Epson EcoTank ET-2980: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the Epson EcoTank ET-2980 right for you?

The ET-2980 is a 2024 retailer-channel EcoTank in the ET-28xx family, pairing the familiar 522-ink engine with auto duplex and a front cassette. It targets the same households as the ET-2850 and behaves the same way in daily use, with modest speed and good running costs. As a newer unit, owners should make sure the first firmware update is applied through Smart Panel, which also surfaces ink-level calibration after refills.

Best for: Shoppers who found this variant on sale and want a duplexing EcoTank

Setting up the Epson EcoTank ET-2980

Fill the tanks and let the initial charge finish before connecting. Use Smart Panel on a 2.4 GHz network, and if the model is missing from the support site use the ET-2850 software package, which is compatible. Turn on two-sided printing in the driver preferences if you want duplex by default.

1. Unbox and prepare. Remove every piece of shipping tape and packing material, install the ink bottles (fill each tank to the upper line), and load paper in the tray.
2. Join your Wi-Fi. Keep the printer close to the router for setup. Most printers only connect to the 2.4GHz band, so if your router broadcasts one merged network name you may need to split the bands temporarily. See our Wi-Fi guide if it will not join.
3. Install the setup app. Use Epson's official app rather than a driver you found on a search result — third-party driver sites are the most common source of printer malware.
4. Add the printer. On Windows 11: Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners › Add device. On macOS: System Settings › Printers & Scanners › Add Printer.
5. Print a test page and run a scan if this is an all-in-one, so you find any problem now rather than when you are in a hurry.

Ink, toner and supplies

The Epson EcoTank ET-2980 uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• Epson 522 Black
• Epson 522 Cyan/Magenta/Yellow ink bottles

High-yield (XL) versions almost always cost less per page if you print regularly. On third-party ink and toner, read our honest assessment first, and note that some manufacturers push firmware that rejects non-original chips.

Full specifications