Epson ET-M1170 lights: what each pattern means
14 light patterns of the Epson ET-M1170, from Epson’s own guide ET-M1170 User's Guide — Product Light Status. EcoTank Monochrome (one black ink tank, a replaceable maintenance box), no display.
Models covered, as Epson lists them: ET-M1170.
The lights on this printer
- Power light
- Wi-Fi light
- Wi-Fi Direct light
- Ink light
- Paper light
Our own schematic drawing, not Epson’s panel layout: the lights are in the order Epson’s guide lists them. Where Epson does not give a light’s colour, it is drawn filled in the text colour.
Power light on
Power light on. Colour not stated by Epson.
The product is turned on.
Epson’s page gives no step for this.
Source: ET-M1170 User's Guide — Product Light Status (Epson), checked 2026-09-29.
Wi-Fi light on
Wi-Fi light on. Colour not stated by Epson.
The product is connected to a wireless network.
Epson’s page gives no step for this.
Source: ET-M1170 User's Guide — Product Light Status (Epson), checked 2026-09-29.
Wi-Fi Direct light on
Wi-Fi Direct light on. Colour not stated by Epson.
The product is connected to a device using Wi-Fi Direct.
Epson’s page gives no step for this.
Source: ET-M1170 User's Guide — Product Light Status (Epson), checked 2026-09-29.
Power light flashing
Power light blinking. Colour not stated by Epson.
The product is busy.
What Epson says to do
- Wait for the power light to stop flashing before turning the product off.
Source: ET-M1170 User's Guide — Product Light Status (Epson), checked 2026-09-29.
Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct lights flashing
Wi-Fi light blinking; Wi-Fi Direct light blinking. Colour not stated by Epson.
A Wi-Fi connection error has occurred.
What Epson says to do
- Press the Wi-Fi button to clear the error, then try again.
Source: ET-M1170 User's Guide — Product Light Status (Epson), checked 2026-09-29.
Ink light on
Ink light on. Colour not stated by Epson.
Initial ink charging, or an ink refill, may not be complete.
What Epson says to do
- Follow the Start Here sheet for initial ink charging.
Source: ET-M1170 User's Guide — Product Light Status (Epson), checked 2026-09-29.
Ink light flashing
Ink light blinking. Colour not stated by Epson.
The product is low on ink, or the maintenance box is nearing the end of its service life.
What Epson says to do
- If a message on the computer offers to continue printing, press the stop button to continue.
Source: ET-M1170 User's Guide — Product Light Status (Epson), checked 2026-09-29.
Paper light on
Paper light on. Colour not stated by Epson.
No paper is loaded, or the loaded paper size does not match the print setting.
What Epson says to do
- Load the correct size of paper, then press the stop button to clear the error.
Source: ET-M1170 User's Guide — Product Light Status (Epson), checked 2026-09-29.
Paper light flashing
Paper light blinking. Colour not stated by Epson.
Paper is jammed in the product, or protective material is still inside.
What Epson says to do
- Remove the jammed paper or the protective material, then press the stop button to clear the error.
Source: ET-M1170 User's Guide — Product Light Status (Epson), checked 2026-09-29.
Ink and paper lights on
Ink light on; Paper light on. Colour not stated by Epson.
The product was not turned off correctly.
What Epson says to do
- Press the stop button to clear the error.
- Run a nozzle check and cancel any pending print jobs.
- Always turn the product off with the power button.
Source: ET-M1170 User's Guide — Product Light Status (Epson), checked 2026-09-29.
Ink and paper lights flashing together
Ink light blinking; Paper light blinking. Colour not stated by Epson.
The printer cover is open, or the output selector is in the wrong position.
What Epson says to do
- Close the printer cover, or move the output selector to the right position.
Source: ET-M1170 User's Guide — Product Light Status (Epson), checked 2026-09-29.
Ink and paper lights flashing alternately
Ink light flashing alternately; Paper light flashing alternately. Colour not stated by Epson.
The maintenance box is at the end of its service life, is not recognised, or is installed incorrectly.
What Epson says to do
- Replace the maintenance box, or make sure it is installed correctly.
- Unlike the ink pads of the ET-2400 and ET-2800, which Epson says are not user-replaceable, the maintenance box is a part Epson tells you to replace.
Source: ET-M1170 User's Guide — Product Light Status (Epson), checked 2026-09-29.
All lights flashing
Power light blinking; Wi-Fi light blinking; Wi-Fi Direct light blinking; Ink light blinking; Paper light blinking. Colour not stated by Epson.
Paper or protective material is stuck inside the product.
What Epson says to do
- Open the front cover and remove any jammed paper or protective material.
- Turn the product off and then back on again.
- If the error continues, contact Epson for support.
Source: ET-M1170 User's Guide — Product Light Status (Epson), checked 2026-09-29.
All lights flashing except the power light
Wi-Fi light blinking; Wi-Fi Direct light blinking; Ink light blinking; Paper light blinking. Colour not stated by Epson.
An error occurred while the firmware was updating.
What Epson says to do
- Connect the product with a USB cable and update the firmware again.
- If the error continues, contact Epson for support.
Source: ET-M1170 User's Guide — Product Light Status (Epson), checked 2026-09-29.
Other Epson printers
The same light can mean something else on another Epson family, so check the model name on your printer.
Sources
Epson’s own pages only, read on the date shown. Nothing here comes from third-party “printer codes” sites.
- Epson: ET-M1170 User's Guide — Product Light Status — Epson ET-M1170. files.support.epson.com Checked 2026-09-29.
Find a pattern by which light and how it blinks, on any brand →