Epson EcoTank ET-4850: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the Epson EcoTank ET-4850 right for you?

The ET-4850 is the fully equipped compact EcoTank: 250-sheet cassette, fax, ADF, Ethernet and auto duplex with the 542 or 102 pigment black ink set depending on region. It is the model most small businesses should look at if they want one tank printer to do everything. The cassette and ADF feed reliably, but the ADF only scans single-sided and the pigment black needs weekly use to stay clear. Epson's firmware on this generation can flag non-genuine ink, so stick with the official bottles.

Best for: Small businesses wanting a complete office tank printer

Setting up the Epson EcoTank ET-4850

Buy the 542 bottles in North America or 102 bottles in Europe. Ethernet is the most reliable connection for fax-sharing offices; otherwise Smart Panel over 2.4 GHz. Enable duplex in the driver, install ScanSmart from the regional support site, and run the fax setup wizard from the panel before the first transmission.

1. Unbox and prepare. Remove every piece of shipping tape and packing material, install the ink bottles (fill each tank to the upper line), and load paper in the tray.
2. Join your Wi-Fi. Keep the printer close to the router for setup. Most printers only connect to the 2.4GHz band, so if your router broadcasts one merged network name you may need to split the bands temporarily. See our Wi-Fi guide if it will not join.
3. Install the setup app. Use Epson's official app rather than a driver you found on a search result — third-party driver sites are the most common source of printer malware.
4. Add the printer. On Windows 11: Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners › Add device. On macOS: System Settings › Printers & Scanners › Add Printer.
5. Print a test page and run a scan if this is an all-in-one, so you find any problem now rather than when you are in a hurry.

Ink, toner and supplies

The Epson EcoTank ET-4850 uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• Epson 542 Black (US)
• Epson 102 Black (UK/EU)
• Epson 542/102 Cyan/Magenta/Yellow ink bottles

High-yield (XL) versions almost always cost less per page if you print regularly. On third-party ink and toner, read our honest assessment first, and note that some manufacturers push firmware that rejects non-original chips.

Full specifications