Quick fix Epson

Epson Error E1460-B305

What the code means · Diagnosis at a glance

Epson Europe says error E1460-B305, or E583-B308, is received when an Epson device that supports USB 3.0 is plugged into a computer that also supports USB 3.0, but the connection runs through a USB 2.0 port or a USB 2.0 cable. It does not happen on computers that only support USB 2.0. Epson gives two temporary solutions (a USB 3.0 port with a USB 3.0 cable, or another USB port) and one permanent solution: set the device to USB 2.0 Compatible Mode in the EPSON Scan Maintenance Utility on Windows. Epson Japan lists three related USB errors that stop Epson Scan 2 from starting: E425-B202, E581-B319 and E583-B318.

Jump to the fix ↓ Epson Europe KA-01406: Error "E1460-B305" / "E583-B308" occurs when connected to a USB 2.0 port ↗
Safe to tryEvery step here is a cable, port or software setting change. You do not need to open the scanner or the printer.
Model-specificEpson's KA-01406 lists specific USB 3.0 business inkjet printers and DS, ES and FF scanners. E425-B202, E581-B319 and E583-B318 come from Epson Japan's FAQ 51961, in Japanese, and have their own fix on that page.
May need a technicianIf the utility reports 'Failed to set USB2.0 compatible mode setting' and the driver and connection are fine, the firmware may not support the setting. Contact Epson support.

Affected brands & models

Epson business inkjet printers with USB 3.0: WF-C869R/C869Ra, WF-C8610, WF-C8690/C8690a, WF-C878R/C878Ra, WF-C879R/C879Ra, WF-C20590/C20590a, WF-C17590/C17590a and WF-M20590 (Epson Europe KA-01406)Epson scanners with USB 3.0: DS-310, DS-320, DS-360W, ES-200, ES-300W/300WR, DS-530/535/535H, DS-570W, DS-770/775, DS-780N, DS-865, DS-870/875, DS-970/975, ES-400, ES-500W/500WR, FF-680W, DS-1610, DS-1630 and DS-1660W (Epson Europe KA-01406)Computers that support USB 3.0; Epson says the problem does not occur on computers that only support USB 2.0Epson Scan 2 over USB showing E425-B202, E581-B319 or E583-B318 (Epson Japan FAQ 51961, no model list captured)

Diagnosis at a glance

Likely causes ranked, with severity and the recommended action.

USB 3.0 Epson device plugged into a USB 2.0 port on a USB 3.0 computer Quick fix Likelihood: Epson's stated causeAction: Move the cable to a USB 3.0 port and use a USB 3.0 cable
USB 2.0 cable used on a USB 3.0 port Quick fix Likelihood: Epson's stated causeAction: Check the cable connector: blue inner resin is USB 3.0, black is USB 2.0; swap to a USB 3.0 cable
The current USB port Quick fix Likelihood: Epson temporary solution 2Action: Disconnect the USB cable from the computer and try another USB port
The device needs to run in USB 2.0 compatibility on this computer Attention Likelihood: Epson permanent solutionAction: Set USB 2.0 Compatible Mode in the EPSON Scan Maintenance Utility (Esmutl.exe), then turn the device off and on
Scanner driver not installed properly, or computer and device not connected properly Attention Likelihood: When the utility shows 'No Scanner'Action: Install the scanner driver from the product manual and check the connection to the computer
Printer or scanner firmware that does not support the USB 2.0 setting Service Likelihood: When the utility shows 'Failed to set USB2.0 compatible mode setting'Action: Check the driver and the connection first; if the firmware does not support the setting, contact Epson support

What the code means

Epson Europe's FAQ KA-01406 covers two codes, E1460-B305 and E583-B308. Both are received while an Epson device is connected by USB to a computer that supports USB 3.0. The cause is a USB 3.0 Epson device that reaches the computer through a USB 2.0 port, or through a USB 3.0 port with a USB 2.0 cable. Epson notes that the problem does not occur on computers that only support USB 2.0.

The affected devices are not only scanners. Epson lists business inkjet printers such as the WF-C8610 and WF-C20590 next to DS and ES series scanners and the FF-680W.

Epson calls the port and cable changes temporary solutions. Its permanent solution is a setting on the device, USB 2.0 Compatible Mode, which you change from the EPSON Scan Maintenance Utility on Windows.

Epson Japan's FAQ 51961, in Japanese, describes three other codes shown when Epson Scan 2 does not start over a USB connection. E425-B202 reads 'An error occurred in Epson Scan 2. Check the scanner status. Epson Scan 2 will close.' E581-B319 means the data could not be received, and E583-B318 means the data could not be sent. Epson Japan gives its fix through an interactive questionnaire on that page, which is not reproduced here.

The older EPSON Scan software shows a different message, 'Cannot communicate with the scanner'. Epson Europe covers it in KA-01403 with its own USB and network checks.

Most frequent causes

  • A USB 3.0 Epson device connected to a USB 2.0 port on a computer that supports USB 3.0.
  • A USB 2.0 cable used to connect the device to a USB 3.0 port.
  • A USB port that does not work with the device, which Epson's second temporary solution addresses by trying another port.
  • For the E425-B202, E581-B319 and E583-B318 group: Epson Scan 2 failing to start over USB, with data that could not be received or sent.

Quick fix: try this first

  1. Look at the USB cable connector: blue inner resin means USB 3.0, black means USB 2.0.
  2. Plug the device into a USB 3.0 port with a USB 3.0 cable.
  3. Unplug the USB cable from the computer and try another USB port.
  4. If the error comes back, set USB 2.0 Compatible Mode in the EPSON Scan Maintenance Utility on Windows.
  5. If Epson Scan 2 still does not start, restart the computer and connect the scanner directly, without a USB hub.

Step-by-step solution

0 / 11 done

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

Before you start

  • Write down the exact code: E1460-B305 and E583-B308 have a different Epson article from E425-B202, E581-B319 and E583-B318.
  • Find your exact model name and check whether it is in Epson's KA-01406 list.
  • Have a USB 3.0 cable to hand; its connector has blue inner resin.
  • For the permanent fix, make sure the scanner driver is installed and you can approve a User Account Control prompt on Windows.

What not to do

  • ×Do not release the Ctrl key before the User Account Control dialog and the utility's main screen appear, or the Scanner Settings button may not show.
  • ×Do not expect the USB 2.0 setting to work if the utility shows 'No Scanner'; fix the driver or the connection first.
  • ×Do not apply the KA-01406 steps to codes it does not list; E425-B202, E581-B319 and E583-B318 are covered by a separate Epson Japan FAQ.
  • ×Do not connect the scanner through a chain of USB hubs; Epson's guide says it may not work properly through a hub.

When to stop & call support

Stop and contact Epson support if the utility keeps showing 'Failed to set USB2.0 compatible mode setting' after you have reinstalled the scanner driver and checked the connection, because Epson says the printer or scanner firmware may not support the setting. For the older EPSON Scan, Epson says to uninstall and reinstall it and reconfigure the connection, and to contact Epson Support if the problem persists.

If the error comes back

Epson calls the port and cable changes temporary solutions, so E1460-B305 or E583-B308 can return if the device ends up on a USB 2.0 port or a USB 2.0 cable again. The permanent solution Epson gives is USB 2.0 Compatible Mode, which you can check at any time in the utility's Scanner Settings. If Epson Scan 2 stops starting after an operating system upgrade, Epson's guide says to reinstall Epson Scan 2.

Related parts & consumables

USB 3.0 cableEpson says the inner resin of the connector is blue
USB 2.0 cableEpson says the inner resin of the connector is black; on a USB 3.0 computer it can trigger E1460-B305
EPSON Scan Maintenance Utility (Esmutl.exe)In C:\Program Files (x86)\epson\Epson Scan 2\Utility; start it with Ctrl held down to reach Scanner Settings

Questions about Epson E1460-B305

What does Epson error E1460-B305 mean?

Epson Europe says E1460-B305, like E583-B308, is received when a USB 3.0 Epson device is connected to a computer that supports USB 3.0 through a USB 2.0 port, or through a USB 3.0 port with a USB 2.0 cable. It does not occur on computers that only support USB 2.0.

How do I fix the Epson error message E1460-B305?

Connect the device to a USB 3.0 port with a USB 3.0 cable (blue inner resin in the connector), or try another USB port. Epson calls those temporary. The permanent fix is USB 2.0 Compatible Mode: hold Ctrl and double-click Esmutl.exe in the Epson Scan 2 Utility folder, open Scanner Settings, choose the mode, click OK and turn the device off and on.

What does 'Epson Scan 2 error has occurred' mean?

With code E425-B202, Epson Japan gives the full message as 'An error occurred in Epson Scan 2. Check the scanner status. Epson Scan 2 will close.' It is one of three codes Epson Japan lists for Epson Scan 2 not starting over USB. The same wording appears with other codes too: Epson US lists E425-B101 on the DS-530 when scanning a double-sided document.

What is Epson Scan 2 error E581-B319?

Epson Japan says E581-B319 means the data could not be received, and E583-B318 means the data could not be sent. Both appear when Epson Scan 2 does not start over a USB connection. Epson Japan's fix is an interactive questionnaire on its FAQ 51961; the general checks are to restart the computer, use the scanner's own USB cable and connect it directly, without a hub.

How do I fix an Epson scanner error when Epson Scan 2 will not start?

Epson's scanner guide says to restart the computer, use the USB cable that came with the scanner, check the scanner is on and the cables are secure, wake the computer from sleep, connect the scanner directly instead of through a USB hub, reinstall Epson Scan 2 after an operating system upgrade, and wait for the ready light to stop flashing.

Epson Scan says it cannot communicate with the scanner. What should I do?

That message comes from the older EPSON Scan. Epson Europe says to open Epson Scan Settings, select your product and click Test. Over USB on Windows 11, restart the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service, reconnect the cable at both ends, keep it no longer than 1.8m, try another cable and check Imaging Devices in Device Manager.

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