and VP-F4400N dot-matrix printers, Epson gives 000031 a different meaning: an abnormality detected in the motor control system, cleared by turning the printer off and on and checking for jammed paper.

Most frequent causes

  • Ink cartridges that are not seated properly (Epson's first step is to reseat them).
  • A foreign object around the print head or at the back of the right or left corner of the printer.
  • Jammed paper behind the paper cassette, on models that feed from a cassette.
  • Jammed paper in the rear unit or the printer section, on models that feed from a cassette.
  • A semi-transparent film inside the printer that needs cleaning.
  • Firmware that Epson has updated for this error on some models.
  • A fault that Epson says needs repair when the steps do not clear the code.

Quick fix: try this first

  1. Write down the full six-digit code and check it against Epson's list of misread codes.
  2. Reseat the ink cartridges using your model's normal cartridge replacement procedure.
  3. Look around the print head and in the back corners for paper or foreign objects.
  4. On cassette models, remove the cassette and the rear unit and clear any jammed paper.
  5. Check your model's download page for a firmware update.

Step-by-step solution

0 / 8 done

Tick each step as you go. Your progress is kept while you work.

Before you start

  • Write down the exact six-digit code shown with 'Printer error'.
  • Find your exact model name; the cassette, rear unit and firmware steps depend on the model.
  • Turn the printer off and unplug it before you reach inside to look for paper or objects.
  • Have your model's cartridge replacement instructions ready before you reseat the cartridges.

What not to do

  • ×Do not move the print head by force when you reseat the ink cartridges; Epson warns against it.
  • ×Do not reach inside the printer while it is plugged in.
  • ×Do not restart your router for a network code such as 202620 without checking what else is connected; Epson notes the restart affects other devices and the phone line.
  • ×Do not install firmware made for another model or region; Epson Japan's updater 45677 is for the EW-M754TB and EW-M754TW and its terms limit use to Japan.
  • ×Do not keep clearing the code if it returns often; Epson says that needs a repair.

When to stop & call support

Stop and arrange a repair if 000031 is still shown after you have reseated the cartridges, cleared the print head area, the cassette and the rear unit, cleaned the semi-transparent film and checked for firmware. Epson Japan says a repair is also needed when the error keeps coming back after the FAQ steps, or when your code is not in its table. Contact Epson support in your country for repair options.

If the error comes back

Epson says a code that recurs often after you follow its FAQ needs a repair. Firmware can also matter: on the EW-M754TB and EW-M754TW, Epson's firmware NX06M7 fixed fatal error 000041 when opening or closing the output tray, noting that repeated errors could strain and break the roller gear, and fixed 000025 after clearing a jam caused by closing the output tray during printing. Check whether your model has a similar update.

Related parts & consumables

Print headThe part that moves left and right while printing; check around it for foreign objects
Ink cartridgesEpson's first step for 000031 is to reseat them without forcing the print head
Paper cassetteOn cassette models, remove it and look inside the opening for jammed paper
Rear unitOn cassette models, remove it and check it and the printer section for jammed paper
Semi-transparent filmFilm inside the printer that Epson says to clean with its own procedure

Questions about Epson 000031

What does Epson error 000031 mean?

It is a 'Printer error' fault code. Epson Japan says these codes indicate a fault, but for 000031 it lists owner steps first: reseat the ink cartridges, clear paper or objects around the print head, the cassette and the rear unit, clean the semi-transparent film and, on some models, update the firmware. If it persists, the printer needs repair.

How do I fix Epson error 034004?

Epson treats 034004 as a paper jam or foreign object problem: check around the print head and in the back corners, remove the cassette and look inside, and remove the rear unit to check for paper. On some models a firmware update makes it show as an ordinary paper jam error. Epson says 003404 is probably a misread 034004.

What is Epson error 100016?

For 100016, Epson's only owner step is a firmware update, which helps on some models: check your model's software download page. If the error stays, the printer needs repair. Epson notes that 010016 is probably a misread 100016.

How do I fix Epson error 202620?

Update the printer firmware to the latest version first. If that does not clear it, restart your wireless router or other network equipment, after checking what else is connected, since Epson notes the restart affects other devices and the phone line. If it persists, the printer needs repair.

What do Epson errors 000041 and 000043 mean?

Epson handles both as paper jam or foreign object problems: check around the print head, behind the cassette and in the rear unit. For 000041, some models also need a firmware update; on the EW-M754TB and EW-M754TW, Epson fixed a 000041 error triggered by opening or closing the output tray. 000044, 000047 and 000051 get the same checks as 000043.

Why does Epson error 000031 keep coming back?

Epson Japan says that if the error recurs often after you follow its FAQ steps, the printer needs repair. Check first whether your model has a firmware update, since Epson lists that as a fix for 000031 on some models.

PrinterErrors editorial team

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