1. Introduction and Overview
This manual provides essential information for setting up, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting your Epson EcoTank L8160 Inkjet Printer. The EcoTank L8160 is a versatile all-in-one printer designed for high-quality photo and document printing, scanning, and copying, featuring a cartridge-free ink tank system for economical printing.
Key Features:
- Cartridge-free EcoTank system with high-capacity ink tanks.
- High-resolution printing up to 5760 x 1440 DPI.
- A4 format support.
- Integrated Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity.
- Automatic duplex printing.
- Intuitive 10.9 cm color touchscreen.
- Dedicated photo black and grey inks for superior photo quality.
2. Setup
Follow these steps to set up your Epson EcoTank L8160 printer for the first time.
2.1 Unpacking
- Remove the printer from its box and remove all protective materials, tapes, and packing inserts.
- Place the printer on a stable, flat surface.
2.2 Filling the Ink Tanks
The EcoTank L8160 uses a unique ink tank system. Ensure you fill the correct color ink into the corresponding tank.
- Open the ink tank unit cover on the right side of the printer.
- Uncap the ink bottle for the desired color.
- Insert the ink bottle into the corresponding tank's filling port. The ink will automatically flow into the tank.
- Once the tank is full, remove the bottle and recap it. Close the ink tank unit cover.
- Repeat for all ink colors (Black, Photo Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Grey).

Image: A front view of the Epson EcoTank L8160 printer in its closed, compact state. The ink tanks are visible on the right, and the power button is on the left.
2.3 Power Connection and Initial Setup
- Connect the power cord to the printer and then to a power outlet.
- Press the power button to turn on the printer.
- Follow the on-screen instructions on the printer's touchscreen to complete the initial setup, including language selection and ink initialization. This process may take several minutes.
3. Operating the Printer
Learn how to perform common tasks with your EcoTank L8160.
3.1 Loading Paper
The printer supports various paper types and sizes through its front paper cassette and rear paper feeder.
- Front Paper Cassette: Pull out the front paper tray, adjust the paper guides, and load paper print-side down.
- Rear Paper Feeder: Open the rear paper support, pull out the extension, and load paper print-side up. This feeder is ideal for thicker media or photo paper.

Image: The Epson EcoTank L8160 printer is shown with its front paper tray fully extended and loaded with white paper, ready for printing.
3.2 Connecting to a Network (Wi-Fi/Ethernet)
To print wirelessly or over a wired network:
- On the printer's touchscreen, navigate to Settings > Network Settings.
- Select Wi-Fi Setup or Ethernet Setup.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to connect to your wireless network or plug in an Ethernet cable.

Image: The Epson EcoTank L8160 printer is shown with a smartphone in the foreground. The phone's screen displays the Epson Smart Panel app, indicating wireless connectivity between the device and the printer for mobile printing.
3.3 Printing Documents and Photos
- From a Computer: Install the printer drivers from the Epson website. Open your document or photo, select Print, choose your printer, and adjust settings as needed.
- From a Mobile Device: Download the Epson Smart Panel app. Connect your device to the same Wi-Fi network as the printer and use the app to print.
- Direct from SD Card: Insert an SD card into the slot on the front of the printer. Use the touchscreen to browse and select photos for printing.

Image: A close-up view of the Epson EcoTank L8160's color touchscreen. A finger is shown touching the display, which shows a split screen with a landscape image on one side and a baby's face on the other, demonstrating the screen's interactive capabilities.
3.4 Scanning and Copying
- Scanning: Place your document or photo on the scanner glass. On the printer's touchscreen, select Scan. Choose to scan to a computer, cloud service, or memory card.
- Copying: Place your document on the scanner glass. On the touchscreen, select Copy. Adjust settings like number of copies, paper size, and quality, then press Start.

Image: The Epson EcoTank L8160 printer is shown with its top lid open, revealing the flatbed scanner glass. This view highlights the printer's scanning and copying functionality.
4. Maintenance
Regular maintenance ensures optimal performance and longevity of your printer.
4.1 Checking Ink Levels and Refilling
Visually inspect the ink tanks on the front of the printer. When an ink level is low, refill it using genuine Epson ink bottles as described in the Setup section.
4.2 Print Head Cleaning and Nozzle Check
If print quality declines (e.g., missing lines, streaks), perform a nozzle check and print head cleaning.
- On the touchscreen, navigate to Settings > Maintenance.
- Select Nozzle Check to print a pattern and identify clogged nozzles.
- If necessary, select Head Cleaning and follow the on-screen instructions. You may need to perform this multiple times.
4.3 Cleaning the Printer
- Wipe the exterior of the printer with a soft, damp cloth.
- Clean the scanner glass with a lint-free cloth and glass cleaner.
- Refer to the on-screen maintenance options for internal cleaning procedures if print quality issues persist.
5. Troubleshooting
This section addresses common issues you might encounter.
5.1 Printer Not Responding
- Ensure the printer is powered on and connected to a power outlet.
- Check all cable connections (USB, Ethernet).
- Verify Wi-Fi connection status on the printer and your device.
- Restart the printer and your computer/device.
5.2 Poor Print Quality
- Perform a Nozzle Check and Head Cleaning (see Maintenance section).
- Ensure you are using genuine Epson ink.
- Check paper type and quality settings in your print driver.
- Clean the print head if necessary.
5.3 Paper Jams
- Turn off the printer and unplug it.
- Carefully remove any jammed paper from the paper trays, rear feeder, or inside the printer. Avoid tearing the paper.
- Ensure paper is loaded correctly and not creased or curled.
For more detailed troubleshooting, refer to the Epson support website or the printer's on-screen help.
6. Specifications
Feature | Specification |
---|---|
Brand | Epson |
Model Name | L8160 |
Model Number | C11CJ20402 |
Product Type | All-in-one Inkjet Printer |
Color | White |
Max Print Resolution | 5760 x 1440 DPI |
Screen Size | 10.9 Centimeters |
Connectivity | Ethernet, Wi-Fi |
Special Features | Automatic Duplexing |
Item Dimensions (LxWxH) | 24 x 69 x 2.5 centimeters |
Item Weight | 8400 Grams |
Voltage | 3 Volts |
Recommended Uses | Home |
7. Support and Warranty
For technical support, driver downloads, and additional resources, please visit the official Epson support website for your region. You can typically find support by searching for your printer model (Epson EcoTank L8160) on their website.
Information regarding specific warranty details for this product was not available in the provided data. Please refer to the warranty card included with your product or the official Epson website for the most current warranty terms and conditions applicable to your purchase region.