Epson Printer Error Code 0xe7 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Epson error 0xE7 points to a problem with the printer's scanning unit. The scanner failed to initialize, encountered an obstruction, or lost communication during a scan. This code appears on all-in-one (multifunction) Epson printers that include a built-in scanner.

Affected Models

Epson WorkForce WF-2850
Epson WorkForce WF-3820
Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830
Epson Expression XP-7100
Epson Perfection V39

Common Causes

The scanner carriage (the moving light bar inside the scanner) is stuck or obstructed and cannot complete its home position check
The scanner glass has a large crack, heavy scratch, or thick debris that the light sensor cannot see past
The scanner lid was not closed properly when a scan was started, causing a light-level error
A USB or wireless connection problem interrupted the data transfer from the scanner to the computer
The Epson scanner driver on the connected computer is outdated, corrupted, or in conflict with another program

How to Fix It

Turn the printer off. Open the scanner lid and look at the scanner glass — the white moving bar (carriage) should be parked at one end. Check for any object — a coin, paper clip, or piece of paper — that may be blocking the carriage.

Never place heavy objects on the scanner glass. Extra weight can crack the glass or jam the carriage.
Close the scanner lid firmly and power the printer back on. The scanner will run a self-test and move the carriage to its home position. Watch to see if it moves freely.

If the carriage makes a grinding noise or does not move at all during startup, there is a mechanical obstruction or the carriage belt has broken.
Clean the scanner glass with a soft lint-free cloth. Remove all fingerprints and smudges, especially near the edges where the sensor reads.

Epson scanner glass is coated — avoid abrasive cloths or cleaning sprays. A cloth lightly dampened with plain water is best.
On your computer, update or reinstall the Epson scanner driver. Go to Epson's support website, search for your printer model, and download the latest Scanner/Printer Driver package.

On Windows 10 and 11, search for 'Epson Scan 2' — this is Epson's current scanning software and it includes the necessary driver.
Try scanning a test page using Epson Scan 2 software. If scanning works from the computer but not from the printer panel, the issue is the panel software — try restarting the printer and scanning from the computer again.

Scanning from the printer panel and scanning from the computer use slightly different code paths. If one works but not the other, that narrows down the source of the problem.

When to Call a Professional

If the scanner carriage is visibly stuck and will not move after power cycling, do not force it. A jammed carriage mechanism can be repaired by an Epson-certified technician. For high-value Epson flatbed scanners like the Perfection series, professional repair is usually worth the cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

My Epson prints fine but shows error 0xE7 when I try to scan — is the scanner broken?

Not necessarily. Printing and scanning use separate hardware and software. Error 0xE7 on a scan attempt while printing works normally suggests the scanner driver or the scanner hardware connection is at fault — not the core printer. Start with a driver reinstall before assuming the scanner hardware has failed.

Can error 0xE7 appear on a scanner-only Epson model?

Yes. Epson Perfection flatbed scanners (not printers) can also show 0xE7. On these dedicated scanners, the most common cause is a stuck carriage, a corrupted driver, or a USB connection problem. The fix steps above apply equally to standalone Epson scanners.

How do I know if the scanner carriage is locked for shipping?

Some Epson flatbed scanners have a physical lock switch to secure the carriage during shipping. If you recently purchased or moved the printer, check the underside or left edge of the scanner unit for a small slider switch labeled 'Lock/Unlock'. Slide it to the Unlock position before attempting to scan.