Diagnosis
That grinding is the sound of the paper feed motor straining because it can't grab the paper properly. The most likely culprit is the paper feed roller—that little gray rubber wheel inside the paper tray area—has gotten smooth and slick from dust or wear.
How to Fix It
Power off and unplug the printer. Pull out the paper tray. Look inside the slot where the paper sits. You'll see a gray rubber roller. Dampen a lint-free cloth with a little distilled water (not alcohol or cleaner) and wipe the roller thoroughly as you manually spin it with your finger. Let it dry completely, plug it back in, and try again.
If That Didn't Work
If the roller looks visibly worn or flat, it might need replacing. Epson sells a maintenance box (part number varies by region) that includes a new feed roller and wiper for the printhead. Installing it involves running a utility from the Epson Software on your computer.
Heads Up
That grinding is bad for the gears. If cleaning doesn't fix it quickly, stop trying to print. Forcing it can strip the plastic drive train, which is a much bigger repair.