Diagnosis
Ink smearing on the back of your prints is almost always caused by dirty paper path rollers. As paper passes through the printer, these rubber rollers guide it. Over time, they can accumulate dust, paper fibers, and dried ink droplets. When this grime builds up, it transfers onto the back of the next sheet that passes over them. This is a common maintenance issue and not typically a sign of a failing printer.
How to Fix It
Your Epson WF-2860 has a dedicated cleaning cycle for this exact problem. Follow these steps:
- Load about 10 sheets of plain, white Letter (8.5" x 11") or A4 paper into the main paper tray.
- Press the Home button on the printer's control panel.
- Navigate using the arrow buttons and select Maintenance from the on-screen menu.
- Scroll down and select Paper Guide Cleaning.
- The printer will now feed several sheets through automatically. Follow any additional on-screen prompts.
- After the cycle finishes, print a test page. Check the back. If ink marks remain, run the Paper Guide Cleaning cycle 1-2 more times until the paper comes out clean.
If That Didn't Work
If multiple cleaning cycles don't resolve the smearing, the ink smear may be further inside the printer's paper path, potentially on the print head carriage path. First, power off the printer, unplug it, and open the scanner unit. Visually inspect the flat, gray plastic path where the paper travels. If you see wet or dried ink splatters, gently wipe the area with a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water. Do not use alcohol or household cleaners. Ensure the printer is completely dry before plugging it back in and testing.
Heads Up
Always use the printer's built-in maintenance utilities first. Manually wiping internal components is a last resort and carries a risk of damage or voiding your warranty if done improperly. Avoid using glossy, textured, or previously printed paper for the cleaning cycles, as they can worsen the contamination.