Jams
Use this illustration to troubleshoot jams in the printer. For instructions to clear jams, see Clearing jams on page 202 .
Figure 6-1 Jam locations (printer shown without optional tray 3)
1
2
3
4
5
6
Output bin
Paper path (inside the front cover)
Multipurpose tray (tray 1)
Trays 2, 3
Duplex path (inside the upper cover and the front cover of duplex models only)
Fuser (inside the top cover)
Jam recovery
This printer automatically provides jam recovery, a feature that specifies whether the printer should attempt to automatically reprint jammed pages.
● AUTO instructs the printer to attempt to reprint jammed pages.
● OFF instructs the printer not to attempt to reprint jammed pages.
NOTE: During the recovery process, the printer might reprint pages that were printed before the jam occurred. Be sure to remove any duplicated pages.
To improve print speed and increase memory resources, disable the jam recovery.
To turn off jam recovery
1.
Press Menu .
2.
Press to highlight CONFIGURE DEVICE, and then press .
3.
Press to highlight SYSTEM SETUP, and then press .
4.
Press to highlight JAM RECOVERY, and then press .
200 Chapter 6 Troubleshooting ENWW
5.
Press to highlight OFF, and then press .
6.
Press Menu to return to the Ready state.
Avoiding jams
The table below lists common causes of jams and suggests solutions for resolving jams.
Table 6-2 Common causes of jams
Cause Solution
The media does not meet HPrecommended specifications.
A supply item is installed incorrectly, causing repeated jams.
You are reloading media that has already passed through a printer or copier.
A tray is loaded incorrectly.
The media is skewed.
The media is binding or sticking together.
Use only media that meets HP specifications.
Verify that all print cartridges, the transfer unit, and the fuser are correctly installed.
Do not use media that has been previously printed on or copied.
Remove any excess media from the input tray. Be sure that the stack does not exceed the maximum stack height mark in the input tray.
The tray guides are not adjusted correctly. Adjust the guides so they hold the stack firmly in place without bending it.
Remove the stack and flex it, rotate it 180°, or flip it over. Reload the stack into the tray.
NOTE: Do not fan paper. Fanning can create static electricity which can cause paper to stick together.
The media is removed before it settles into the output bin.
When duplexing, the paper is removed before the second side of the document is printed.
Reset the printer. Wait until the page completely settles in the output bin before removing it.
Reset the printer and print the document again. Wait until the page completely settles in the output bin before removing it.
The media is in poor condition.
The internal rollers do not pick up media from tray 2 or tray 3.
Replace the media.
Remove the top sheet of media. If it is heavier than
163 g/m 2 (43 lb), it might not be picked from the tray.
Replace the media.
The media has rough or jagged edges.
The media is perforated or embossed.
The supplies have reached the end of their useful life.
This type of media does not separate easily. You might need to feed single sheets from the multipurpose tray.
Check the printer control panel for messages prompting you to replace supplies, or print a supplies status page to verify the remaining life of the supplies.
The media was not stored correctly. Replace the media. Media should be stored in the original packaging in a controlled environment.
ENWW Jams 201
Clearing jams
Procedures in the following sections correspond with a jam message that might appear on the control panel.
Jam in the multipurpose tray (tray 1)
1.
Remove the media from the tray.
2.
Grasp the jammed sheet by both corners and pull.
3.
Place the media stack in the tray.
202 Chapter 6 Troubleshooting ENWW
4.
Confirm that the media guides are against the stack without bending it and that the stack does not extend above the fill tabs.
5.
Press to resume printing.
Jam in tray 2 or tray 3
1.
If the optional tray 3 is installed, pull it out and place it on a flat surface. If the jammed sheet is visible, remove it.
2.
If the sheet is not visible, check inside the printer at the top of the tray opening. Remove any jammed media.
3.
Pull out tray 2 and place it on a flat surface.
ENWW Jams 203
4.
If the jammed sheet is visible, remove it.
5.
If the sheet is not visible, check inside the printer at the top of the tray opening. Remove any jammed media.
6.
Replace tray 2 and optional tray 3.
NOTE: Use the multipurpose tray when printing on heavier paper.
7.
Press to resume printing.
NOTE: When printing from tray 2, printing resumes automatically.
204 Chapter 6 Troubleshooting ENWW
Jam inside the fuser area (upper cover)
1.
Open the upper cover.
2.
If the jammed sheet is visible, remove it and then close the upper cover.
3.
If the sheet is not visible, turn off the printer.
ENWW
WARNING!
The fuser will be hot. Wait 10 minutes before proceeding.
Jams 205
4.
Place your thumbs on the fuser latches, squeeze the latches, and pull up on the fuser to remove it.
5.
On the fuser, lift the shutter door.
CAUTION: Do not open the shutter door while the fuser is in the printer.
6.
Remove any jammed sheets.
NOTE: If the sheet tears, make sure that all fragments are removed before you resume printing.
206 Chapter 6 Troubleshooting ENWW
7.
Hold the fuser with your thumbs on the latches, and then push both sides of the fuser into the printer. Press the fuser down until it clicks into place.
8.
Close the upper cover and then turn on the printer.
ENWW Jams 207
Jam inside the front cover
NOTE: This part is called the front door in the user documentation and in chapter 1, “Product information”.
1.
Open the front cover.
CAUTION: Do not place anything on the transfer unit. Do not touch the top of the transfer unit or the contacts on the left side of it.
NOTE: If the sheet tears, make sure that all fragments are removed before resuming printing.
2.
Remove any visible media.
208 Chapter 6 Troubleshooting ENWW
ENWW
3.
Locate the green registration-plate tabs that are below the bottom print cartridge.
4.
Press the tabs, and then lift the registration plate. Remove any jammed media, and then return the registration plate to its closed position.
NOTE: If the sheet tears, make sure that all fragments are removed before resuming printing.
5.
Close the front cover.
Jams 209
Jam in the duplex path
NOTE: This issue occurs only in duplex models.
1.
Turn off the printer, and open the upper cover.
If any media is visible, remove it.
2.
Open the front cover.
210 Chapter 6 Troubleshooting ENWW
ENWW
3.
Rotate the transfer unit up and away from the front cover.
4.
Remove any jammed sheets from under the transfer unit.
5.
Locate the green registration-plate tabs that are below the bottom print cartridge.
Jams 211
6.
Press the tabs, and then lift the registration plate. Remove any jammed media, and then return the registration plate to its closed position.
NOTE: If the sheet tears, make sure that all fragments are removed before resuming printing.
7.
Close the front cover and then turn on the printer.
Image-formation troubleshooting
This section identifies issues that can affect print quality. For additional information, see the
HP LaserJet Printer Family Print Media Guide.
Print-quality problems associated with media
Some print-quality problems arise from use of inappropriate print media.
● Use media that meets HP paper specifications.
● The gloss and transparency films are very smooth. Use paper that meets HP paper specifications.
● The driver setting is incorrect. To change the paper-type setting, see Type and Size.
● The media you are using is too heavy for the paper-type setting you selected, and the toner is not fusing to the paper.
212 Chapter 6 Troubleshooting ENWW
● The moisture content of the paper is uneven, too high, or too low. Use paper from a different source, from an unopened ream of paper, or dry out the paper (100˚C [212˚F] for 24 hours).
● Some areas of the paper reject toner. Use paper from a different source or from an unopened ream of paper.
● The letterhead you are using is printed on rough paper. Use a smoother, xerographic paper. If this solves your problem, consult with the supplier of your letterhead to verify that the paper used meets the specifications for this printer.
● The paper is excessively rough. Use a smoother, xerographic paper.
● Avoid media containing metallic laminates or conductive surfaces.
Defects on overhead transparencies
Overhead transparencies can show the image-quality problems as any other type of media, as well as defects that are specific to printing on transparencies. Because transparencies are pliable while in the print path, the paper-handling components can also mark them.
NOTE: Allow transparencies to cool for at least 30 seconds before handling them.
● Change the pre-rotation setting in CONFIGURE DEVICE/PRINT QUALITY/OPTIMIZE/PRE-
ROTATION=ON. This enhances transparency print quality by raising the fuser pressure roller temperature to more closely match the sleeve temperature.
● Change the transparency mode in CONFIGURE DEVICE/PRINT QUALITY/PRINT MODES/
TRANSPARENCY to B TRNSPRNCY (Best Transparency) mode. This optimizes transparency print quality and minimizes transparency curl.
NOTE: If the printer media sensor rejects a supported color laserjet transparency, make sure that the transparency is not from an old box. Try a new box.
● In the printer driver Paper tab, select Transparency as the paper type. Also, make sure that the tray is correctly configured for transparencies.
● Check that the transparencies meet the specifications for this printer. For more information about media specifications and for ordering information, consult the HP LaserJet Printer Family
Print Media Specification Guide.
● If print-quality defects occur, then make sure that the transparencies are designed for correct toner adhesion. Use only transparencies that are designed for HP Color LaserJet printers.
● Handle transparencies by the edges. Oil from fingers can cause spots and smudges on the transparencies.
● Small, random, dark areas on the trailing edge of solid fill pages might be caused by transparencies sticking together in the output bin. Try printing the job in smaller batches.
● If the selected colors are not what you want when printed, then select different colors in the program or printer driver.
● If you are using a reflective overhead projector, then use a standard overhead projector instead.
ENWW Jams 213
Print-quality problems that are related to the environment
If the printer is operating in excessively humid or dry conditions, verify that the printing environment is within specifications. See the getting started guide for this printer for information about operatingenvironment specifications.
Print-quality problems that are related to jams
Make sure that all media is cleared from the paper path.
● If the printer recently jammed, print two to three pages to clean the printer.
● If the media does not pass through the fuser, image defects appear on subsequent documents.
Print two to three pages to clean the printer.
Print-quality problems from toner buildup
Over time, toner and other particles can build up inside the printer. This buildup can cause the following print-quality problems:
● Marks at even intervals on the printed side of the page
● Toner that smears easily
● Toner specks on the page
● Vertical streaks or bands on the page
To correct these types of problems, clean the printer. See Cleaning the printer on page 38
.
Print-quality troubleshooting pages
Use the built-in print-quality troubleshooting pages to help diagnose and solve print-quality problems.
1.
Press Menu .
2.
Press to highlight DIAGNOSTICS, and then press .
3.
Press to highlight PQ TROUBLESHOOTING, and then press to print the pages.
214 Chapter 6 Troubleshooting ENWW
