et-4850 is making a loud grinding noise when it tries to print, like it's chewing on the paper.

Diagnosis

The loud grinding noise in the Epson EcoTank ET-4850 is typically caused by a mechanical obstruction in the paper feed assembly or a failure in the carriage drive system. When the printer "chews" on the paper, it means the pickup rollers are successfully grabbing the sheet, but the paper is meeting resistance further down the path. This creates a jam that forces the motor to continue spinning against a locked gear, resulting in that characteristic high-pitched grinding sound. This is most commonly caused by "ghost jams"—tiny fragments of torn paper from a previous jam that weren't fully removed—or foreign objects like staples, paper clips, or fallen coins that have slipped into the rear feed slot. In some cases, the noise is caused by the print head carriage hitting a piece of debris on the platen, preventing it from sliding freely across the rail. You can confirm this by observing the printer during the startup sequence; if the noise occurs before the paper even moves, the issue is the carriage; if it happens only after the rollers engage, the issue is in the paper path.

How to Fix It

1. Power down the printer completely and unplug the AC power cord from the wall outlet to prevent any electrical shock or accidental carriage movement.
2. Clear the rear paper tray. Remove all remaining sheets of paper from the rear feed.
3. Open the scanner unit by lifting the entire top assembly. This exposes the internal carriage and the platen.
4. Use a high-intensity LED flashlight to inspect the far right and far left ends of the carriage rail. Look for any small scraps of paper or plastic fragments that may be blocking the print head's travel.
5. Check the paper feed path by looking directly down into the rear paper slot. Use a pair of long-reach tweezers or a needle-nose plier to gently pull out any visible debris. Do not push objects further into the machine.
6. Open the rear duplexer/paper output cover. Inspect the rollers for any stuck labels or adhesive residue that might be causing the paper to slip and bunch up.
7. If you find a piece of torn paper, pull it out slowly in the direction of the paper flow (from the back toward the front) to avoid tearing it further.
8. Close all covers, plug the printer back in, and perform a "Power Cycle" by holding the power button for 5 seconds while the unit is unplugged, then plugging it back in and turning it on.

If That Didn't Work

• Clean the Pickup Rollers: If the grinding persists but there is no visible debris, the rubber pickup rollers may be glazed or dirty, causing them to slip and "scrunch" the paper. Dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water and carefully wipe the gray rubber rollers in the rear feed area to restore grip.
• Reset the Carriage: If the noise is a rhythmic grinding, the carriage belt may have skipped a tooth. With the printer off, gently move the print head carriage from one side to the other by hand. If you feel a "click" or a hard stop, there is a hidden obstruction in the carriage track that must be removed.
• Clear the Duplexer Path: Remove the rear output tray entirely. Use a thick piece of cardstock (like a postcard) and manually slide it through the paper path from the back to the front. This often pushes out small debris that a flashlight cannot reveal.
• Check for Encoder Strip Contamination: Inspect the clear plastic strip (the encoder strip) that runs behind the print head. If there is a smudge of ink or grease on it, the printer may lose track of the carriage position and "slam" into the side of the chassis, creating a grinding sound. Carefully wipe it with a dry, lint-free swab.

Heads Up

• Never use canned air (compressed air) inside the ET-4850; it can blow paper dust and ink residue into the optical sensors, causing permanent "Paper Jam" error messages even when the path is clear.
• Avoid using heavy-duty staples or thick cardstock exceeding 256 g/m² in the rear feed, as these are the primary causes of gear stripping in the feed assembly.
• Always pull jammed paper in the direction of the paper path; pulling paper backward against the rollers can damage the plastic gear teeth and lead to permanent mechanical failure.
• Ensure the paper guides in the rear tray are snug against the paper but not tight; over-tightening the guides causes the paper to enter at an angle, leading to the "chewing" effect.