When I plug in my USB printer/scanner/All-In-One to my computer running Windows, the computer crashes or shows a blue screen and a STOP error. What can I do to resolve this?

RELATES TO:


  • Epson USB devices - Printers, Scanners, All-In-One products and PhotoViewers
  • Windows 98, 98SE, Me, 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7
  • Computer crashes, does not wake from hibernation, displays an error, displays a blue screen, errors in Device Manager


EXPLANATION:



If you are experiencing problems with your Windows-based computer in one of the following scenarios, we recommend checking for and installing the latest Windows Updates, checking how you connect your USB device to your computer, and as a last resort, checking your computer's BIOS settings.

The term 'Epson USB device' is used below to describe any of the following: Epson USB printer/scanner/All-In-One/PhotoViewer.

Issue: Windows-based computer crashes/does not boot/start into Windows/does not power up/displays an error/displays a blue screen and a stop error when:

  • you connect your Epson USB device to the computer's USB port
  • you power on your Epson USB device (when already connected to the computer's USB port)
  • you power on your computer (when your Epson USB device is already connected to the computer's USB port)
  • you unplug the USB cable or turn off your Epson USB device.

Other issues may include the Epson USB device no longer working at all/as expected after restarting the computer/waking it from sleep or hibernation.

Notes Icon Note:

Important: This article assumes that your printer is operational (e.g. displaying no errors) and addresses issues relating to the performance of your system in relation to your Epson USB device only.


We recommend the following troubleshooting actions:

  1. Check the cable connection between the USB device and the computer and connect it directly. The device (e.g. printer/scanner) is designed to be connected directly to the computer.

    Notes Icon Note:

    Connecting your product through another peripheral (e.g. a Scanner, Switch box, external USB hub) can cause problems. Even if these devices have been connected in the past with no problems, they must still be eliminated whilst troubleshooting. For products connected via a USB hub, the following Related Article may offer a solution: How do I resolve power-related connectivity issues when using a USB hub?

  2. Unplug the Epson USB device, wait about five seconds, and then plug the device back in. If you are using a hub, do the same with the hub.

    Notes Icon Note:

    For troubleshooting purposes, we recommend directly connecting your Epson USB device to your computer's USB ports. If there are too many devices plugged into the hub, unplug some devices.

    This Related Article may offer a solution: How do I resolve power-related connectivity issues when using a USB hub?

  3. If using a PhotoViewer or memory cards/USB flash drive slots on your printer or All-In-One, make sure that you use the Safely Remove Hardware feature of Windows when you have finished using your product. Failure to do so may cause the product or Windows to malfunction.


  4. Ensure that Windows is fully updated. This is very important as Microsoft have identified issues with Windows which can affect the enumeration of drivers, particularly with USB devices. To install the latest updates and drivers, please visit the Microsoft Windows Update Web site: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

    Please see below for links to Microsoft documentation regarding USB-related issues in Windows. These issues affect a wide range of USB devices from many manufacturers and not just Epson product, as the issues are related to the Windows operating system itself.

    Windows 98SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000:


    Windows XP: Since its first release, there have been a number of updates directly relating to the USB core components in Windows XP. Service Pack 1, for example, added USB 2.0 support.


    Windows Vista: Since its first release, there have been a number of updates directly relating to the USB core components in Windows Vista. Documented problems include the example symptoms listed above as well as the system generating the following Stop error message and then automatically restarting (sometimes with a blue screen):

    Stop 0x000000FE (Parameter1, Parameter2, Parameter3, Parameter4).

    Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Service Pack 2 (SP2) contain some of these updates. We recommend viewing the following Microsoft Knowledgebase articles for update and support information:


    Windows 7: For more information on keeping Windows 7 up-to-date, visit the following Microsoft website: Windows 7 Help: Install Windows updates

  5. If you have followed all the advice above and you continue to experience problems, try uninstalling and reinstalling the driver for your product.

    Notes Icon Note:

    This isn't required if you are using a PhotoViewer, just ensure that when you have finished using it, you correct disconnect the product using the Safely Remove Hardware feature of Windows.

    Windows 98SE, Me:


    Windows 2000, XP:


    Windows Vista:


    Windows 7:


  6. Check the BIOS settings of your computer. (Call PC vendor for support.)

    Recommended BIOS setup

    • Power Management - Disabled.
    • Plug and Play Operating System - Enabled (Disabling Plug and Play OS can cause errors in Windows IRQ Steering). Some systems may perform better with this option Disabled. Try both if you are having IRQ problems.
    • IRQ's Assigned - Auto or Operating System.
    • USB Keyboard - DOS or BIOS.
    • Write Pipeline Cache (FIC Motherboards and others) - Disabled.
    • System Bios Cacheable - Disabled.
    • Chip Performance Speed – Normal.
  7. What to do if the issue is still present:

    • If the above troubleshooting fails to resolve the particular problem you are experiencing you could try a different cable completely or the same cable on another device.


    • Finally, if necessary, try the Epson USB device on another computer completely to establish where the problem lies. A computer with driver support for its operating system would be suitable, e.g. a Macintosh or a different version of Windows.


    • If the Epson USB device works on another system then it would indicate a problem with the computer. Contact your PC vendor for support.


    • If the Epson USB device does not work on another computer, then having gone through all of the above, we would recommend contacting Epson or (if applicable) taking your Epson USB device to the nearest Epson Express Centre for testing. See the following Related Article for information: Epson Express Centres, UK & Republic of Ireland.

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