Epson Error Recovery-Mode: Firmware update failed (Recovery Mode)
Also shows as: Recovery Mode, Update Firmware
Recovery Mode means a firmware update failed and the printer needs the firmware update run again.
What to try
- Connect the printer to your computer with a USB cable.
- Download the firmware update from Epson support and run it again.
When it needs a technician
If the error remains after updating again over USB, Epson says to contact Epson for support.
Which models show Recovery-Mode
Epson documents this code for models including EcoTank ET-2850, EcoTank ET-2760, EcoTank ET-4810, Expression XP-340, Expression XP-7100, WorkForce WF-2930, WorkForce Pro WF-C878R, WorkForce Pro WF-M5899.
First steps for any printer error
- Write down the exact code before you do anything else — similar-looking codes often mean completely different things.
- Power the printer off, unplug it for a couple of minutes, then power it back on. A surprising number of transient errors clear here.
- Open the covers and check for paper scraps, packaging material, or anything blocking the carriage.
- Check the cartridges or tanks are genuine, correctly seated, and not empty.
- Confirm the printer is plugged directly into a wall outlet, not a power strip or extension lead.
- Check your model’s own manual — codes are model-specific, and the manual is the authority for your machine.
Source: Epson Support FAQ - EcoTank ET-2850, What does the message on my product's LCD screen mean?. Codes are model-specific, so your own model's manual is the final word. Reviewed October 2026.
Still showing Recovery-Mode?
Tell our printer technician your model and what you've tried. You'll find out whether it's fixable at home or worth repairing at all.
Ask about my printer — $1Eric Paul Amora · Printer & Hardware Repair Technician