0xBC
Epson Printer
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
Error 0xBC on Epson all-in-one printers indicates a problem with the scanner unit. The scanner carriage — the lamp assembly that moves under the glass to scan documents — has failed to return to its home position during startup. This is often resolved by a simple power cycle, but a physically stuck scanner carriage requires manual intervention.
Affected Models
- Epson WorkForce WF-3640
- Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830
- Epson Expression Home XP-4105
- Epson WorkForce WF-2930
- Epson XP-8600
Common Causes
- The scanner carriage is stuck away from its home position after being interrupted mid-scan
- A small object such as a paper clip or staple has fallen under the scanner glass and is blocking the carriage
- The scanner carriage motor has failed and cannot move the lamp assembly
- The printer was moved while the scanner carriage was mid-travel and it jarred out of position
- The scanner lid was opened or closed forcefully while a scan was in progress, interrupting carriage movement
How to Fix It
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Turn the printer off and unplug it. Lift the scanner lid and look through the glass at the scanner bed below. Use a flashlight to look for any foreign objects — paper clips, staples, torn paper — that might be sitting on or under the glass.
The scanner carriage travels the full length of the glass bed. Even a small object can stop it completely if it is in the path.
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If the scanner glass can be lifted on your model, check beneath it for debris. If the glass is fixed, use a thin piece of stiff card to gently sweep the edges of the glass from outside the frame.
Most Epson all-in-one models have a fixed scanner glass that cannot be removed without tools.
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Close the scanner lid. Plug the printer back in and turn it on. During startup, the scanner carriage will attempt to return to its home position (you should hear it move). Listen for normal movement sounds.
If you hear movement and the error clears, the problem was transient. If you hear grinding or nothing, the carriage is still stuck.
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If the carriage is still stuck, very gently try to slide it by hand through the scanner glass — you should be able to see it move under the glass. If it resists movement, there is an obstruction inside the scanner mechanism.
Do not force it. Light pressure to test for movement is fine — heavy force can snap the carriage belt.
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If the scanner cannot be cleared, contact Epson support or a repair shop. For most all-in-one models, the printing function continues to work even if the scanner is disabled — ask the technician about a partial repair that restores print-only functionality.
This workaround depends on your model and firmware — not all Epson models allow printing when the scanner has a reported error.
When to Call a Professional
If the scanner carriage is visibly stuck and will not move after a power cycle, forcing it may damage the carriage belt. A repair technician can safely access the scanner mechanism, clear any obstruction, and replace the belt if it has broken. If only the scanner is failing and you only need printing, consider whether you need the scan function repaired or can live without it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still print when my Epson shows error 0xBC?
On some Epson models, yes — the print and scan functions are independent enough that a scanner error does not block printing. On others, the printer locks out all functions when any component reports a fault. Try sending a print job after the error appears — if it prints, the printer side is unaffected.
What does the scanner carriage home position mean?
When the printer is idle, the scanner carriage parks at a specific spot — usually the far left or front edge of the scan bed. This parking position is called the home position. Every time the printer starts up, it moves the carriage to confirm it can reach the home position. If it cannot, the printer reports an error rather than risk scanning incorrectly.
My Epson was working fine before I moved it. Could moving it have caused 0xBC?
Yes — moving a printer with the scanner carriage mid-travel or with a scan job interrupted can leave the carriage away from home. The next startup fails when it cannot confirm the carriage is in position. A power cycle usually fixes this specific case — the carriage will re-home on startup.