Epson Printer Error Code E-93 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Error E-93 on your Epson printer means the printer cannot recognize one or more of the installed ink cartridges. The printer checks each cartridge's chip when it powers on and during printing. If a chip is unreadable, missing, or from an incompatible source, the printer stops and shows E-93.

Affected Models

Epson XP series
Epson Expression series
Epson EcoTank series
Most Epson cartridge-based inkjet printers

Common Causes

The ink cartridge chip contacts are dirty or have an oxidation layer preventing a good connection
A third-party or refilled cartridge has a chip that the printer does not recognize
The cartridge was not inserted correctly and the contacts are not fully engaged
The cartridge itself has failed — the chip is faulty
The ink slot contacts inside the printer are dirty or damaged

How to Fix It

Open the printer and remove all ink cartridges.

Note which color goes in which slot if your printer has multiple cartridge positions.
Gently clean the gold-colored chip on the bottom of each cartridge with a dry, lint-free cloth.

Do not use water or cleaning fluid on cartridge chips — a dry wipe is sufficient to remove oxidation.
Also clean the corresponding contact pins inside the printer cartridge slot with a dry cotton swab.

Be gentle — these pins are delicate. Just a light wipe to remove any ink residue or dust.
Reinsert each cartridge firmly until it clicks into place. Make sure no cartridge feels loose.

A cartridge that appears to be in but is not fully clicked can trigger E-93.
Power cycle the printer (off, unplug for 30 seconds, plug in, power on). If E-93 persists with all original Epson cartridges, one cartridge may have a failed chip.

Try replacing cartridges one at a time to identify the faulty one.

When to Call a Professional

If cleaning contacts and trying known-good cartridges does not fix E-93, the cartridge slot contact may be damaged. A technician can inspect and clean the contacts professionally. If the slot itself is broken, the carriage assembly may need replacement — a repair that can cost $80–$200.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Epson printer not recognize third-party cartridges?

Epson printers communicate with cartridges via a small chip on each cartridge. Third-party and refilled cartridges use their own chips that may not perfectly match Epson's specifications. Epson also releases firmware updates that sometimes block newly produced third-party cartridge chips. This is intentional — Epson prefers you use their genuine cartridges.

Can I bypass the cartridge recognition check?

Some older Epson printers allow you to press OK or Continue past a cartridge warning. Newer models are stricter. Using a third-party chip resetter tool sometimes re-validates a cartridge chip, but results are inconsistent. For reliable operation, genuine Epson cartridges are recommended.

What should I do if a brand new genuine Epson cartridge shows E-93?

A brand new genuine cartridge showing E-93 suggests the cartridge itself is defective. Remove it, clean the chip and contacts, and reinstall. If it still triggers E-93, take the cartridge back to the retailer — it may be faulty. You can also contact Epson support for a replacement.