Epson Service Required: Service Required (ink pads worn out)
Also shows as: A part inside your printer is at the end of its service life. Service is required.
Epson says the 'Service Required' alert refers to the ink pads, porous pads that collect ink not used on printed pages. The printer must be serviced to keep printing.
What to try
- Contact Epson support about Epson's ink pad replacement service.
- Or have a local certified technician replace the ink pad.
- If the printer is under warranty or a service contract, ask whether the repair is covered.
When it needs a technician
The ink pads must be replaced by Epson or a certified technician to keep using the printer.
Which models show Service Required
Varies by model: Same ink pad condition as the E-11 / E-10 code on printers that show codes.
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 US - Epson Printer Parts "Service Required" Message. Codes are model-specific, so your own model's manual is the final word. Reviewed October 2026.
Still showing Service Required?
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