Epson EcoTank ET-5170: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the Epson EcoTank ET-5170 right for you?

The ET-5170 adds a 30-sheet ADF and fax to the ET-5150's all-pigment engine, which makes it a good fit for a small firm that wants durable colour documents and also scans contracts. It is the quickest compact EcoTank with an ADF, and the gray channel improves photo tonality over the four-colour models. Like its sibling it needs regular use to keep the five pigment channels clear, and the cassette should be loaded with plain paper only to avoid duplex jams.

Best for: Small firms wanting pigment colour documents plus ADF and fax

Setting up the Epson EcoTank ET-5170

Set up with Smart Panel over 2.4 GHz or use Ethernet, then run the fax wizard from the LCD if you connect a phone line. Install ScanSmart for ADF scanning to PDF on a PC. Enable automatic duplex in the driver and avoid glossy photo paper in the cassette.

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-5170 uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• Epson 552 Black
• Epson 552 Cyan/Magenta/Yellow/Gray 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