Epson “0x60A / 0x60B” — paper feed mechanism error

Joe B.

Expert ★★★★★ 27,853 satisfied customers

Specialities: Epson EcoTank/WorkForce/Expression, Paper feed systems, Sensors & encoders

Fix Epson 0x60A / 0x60B — paper feed mechanism error on XP / ET EcoTank / WorkForce printers

Technician

Hi! We can troubleshoot Epson error 0x60A / 0x60B. Both codes point to a paper feed mechanism error — the PF motor stalls or the paper feed encoder sensor can’t see motion.
To target the fix: which model (ET EcoTank, XP Expression, WF/WorkForce, L-series)? Rear feed or cassette? Did it start after a paper jam, heavy cardstock, or moving the printer?

Customer

It’s an Epson ET-2850 (EcoTank). Rear tray. The error 0x60B appeared after a small jam with glossy photo paper.

Technician

Thanks. On these EcoTank/Expression/WorkForce units, 0x60A and 0x60B usually mean: the pickup/feed rollers are slipping, a paper flag sensor is stuck with debris, the PF motor is jammed by scraps, or the encoder disk didn’t rotate as expected.
We’ll do a safe jam clear, clean the rollers, check the duplex path and rear feed guide, then run the built-in Paper Feed Cleaning utility.

Customer

I already pulled the paper out from the front. Maybe a small piece is still inside. Where should I open it?

Technician

Step 1 — Clear the paper path properly
1) Power off and unplug. Remove paper from the rear tray/cassette.
2) Open the rear cover. Inspect the pickup roller and guides; remove any torn scraps using tweezers (no sharp tools).
3) Open the front cover and pull out the duplex/transport unit if your model has one. Rotate the gray knobs to release trapped paper. Check the paper exit rollers and the small black paper flag—it should move freely and spring back.
4) Gently move the carriage by hand only if instructed onscreen; we don’t want a carriage lock error while fixing 0x60A.

Customer

I found a tiny strip behind the duplex rollers. Removed it. Do I need to clean the rollers too?

Technician

Yes — glossy paper leaves coating and dust that makes rollers slip, triggering paper feed mechanism error.
Step 2 — Clean pickup/feed rollers
• Use a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with water or 70–90% isopropyl alcohol. Wipe the rear pickup roller, the PF feed rollers inside, and the exit rollers. Rotate by hand to clean all surfaces.
• Let them dry 10 minutes. Avoid harsh solvents; they glaze rubber and worsen 0x60A/0x60B.
• Reload 10–15 sheets of plain 80–90 gsm paper (no curled/photo stock) to test.

Customer

Done. Should I run anything from the maintenance menu?

Technician

Step 3 — Reset & run Paper Feed Cleaning
• Plug in and power on. If 0x60A/0x60B shows immediately, power off, wait 30 seconds, power on again.
• From the control panel / Epson software go to Maintenance → Paper Feed Cleaning. This forces the PF motor to cycle and re-syncs the PF encoder sensor.
• Print a Nozzle Check or simple test page to confirm sheets feed smoothly.

Customer

The error returned with thicker cardstock. Is that related to 0x60B?

Technician

Likely. 0x60B often appears when the media is too thick or curls upward and stalls the PF motor.
• Use the rear feed for heavy paper if supported; set the correct Paper Type in the driver so feed speed/roller pressure adjusts.
• Fan and square the stack; load only 5–10 sheets. Remove warped or damp pages. Humidity causes multi-feed and PF slips that look like mechanism faults.

Customer

What if the encoder or PF motor is actually faulty? Any signs of that?

Technician

Signs of hardware trouble: loud clicking/grinding from the right side, sheets not moving at all, or the error appears without a jam.
• Shine a light at the PF encoder disk (small slotted wheel near the feed motor). If it’s covered in paper dust/ink, clean gently with a dry swab.
• Ensure the paper flag springs freely; a stuck flag confuses the paper present sensor and triggers 0x60A.
If these checks don’t help, the PF motor/gearbox or sensor may need service.

Customer

I moved the printer last week. Could a transport lock cause this?

Technician

Yes. Some models have a transport/duplex lock lever. If partially engaged, sheets hit resistance and the printer raises paper feed mechanism error.
Remove the duplex unit (if present), reseat it firmly, and make sure any blue/orange locks are fully released. Also check the rear guide wings aren’t folded inward.

Customer

After cleaning, plain paper feeds fine, but photo paper still errors. Any workaround?

Technician

Try this: in the driver select the exact Media Type (Premium Glossy/Matte), load one sheet in rear feed, and print with Borderless off and High Quality disabled for the test — slower feed reduces slips. If it still throws 0x60A/0x60B, the PF roller set may be worn and needs replacement.

Customer

Understood. If I need service, do I try a firmware or service-mode reset first?

Technician

Avoid service-mode resets unless guided — they don’t fix mechanical faults and can erase counters/settings. Regular power reset is fine. If cleaning the rollers/encoder, clearing the path, and running Paper Feed Cleaning don’t resolve 0x60A/0x60B, book service for the PF motor/gearbox or sensor. Need help with parts or a step-through? Open the chat.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix for Epson 0x60A / 0x60B paper feed mechanism error: remove all jammed scraps, clean pickup/feed rollers, check the paper flag and PF encoder disk, reseat the duplex/rear feed, then run Paper Feed Cleaning and test on plain 80–90 gsm paper. If errors persist, the PF motor/gear or sensor likely needs service.

FAQ

Step-by-step (works for ET/XP/WF models)

1. Power off and unplug; remove paper from all trays.
2. Open rear and front/duplex covers; remove scraps and check the paper flag.
3. Clean pickup and feed rollers; let dry 10 minutes.
4. Reload plain 80–90 gsm paper; power on; run Paper Feed Cleaning.
5. Print a test page; if using photo/cardstock, set exact Media Type and load 1–5 sheets.
6. If 0x60A/0x60B persists, likely PF motor/encoder wear—book service.

Notes for Windows & macOS

1. Driver media settings affect feed speed/pressure; choose the correct paper type.
2. Firmware updates don’t usually cause 0x60A/0x60B; these are mechanical, not driver errors.

Sources

• Epson Support — model manuals & error references
• Epson Maintenance guides — paper feed cleaning
• Epson Troubleshooting — paper jams and rollers

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