Epson W-01: paper jam warning on small-panel models

What causes it

• A sheet stalled between the rear feeder and the print stage
• Multiple sheets pulled in at once because the stack was not fanned
• Curled or damp paper catching on the guide
• A fragment left behind from a previous jam holding a sensor
• The rear feed guide set too wide, letting the sheet skew

How to fix it, in order

Work down the list and stop when the printer recovers. The steps are ordered from most likely and least invasive to last resort.

1. Turn the printer off before pulling anything

   Press the power button and let the machine shut down, then unplug it. Removing paper while the rollers are under power can tear the sheet and strip the drive. On these small XP and L models the whole path is short, so nothing needs to be dismantled once the power is off.

2. Pull the sheet out from the rear feeder

   Look into the rear feed tray at the top of the printer. If the sheet is visible there, pull it straight up and out with even pressure using both hands. If it will not move upwards, do not force it, because the leading edge is probably already gripped by the print rollers and it needs to come out the front instead.

3. Open the front cover and check the print stage

   Open the front output cover and look inside at the platen area under the print head. Slide the carriage aside by hand if it is in the way, then remove the sheet in the direction it was travelling. Check the sheet you remove is complete, with no torn strip left behind.

4. Check the rear cover on models that have one

   Some XP and L models have a small removable rear panel. Press its tabs, pull it off, and look for paper in the short duplex or return path. Refit it until both sides click, because a loose rear panel leaves the paper path open and causes repeat jams.

5. Reload paper correctly in the rear feeder

   Take out the stack, fan it, tap it square and load no more than the marked limit. Slide the edge guide in so it touches the paper without bending it. Paper that is even slightly curled at the leading edge will catch, so use flat sheets from the middle of a fresh ream if you are unsure.

6. Clear the warning and print a test page

   Reconnect power and switch the printer on. On most of these models you press the resume button, the one with a page and triangle symbol, to acknowledge that the jam is cleared. Then print a nozzle check from the printer itself by holding the resume button for a few seconds with the printer idle.

7. If W-01 returns with an empty printer, look for a sensor blockage

   A repeat W-01 with no visible paper means a small fragment is sitting on a paper sensor. Shine a torch through the rear feed slot and the front opening and look for slivers of paper against the white plastic. Remove them with tweezers and repeat the power cycle.

Printers that show this code

Frequently asked questions