Diagnosis
The grinding or whirring noise without paper movement indicates the printer's paper feed rollers have lost traction. This is almost always caused by a buildup of paper dust, debris, or a glazed surface on the rubber rollers inside the paper cassette compartment.
How to Fix It
You must manually clean the feed rollers. For the Epson WF-2860, follow these steps:
- Turn off the printer using the power button and unplug it from the wall outlet. Disconnect any other cables.
- Pull the paper cassette completely out of the printer and remove all paper from it.
- With the front of the printer facing you, carefully lay the entire unit on its right side. Place it on a stable, flat surface protected by a towel.
- Locate the set of rubber rollers now visible at the bottom of the cassette slot. Dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water (or a very small amount of isopropyl alcohol) and wring it out thoroughly. Wipe each roller firmly while manually rotating it to clean the entire circumference.
- Let the rollers air-dry completely for a few minutes, then carefully return the printer to its upright position.
- Reinsert the paper cassette, load it with a small stack of clean, undamaged paper aligned correctly against the right guide, and reconnect the power.
If That Didn't Work
If the noise and misfeed persist, the issue may be with the internal separation pad or the main rear rollers. First, try using a different type or brand of paper. If that fails, you may need to run the printer's built-in roller cleaning utility from its control panel menu under "Maintenance." For a deep clean of internal mechanisms, professional service may be required.
Heads Up
When the printer is on its side, avoid pressing any buttons or leaving it tilted for more than 10-15 minutes, as ink can leak into the print head. Always ensure the printer is completely dry and upright before plugging it back in.