How to Fix Epson 00031 Error? - (Sure Fire Solutions!)

When you encounter an Epson 00031 error, don’t panic! There are many things you can do to clear the issue. First, let us discuss the causes so that you can select the proper solution.

Many users claim the error usually occurs when they install the cartridges incorrectly or when the printer has a paper jam.

Sometimes, it also happens when they forget to remove the packing material properly.

If you see the Epson error 00031, don’t worry. We got you covered!

To fix the Epson 00031 error, first, restart your printer. If a simple power cycle doesn’t work, reinstall your printer’s ink cartridges and refill the ink tank properly. More importantly, remove the jammed paper.

Before moving on to the troubleshooting steps, here are the possible reasons you see the Epson 00031 error.

Causes of Epson Error 00031

The Epson 00031 error generally occurs when there’s a glitch in the scanner.

It also happens when you remove the packing materials underneath the scanner. In this case, reinstall the ink cartridge and reconfigure your printer to default.

Here are other causes of Epson Error 00031:

1. Paper Jam

When you see this error, it means the paper is jammed in the printer. Removing the paper jam sometimes fixes the issue.

2. Ink Cartridge Issue

You will likely see the error if you use some local brand of ink instead of genuine Epson inks. The printer immediately detects the low-quality ink and stops printing.

3. Software Glitch

A glitch in the software may also cause Error 00031 in your Epson printer. It usually depicts a hardware problem.

4. Internal Hardware Malfunction

The culprit may be missing or corrupt drivers. Or your printer’s waste ink disposal mechanism is unable to function properly.

When you see the Epson 00031 error, it is due to the above causes. Now, we can proceed to the solutions.

How to Fix Epson Printer Error 00031

Before you resort to more elaborate solutions, try restarting your printer and see if it fixes the issue.

A reboot should flush out any temporary issues and can resolve the 00031 error right away.

You won’t be wasting any more time and effort if this step fixes the error for you.

If the Epson 00031 Error persists, try the troubleshooting steps below:

Solution #1: Reinstall Your Printer’s Ink Cartridges

If restarting your Epson printer does not resolve the error, your ink cartridges are likely the culprit.

Your printer’s cartridges come with sensitive electronics that can detect certain inconsistencies with the hardware.

One reason that can cause the Epson 00031 error is your ink cartridges are not placed properly in the printer mechanism.

They’re not installed correctly, and the contacts between the cartridges and printer are not in proximity to each other.

Here’s how to reinstall your printer’s ink cartridges:

Switch your printer on.
Lift the hood or scanner unit to open the printer.
Press the Stop button on the printer.
Press the tab and lift the cartridge.
Insert the cartridge again into the holder.

Note: If your cartridges run out of ink, you’ll need to replace them with a fresh one as it can also resolve this particular error.

Solution #2: Refill Your Epson Ink Tank Properly

If your printer comes with an ink tank, you can still get this error when your tank is running out of contents.

When this happens to your printer, you can look at your tanks and make sure that it’s filled up.

Here’s how to refill your Epson ink tanks:

Select Setup, then Maintenance, and Reset Ink Levels.
Open the tank cover and remove the ink cap.
Get the ink refill bottle and open it.
Refill the tank with the correct color up to the upper line.
Put the ink cap and tank cover after you’re done.

Note: You’ll need to specify the ink tanks you refilled on your printer’s software.

Solution #3: Remove the Jammed Paper

Paper jams can also cause the 00031 error to appear on your Epson printer.

Even though not all jams can cause this particular error, there are sensors inside your printer that can detect if a piece of paper is still stuck.

It’s not necessarily a piece of paper, but dust and dirt can also cause the 00031 error.

If you suddenly get this, you’ll need to open up your printer and check for any unwanted objects inside your printer’s printing mechanisms.

Here’s how to properly remove a paper jam:

Cancel all print jobs on your computer.
Open your printer’s front cover.
Check the inside for signs of a paper jam or dust and dirt.
Pull the paper carefully.
You may need to remove fragments of paper if it breaks.

Note: You can also remove dust and dirt inside your printer to resolve this error.

Solution #4: Wash Your Printer’s Ink Tubes

Obstructions on your printer’s ink tubes can also cause the 00031 on your Epson printer.

If your printer has a hard time pushing the ink to the printhead, it can malfunction and display this error so you can fix it.

Epson printers come with a wash function that allows you to get rid of ink from your tubes and bring it to your waste ink bottle.

It’s essential that you get the insides of your printer squeaky clean, so you always have the best experience with your Epson printer.

This solution will require you to use cleaning cartridges, so we highly recommend that you get them as they will be worth it in the long run.

Here’s how to wash your printer’s ink tubes:

Switch on your printer, and press the Maintenance button.
Navigate to Tube Washing, and select it.
Highlight White Ink or Color Ink, then select it.
Wait for the display to say the cleaning process is complete.

Tip: You will need to do the cleaning process multiple times to flush out waste ink from your ink tubes successfully.

Solution #5: Reset Your Epson Printer

One of the quickest ways to resolve this error would be to reset your printer to factory defaults.

Only do this step if you’re sure none of the steps above helped you get rid of the error.

Doing this should eliminate any issues your printer has and allow you to open it up and remove any stuck dust, dirt, or pieces of paper.

Here’s how to reset your Epson printer:

Cancel all your print jobs and switch off your printer.
Turn it on again and wait for it to display the 00031 error.
Connect your printer to your computer via a USB cable.
Open Control Panel on your computer and select Printer and device.
Locate your printer and choose Reset.

Tip: Run a test print after the reset process is completed to make sure that the error is resolved.

Solution #6: Re-Initialize Your Printer

As a last resort, you can also re-initialize your Epson printer. This involves the EEPROM module, which stores all the important data to operate your printer.

This acts like a factory reset but does it with the ROM instead of reverting your printer’s software.

Here are the steps to re-initialize your printer:

Cancel your print jobs and turn off your printer.
Press the Copy and Stop/Reset buttons.
Turn on your printer and wait for init.EEPROM to appear.
Release all the buttons and click on the Copy Color button.
Turn your printer off and turn it on after a few minutes.

Note: Check if the 00031 error codes come up after your printer powers up again.

These steps will help you resolve the 00031 error successfully.

If ever it comes up again, you can contact Epson customer support as they will be able to assist you in determining the error.

Bottom Line

Now that you know how to fix the Epson 00031 error, you should be able to resolve it using the solutions described above.

As long as you follow the steps carefully, you can get rid of this error on your printer, allowing you to continue to use it without any issues.

Kevin Wood

Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites.