Solving Printer Problems

Introduction
Clearing Paper Jams
Improving Print Quality

Introduction

This chapter helps you to troubleshoot printer problems in the following areas:

Clearing paper jams
Improving print quality
Understanding printer messages
Troubleshooting check list

If a 13 PAPER JAM or 13 DUPLEX JAM message appears in the display panel, look for jammed paper in any of the locations in Figure 8-1. If you get repeated paper jams or if the paper jam message appears repeatedly, see " Repeated Paper Jams" at the end of this section. Paper jams occur most often when:

Peper cassettes are not correctly loaded (see Chapter 3, "Printing Tasks").
Your print media does not meet the specifications listed in Chapter 3, " Printing Tasks", and Appendix C, "Media Specifications".
The media is in poor condition.
The printer needs cleaning.
User-replaceable parts are wearing out (see " User-Replaceable Parts" in Chapter 7).

Paper Jams: Paper Pickup and Transfer Guide Areas

Remove the paper cassette
Pull the paper out through the front of the printer

Note
Do not force the paper. If you can see paper in the cassette opening but cannot remove it easily, remove the paper through the Transfer Guide Area (see next steps)

Open the top cover and remove the toner cartridge.
Raise the green handle to free the paper, and pull the paper out through the front of the printer.

Paper Jams: Fusing Assembly Area - Top Cover

open the top cover and remove the toner cartridge.
Remove the paper by pulling it back out of the fuser, into the printer body. Roll the paper toward you to avoid spilling loose (unfused) toner.
Clean any loose toner that may have fallen into the printer with a clean lint-free cloth

Note
If loose toner falls into the fuser, it may cause print quality problems

If toner gets on your clothes, wipe it off with a dry cloth and wash your clothes in cold water. Hot water sets toner into fabric.

Paper Jams: Rear Cover - Fusing Assembly and Paper Exit Areas

Warning
The fusing area gets HOT.

Open the rear cover.
Open the rear door of the fusing assembly, if necessary
Pull the jammed paper from the fusing assembly.
Remove the leading edge from the paper exit in the output bin if necessary

Note
Make sure that the orange packing spacers have been removed from the fusing assembly.

Paper Jams: 500-sheet Lower Cassette

(not applicable at ING)

Partially remove the 500-sheet Lower Cassette
Remove jammed paper.
If necessary, partially remove the 500-sheet Paper Cassette and remove jammed paper.
Remove any pages in the cassette that are damaged. Do not reload damaged paper into the cassette.

Note
If there are frequent paper jams or multi-feed problems in the lower cassette area, see "Printing from the OPtional lOwer Cassette" in Chapter 3 and " Repeated Paper Jams" at the end of this section.

Repeated Paper Jams: Situations and Solutions
Situation	Solution
General repeated paper jam problems.	Check to see that media is correctly loaded in trays (see Chapter 3, "Printing Tasks "). Previously printed paper or torn, worn, or irregular paper should not be used. Certain media jams, other media does not. For the recommended paper and other media for your printer, see Appendix C, "Media Specifications." Try turning over the stack of paper in the tray. Parts may be worn. See " User-Replaceable Parts " in Chapter 7. If jams continue, contact your authorized HP service provider.
Multipurpose (MP) Tray repeated jams.	If jams persist after you have cleaned the printer, check the media specifications and verify that you are loading the Multipurpose (MP) tray correctly (see Chapter 3 "Printing Tasks"). You may need to replace the Multipurpose (MP) Tray Pickup Roller as described in Chapter 7.
Paper Cassette repeated jams.	If jams persist after you have cleaned the printer, check the media specifications and verify that you are loading the Multipurpose (MP) tray correctly (see Chapter 3 " Printing Tasks"). You may need to replace the Multipurpose (MP) Tray Pickup Roller as described in Chapter 7. If using the universal (adjustable) Paper Cassette, verify that the paper size knob and other adjustments are set correctly and that the tray is not overloaded.
Lower Cassette repeated jams.	Adjust the Lower Cassette as described in "Printing from the Optional Lower Cassette " in Chapter3. Verify that the paper size, tension, and other adjustments are set correctly and that the tray is not overloaded. If two or more pieces of media are being selected at once, it may help to decrease the tension (turn the adjustment clockwise). If the media is not being picked up from the tray, increase the tension (turn the adjustment counterclockwise).

Improving Print Quality

General causes of print quality problems are given in the checklist below, followed by specific samples of common print quality problems. If the listed solutions do not work, call for help.

Print Quality Checklist

Redistribute the toner in the toner cartridge (see " The toner Cartridge" in Chapter 7).
Clean the inside of the printer (see " Cleaning the printer" in Chapter 7).
Adjust the print density (see "Adjusting Print " )
Check the paper type and quality (see Appendix C, " Media Specifications").
Replace the toner cartridge, then check the print quality again.

Vertical Fade

If a vertical white streak or faded area appears on the page:

The toner cartridge toner supply is low. Remove the toner cartridge from the printer and rotate it back and forth. If shaking the cartridge does not improve the print quality, replace the toner cartridge.
The print density is too light. Adjust the density adjustment setting from the control panel (1 is light; 5 is dark). (see " Adjusting Print Density" in Chapter 5).

Dropouts

If faded-out areas, generally rounded, occur randomly on the page:

The moisture content of the paper is uneven, or the paper has moist spots on its surface. Try paper from a different source.
The paper lot is bad. The manufacturing process can cause some areas to reject toner. Try paper from a different source.
The transfer roller is dirty. Replace the transfer roller (see "User-Replaceable Parts" in Chapter 7).