Epson Error 000031 — What It Means & How to Fix It
Updated July 2026 · Independent PrinterCare USA support guide
The 000031 error on Epson EcoTank printers is one of the more frustrating issues you can encounter because it completely locks up scanning and copying functions. This error specifically tells you that the scanner carriage—the moving rail assembly inside your printer—has either jammed, lost its position reference, or encountered something blocking its path.
The good news is that most users can resolve this error themselves in under fifteen minutes by following the steps below. This guide walks you through the process from basic troubleshooting all the way to more advanced internal checks that professional technicians use in the field.
How to fix it — step by step
- Power cycle the printer completely. Turn off your Epson EcoTank printer using the power button and unplug it from the electrical outlet. Wait for thirty seconds to allow all residual power to drain from the system. Plug the printer back in and turn it on, then wait for it to complete its startup sequence and initialization.
- Check for physical obstructions inside the scanner area. Open the scanner cover or access panel on top of your printer where you normally place documents. Look inside the scanner chamber for any visible debris, torn pieces of paper, or foreign objects that might be blocking the carriage rails. Carefully remove any obstructions using a flashlight to see clearly into the darker areas of the mechanism.
- Manually move the scanner carriage to home position. With the printer powered on, locate the scanner carriage rail inside the open scanner area. Gently push the carriage toward the right side of the printer until you feel it stop naturally at the home position—you may hear a small click or position confirmation sound. Do not force it or push past the natural endpoint, as this can cause damage to the stepper motor.
- Clean the scanner carriage rails and contacts. While the scanner cover is open, use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to wipe along the metal rails where the carriage moves. Pay special attention to the optical sensors on the left side of the scanner area, as dust or ink residue on these sensors frequently causes error 000031. Use gentle circular motions and avoid pressing hard on any electrical components.
- Run a test scan to verify the carriage moves freely. Close the scanner cover and attempt to run a test scan either through your computer software or the printer's built-in menu. If the carriage moves smoothly across the full range and the scan completes, the error should be resolved. If you hear grinding sounds or resistance during the scan, stop immediately and proceed to the next step.
- Perform a printer reset through the control panel. Access your printer's settings menu using the control panel buttons or touchscreen. Look for an option labeled Reset or Restore Settings and select Reset All or Factory Reset. Confirm the reset when prompted—note that this will reset all custom settings but will not erase your wireless network configuration or ink levels.
- Update or reinstall printer driver software on your computer. Visit the official Epson support website on your Windows 11 or macOS computer and download the latest driver and scanner software for your specific EcoTank model. Uninstall the current printer drivers completely from your system, restart your computer, then install the fresh drivers. This resolves software-side communication issues that sometimes trigger false carriage error codes.
- Contact remote support if the error persists. If you have completed all steps above and error 000031 continues to appear, the carriage stepper motor or optical encoder may be failing. Contact Epson support and request remote assistance for a diagnostic fee of forty nine dollars, where a technician can run hardware tests and advise you on repair or replacement options.
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Frequently asked questions
Will error 000031 go away on its own or will it damage my printer?
The error will not resolve itself and leaving it unaddressed may cause the stepper motor to wear out prematurely from repeated failed positioning attempts. However, the error itself is the printer's safety mechanism preventing damage, so your printer will not break further while displaying this code. It simply cannot scan or copy until you clear the error.
Can I still print documents while error 000031 is showing?
Yes, regular printing from your computer to the printer should work normally because printing uses a different mechanism than scanning. Only scanning, copying, and faxing functions are disabled by the 000031 error. If you need to copy documents, you can print to a PDF instead and use another device to scan.
Is error 000031 covered under the Epson warranty?
Error 000031 resulting from a manufacturing defect or component failure is typically covered under the one year standard limited warranty, provided you purchased from an authorized retailer. However, if the error was caused by user damage, impact, or mishandling, warranty coverage may be denied. Contact Epson support with your serial number and purchase date to verify your coverage.
What is the difference between error 000031 and other Epson scanner errors like 000032?
Error 000031 specifically indicates the scanner carriage mechanism is stuck or misaligned, while error 000032 typically points to an autocorrect or document feeder problem. Error 000031 requires you to physically access the scanner area, whereas 000032 usually resolves with software updates or tray resets. Always note the exact error code since the fixes differ significantly.