You set up your Epson EcoTank ET-4850 to print wirelessly, but the page never leaves your phone or laptop, the printer shows no network connection, or your computer suddenly lists it as offline. The good news is that this Supertank model genuinely supports Wi-Fi, so a stubborn wireless connection is almost always a setup, network, or driver issue rather than a hardware fault. The single most common reason an ET-4850 refuses to join your network is a band mismatch, so that is where these fixes begin, working from the quickest checks toward the official reset and support path.
Why the Band Your Network Uses Matters Most
The ET-4850's Wi-Fi runs on IEEE 802.11 b/g/n on the 2.4 GHz band only. It does not support 5 GHz, so if you try to join a 5 GHz network the printer will not find or connect to it, even though the same router works perfectly for your phone or laptop.
Make sure you are connecting to the 2.4 GHz band on your network and using the password for that band specifically. If you have a 5 GHz router, Epson advises setting the router to dual band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) mode.
If your router broadcasts a single network name (SSID) for both bands, give each band its own SSID instead, such as Home Network 2.4 GHz and Home Network 5 GHz. That way you can clearly select the 2.4 GHz network when you set up the printer. Keep in mind the network name and password are both case sensitive.
Power Cycle the Printer, Router, and Computer
A clean restart clears temporary glitches that block a wireless handshake, and it costs you nothing. Turn your product off and on again, then try printing.
If a wireless connection is established but printing still fails, unplug your router's power cord from the outlet, wait a brief period, plug it back in, and try again. Restarting the router refreshes the connection between it and the printer.
If that still does not help, restart your computer and try printing once more. Working through all three devices in this order resolves a surprising number of connection drops.
Reposition the Printer Away From Interference
The 2.4 GHz band is reliable but easily disrupted by distance and nearby electronics. Place the product within range of your 2.4 GHz router or access point so the signal stays strong.
Avoid placing the printer near a microwave oven, a 2.4 GHz cordless phone, or a large metal object. All three can interfere with the wireless signal and cause intermittent or failed connections.
Re-Run Wireless Setup From the Control Panel
If the printer is on the wrong network or never finished setup, the most direct fix is to walk through the wizard again on the printer itself. Follow this sequence exactly:
- 1.Press the home button.
- 2.Select the network status icon.
- 3.Choose Wi-Fi (Recommended).
- 4.Select Start Setup (or Change Settings if you have set up before).
- 5.Select Wi-Fi Setup Wizard.
- 6.Select your network name, or choose Enter Manually if it does not appear.
- 7.Enter Password (remember it is case sensitive) and select OK.
- 8.Select Start Setup to save the settings, then select Close.
If the connection fails, double-check that you entered the correct 2.4 GHz network name and password, then run the wizard again.
Set Up Wi-Fi Through the Epson Smart Panel App
If typing on the control panel is fiddly, the official app can handle the wireless setup for you with guided steps and automatic device detection. Install the Epson Smart Panel app on your phone or tablet, then use it to set up, monitor, and reconnect the printer to your wireless network.
The app's official requirements are iOS 11.0 or later, iPadOS 13.1 or later, and Android 5.0 or later. Make sure your phone is on the same 2.4 GHz network you want the printer to join before you start, so the app can detect and configure the device.
Use the WPS Push-Button Method
If your router has a WPS button, you can pair the printer without typing your password at all. On the printer, select Push Button Setup (WPS) and follow the LCD instructions.
Timing matters here. You must select Start Setup on the printer within two minutes of pressing the WPS button on your router. If the window lapses, simply press the router's WPS button again and repeat the steps on the printer.
Clear the Offline Status and Print Queue on Windows
Sometimes the printer is connected but Windows has flagged it as offline, which silently blocks every job. Before changing settings, power-cycle the printer so it re-announces itself on the network.
Then open the Epson print queue, select Printer, and uncheck Use Printer Offline. Delete any pending print jobs that may be stuck in the queue, then try printing again. Clearing both the offline flag and the backed-up queue usually restores normal printing immediately.
Remove and Re-Add the Printer on macOS
On a Mac, a corrupted printer profile can keep the ET-4850 from connecting even when the network is fine. Removing and re-adding it gives you a clean profile through the correct discovery protocol.
- 1.Open the Apple menu.
- 2.Go to System Preferences or System Settings.
- 3.Open Print & Scan, Print & Fax, or Printers & Scanners (the name varies by macOS version).
- 4.Select your printer and remove it with the minus (-) button.
- 5.Add it again with the plus (+) button, selecting your printer with Kind set to Bonjour.
Also clear any pending jobs from the print queue and power-cycle the printer so it re-announces itself on the network.
Inspect Your Router's Security and Access Settings
If everything on the printer looks right, your router may be quietly blocking it. Start by confirming the router itself is working. Connect another device to the same network and verify it has internet access.
Temporarily disable the firewall and any anti-virus software on your wireless router or access point, since these can stop the printer from communicating. If MAC address filtering is enabled, add the printer's MAC address to the router's approved list so it is allowed to join.
If your router does not broadcast its SSID (a hidden network), enter the network name manually during setup rather than picking it from a list. Finally, confirm you have selected the correct security type and entered the exact WPA passphrase or WEP key, watching for case sensitivity.
Reinstall the Epson Software, Then Restore Network Settings
When the printer connects but your computer still will not talk to it, a fresh software install clears out corrupted drivers. Work through these steps in order for the cleanest result:
- 1.Disconnect any cables and turn the printer off.
- 2.Temporarily disable your computer's firewall.
- 3.Uninstall the existing Epson software.
- 4.Restart your router.
- 5.Download and install the Drivers and Utilities Combo Package from the ET-4850 support page at epson.com.
- 6.Re-enable the firewall once setup completes.
Reinstalling from the official combo package ensures the printer driver and network utilities match your current operating system. If a clean reinstall still does not connect, reset the printer's network settings to factory defaults to get a completely clean slate, then set up Wi-Fi again. On the printer:
- 1.Press the home button if necessary.
- 2.Select Settings, then Restore Default Settings.
- 3.Choose Network Settings, which resets all network settings.
- 4.Select Yes on the confirmation screen.
This screen also offers Copy Settings, Scan Settings, Fax Settings, and a Clear All Data and Settings option. That last option resets all control panel settings and deletes stored information, so reserve it for when you truly want to wipe everything. After the network reset finishes, run the Wi-Fi Setup Wizard again from the start. If the printer still will not connect, contact Epson Support through the ET-4850 support page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my ET-4850 not see my home Wi-Fi network?
The most common cause is that your network is broadcasting on 5 GHz, which this printer cannot use. The ET-4850 supports only the 2.4 GHz band, so make sure you are selecting and entering the password for your 2.4 GHz network. If your router uses one name for both bands, give each band its own SSID so you can pick the 2.4 GHz one.
Can I set up Wi-Fi without using the printer's control panel?
Yes. You can install the Epson Smart Panel app on a phone or tablet (iOS 11.0 or later, iPadOS 13.1 or later, or Android 5.0 or later) and use its guided setup to connect the printer to your wireless network. If your router has a WPS button, you can also use Push Button Setup (WPS) from the printer instead.
My printer shows as offline on my computer even though it is on Wi-Fi. What do I do?
On Windows, open the Epson print queue, select Printer, uncheck Use Printer Offline, and delete any stuck jobs. On a Mac, remove the printer in Printers & Scanners with the minus (-) button and re-add it with the plus (+) button using Kind set to Bonjour. Clearing the queue and power-cycling the printer helps in both cases.
Will resetting the network settings delete my other printer settings?
Choosing Network Settings under Settings, then Restore Default Settings resets only your network settings, so your other configurations stay intact. The separate Clear All Data and Settings option is the one that resets all control panel settings and deletes stored information, so use Network Settings if you only want to redo your Wi-Fi.
Does moving the printer really affect the Wi-Fi connection?
It can. Keep the printer within range of your 2.4 GHz router or access point, and avoid placing it near a microwave oven, a 2.4 GHz cordless phone, or a large metal object. All of these can interfere with the 2.4 GHz signal and cause dropped or failed connections.
