Epson Printer Error Code I-61 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Error I-61 on an Epson printer is an information message about the ink pad approaching its saturation limit. The waste ink pad inside the printer is getting full and will need to be addressed soon. You can continue printing for now, but this needs attention before it becomes a hard stop.

Affected Models

Epson WorkForce WF-2860
Epson Expression XP-5150
Epson WorkForce WF-3820
Epson EcoTank ET-2800
Epson WorkForce WF-2930

Common Causes

Years of normal printing have gradually filled the waste ink absorption pad
Running frequent manual or automatic head cleaning operations fills the pad faster than regular printing
Printing many borderless photographs creates more waste ink than standard document printing
The printer's internal waste ink counter has reached approximately 80% of its maximum
High print volume over the printer's lifetime has accelerated pad saturation

How to Fix It

Press OK or Resume to acknowledge the I-61 message and continue printing for now.

I-61 does not stop printing — it is a heads-up. You likely have weeks to months of printing left before the hard stop.
Reduce the number of manual head cleaning cycles you run, as each cleaning cycle flushes ink into the waste pad.

Only run head cleaning when you have actual print quality problems like faded lines or missing colors — not as a routine.
Search online for the Epson Adjustment Program for your specific printer model to check the exact waste ink pad percentage.

This free tool shows the exact fill level. At 100%, the printer stops. At I-61 you are usually around 80%.
Order a replacement waste ink pad kit for your printer model. They are available online for $5 to $20.

Replacing the pad now while the printer is still working is easier than waiting for the hard error stop.
After replacing the pad, use the Epson Adjustment Program to reset the waste ink pad counter.

Both steps are required: physical pad replacement AND counter reset. Doing only one will not fully resolve the issue.

When to Call a Professional

I-61 is an early warning — you have time to plan. Epson service centers can replace the waste ink pad and reset the counter, typically for $40 to $80. For EcoTank models, this service is especially cost-effective given the printer's higher value.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much longer can I print after seeing I-61?

It varies by how heavily you use the printer. If you print lightly (a few pages per day), you may have months before hitting the hard stop. If you print heavily or run frequent cleanings, it could be weeks. Check the pad percentage with the Adjustment Program for a more accurate estimate.

Is replacing the waste ink pad difficult?

For most home users, it is a moderate DIY task. You need to open the printer's base panel, locate the sponge pad, swap it for a new one, and reassemble. Many YouTube tutorials are available for specific Epson models. If you are not comfortable with this, an Epson service center can do it for you.

What happens if I ignore I-61 until the printer stops?

Once the waste ink counter hits 100%, the printer will display a harder error (like I-70 or W-50) and refuse to print. At that point, you must replace the pad and reset the counter before the printer will work again. Dealing with it at I-61 is much more convenient than waiting for the full stop.