You need to factory reset your Epson EcoTank ET-4850. Maybe the printer won't connect to Wi-Fi after a router swap, print quality has gone haywire despite fresh ink, or you're handing it off to someone else and need to wipe your settings. The ET-4850 is a 2021 mid‑tier all‑in‑one with a touchscreen, an automatic document feeder, and Ethernet so the reset path is different from the button‑mashing on older Epson models.
There's really one full reset you need on this printer, accessible through the touchscreen menu. But there are also targeted resets for network issues and print‑head problems. The right approach depends on what's actually broken.
Here's how to handle each situation.
Full Factory Reset Wipe Everything
This is the nuclear option. It clears all settings Wi‑Fi credentials, fax setup, paper preferences, sleep timer, everything and returns the printer to its out‑of‑box state. You'll need to run the initial setup wizard again afterward.
On the ET‑4850's touchscreen, tap the Setup icon (the gear). Then scroll to Restore Default Settings and tap it. Select All Settings. The printer will ask for confirmation. Tap Yes and wait about a minute while it resets. The screen goes dark for a moment, then the printer reboots.
After the reboot, you'll see the language and region selection screen, just like the first time you powered it on. Set everything up fresh Wi‑Fi, paper size, date/time. Your ink levels will stay as they are; the reset doesn't touch the ink tank data.
Network‑Only Reset (No Full Wipe)
If the printer is showing offline, won't pair to Wi‑Fi after a router change, or keeps dropping connection, you probably don't need a full factory reset. The ET‑4850 has a separate network settings reset that clears just the wireless and wired connection data.
Tap Setup > Network Settings > Reset Network Settings. Confirm with Yes. The printer reboots and forgets any saved SSIDs, passwords, and Ethernet‑related configurations. It doesn't touch your fax settings, paper defaults, or ink information just the networking.
This reset takes about 30 seconds. When the printer comes back, you'll reconfigure Wi‑Fi through the touchscreen or the Epson Smart Panel app.
When to Clean the Print Head Instead of Resetting
Blurry prints, missing colors, or horizontal streaks are usually a print‑head clog, not a settings problem. The ET‑4850 uses an ink tank system that's prone to clogs if the printer sits idle for weeks. Resetting won't fix that you need a head cleaning cycle.
On the touchscreen, go to Setup > Maintenance > Head Cleaning. Run it once. That consumes a small amount of ink (maybe 5‑10 ml) and takes about 2 minutes. Print a nozzle check pattern afterward to see if the nozzles cleared. If they didn't, run a second cleaning, then let the printer rest for 12 hours before trying a third pass. For heavy clogs, Epson recommends using the Power Cleaning option under Maintenance, but use that sparingly it uses a lot of ink.
If the Touchscreen Is Frozen or Unresponsive
A dead or stuck touchscreen can happen after a firmware hiccup. Unplug the power cable from the back of the printer (don't just turn off the power switch). Wait 60 seconds, then plug it back in. If that doesn't wake the screen, hold down the Stop button on the control panel while plugging the power back in. Keep holding Stop until the screen flashes and the printer reboots.
That forces a hardware reset. It won't clear any settings, but it can recover a frozen interface. If the screen stays blank after that, you may have a hardware issue but in most cases this recovers the printer.
Dealing with the ADF Paper Jam Issue
The ET‑4850's auto‑document feeder is known for jamming on thin originals. Users commonly report that standard 20‑lb bond paper runs fine, but receipts or lightweight documents crumple in the feed path. That's not a reset‑fixable problem it's a physical limitation.
If the ADF jams repeatedly, open the ADF cover and gently remove any torn pieces. Then switch to the flatbed scanner for single pages or thin media. You can go into Settings > Scanner Settings and set the document type to Slow Mode that reduces the feed speed and sometimes prevents jams on thin paper.
FAX Setup Landline Required
The ET‑4850 has a built‑in fax, but it works only with a traditional analog phone line. VOIP services (like Ooma, Vonage, or cable‑based digital phone) often fail because the printer's fax modem can't negotiate the digital‑to‑analog conversion reliably. If you're trying to set up fax and it won't dial out or receive, first confirm you're plugged into a real landline wall jack not a VOIP‑enabled port.
If you reset the fax settings (via the full factory reset), you'll need to re‑enter your fax number, name, and receive mode from scratch. The fax menu is under Setup > Fax Settings.
Re‑Pairing to Wi‑Fi After a Reset
After a network reset or full factory reset, the ET‑4850 will be in setup mode. The Epson Smart Panel app is the easiest way to reconnect. Make sure your phone is on the same 2.4 GHz band this printer doesn't support 5 GHz. Open the app, tap Add Printer, and follow the on‑screen steps. The app will broadcast a temporary network from the printer and guide you through Wi‑Fi setup.
If the app can't find the printer, try the manual touchscreen path: Setup > Network Settings > Wi‑Fi Setup. The printer scans for available networks. Select yours, enter the password using the on‑screen keyboard, and confirm.
One snag: the ET‑4850 sometimes struggles with WPA3‑only networks or PMF (Protected Management Frames) required on newer mesh routers. If pairing fails, switch your router's security to WPA2/WPA3 Transitional mode that usually solves it. For a mesh‑specific issue, the printer works far better over Ethernet anyway.
Use Ethernet for Stability
If you have an Ethernet cable handy, plug the ET‑4850 directly into your router. The printer has a 10/100 Ethernet port on the back. Once connected, it picks up an IP address automatically. You don't need to configure anything Ethernet is auto‑negotiated. This bypasses all the Wi‑Fi headaches, especially on congested or mesh networks. In my experience, the ET‑4850 is rock‑solid on Ethernet and much less likely to vanish from your computer's printer list.
After an Ethernet‑based reset, your computer may still try to reach the old IP. Remove the printer from Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners (Windows) or System Settings > Printers & Scanners (Mac) and add it back fresh. The printer will appear with its new IP.
What About the Ink Tank?
The ET‑4850 ships with 502 series ink bottles, and Epson markets the included ink as lasting up to three years. That's based on a specific monthly page count, but it's generous. Resetting the printer won't change the ink levels they're tracked mechanically by the printer's chip. If you see a low‑ink warning but the tank is still half full, you might have a clogged sensor. Run a head cleaning or gently swab the ink window on the side of the printer to clean the optical sensor.
