Installing Epson EcoTank ET-8500 Linux Driver

Installing ET-8500 on Windows is well documented in instruction. The ET-8500 Linux Driver installation is simple but not trivial.

When

The Epson ET-8500 is supported on Ubuntu 24.04[6], but installation may require a few extra steps to ensure full functionality, especially for advanced features and color management.

Step-by-step installation:

1. Connect the Printer

   • Connect your ET-8500 to your computer via USB or to your network via Wi-Fi (using the printer’s LCD screen to join your Wi-Fi network).

2. Check for Automatic Detection

   • Open Settings → Printers in Ubuntu.
   • Click Add Printer. Ubuntu may automatically detect the ET-8500 and offer a generic driver.
   • Try printing a test page. If the print quality and features are sufficient, you can use this setup[3][4].

3. Install ESC/P-R Driver (Recommended for Epson Inkjet)

   • If the generic driver does not provide good results (especially for color/photo printing), install the escpr driver, which is Epson’s official Linux driver for many EcoTank models:

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install printer-driver-escpr
   

   • After installation, re-add the printer via Settings → Printers and select the ESC/P-R driver if prompted[3][4].

4. Download and Install Official Epson Drivers (If Needed)

   • Visit Epson’s support site and search for Linux drivers for the ET-8500. Download the .deb package if available[3].
   • Install the downloaded driver:

   sudo dpkg -i 
   sudo apt --fix-broken install
   

   • Reboot or restart the printer service:

   sudo systemctl restart cups
   

   • Add the printer again if needed.

5. Scanner Functionality

   • For scanning, you may need the iscan driver from Epson’s site. Download the appropriate Linux package and install it as above[3].

6. Test and Adjust

   • Print a test page and check color/photo quality.
   • If needed, try different drivers via Settings → Printers → Printer Properties → Change Driver.

Notes:

• The ET-8500 is listed as compatible with Ubuntu 24.04, so it should work out of the box or with the escpr driver[6].
• For advanced photo printing, the official Epson driver or escpr is recommended over the generic Gutenprint driver, as Gutenprint may not handle all color channels optimally for six-color printers like the ET-8500[3].
• If you experience issues, check for updates or consult Ubuntu and Epson forums for model-specific tips.

Summary Table:

Step	Command/Action	Notes
Install escpr driver	sudo apt install printer-driver-escpr	Recommended for Epson inkjets[3][4]
Download official driver	Download .deb from Epson site	For full feature support[3]
Install downloaded driver	sudo dpkg -i	Use if escpr is insufficient[3]
Add printer	Use Ubuntu Settings → Printers	Select correct driver
Install scanner driver	Download and install iscan from Epson	For scanning support[3]

This approach ensures your Epson ET-8500 works optimally on Ubuntu 24.04.

See also if you have this old printer: Canon Pixma MP-495 Drivers for Windows 11