Paper handling problems
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Paper handling problems
The following table lists common paper handling problems and suggested solutions for resolving them.
Use only paper that meets the specifications outlined in the HP LaserJet Printer Family Print Media Specification Guide. For ordering information, see Supplies and accessories.
For paper specifications for this printer, see Supported paper weights and sizes.
Paper handling problems
Printer feeds multiple sheets
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Cause
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Solution
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| The tray is overfilled. | Remove excess paper from the tray. | ||
| The paper exceeds the maximum stack height indicator mark in the tray (Trays 2 or 3). | Open the tray and verify that the paper stack is below the maximum stack height indicator mark. | ||
| Paper is sticking together. | Remove paper, flex it, rotate it 180 degrees or flip it over, and then reload it into the tray.
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| Paper does not meet the specifications for this printer. | Use only paper that meets HP paper specifications for this printer. See Supported paper weights and sizes. | ||
| Paper is being used in a high humidity environment. | Use another type of paper. |
Two pages are printed on one piece of paper
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Cause
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Solution
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| Long paper can extend out of the top of the output bin and drop back into Tray 1. | Extend the paper support when using long paper. |
Printer feeds incorrect page size
Printer pulls from incorrect tray
Paper does not feed automatically
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Cause
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Solution
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| Manual feed is selected in the software application. | Load Tray 1 with paper, or, if the paper is loaded, press  .
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| The correct size paper is not loaded. | Load the correct size paper. |
| The tray is empty. | Load paper into the tray. |
| Paper from a previous jam has not been completely removed. | Open the printer and remove any paper in the paper path. Closely inspect the fuser area for jams. See Paper jams. |
| The paper size is not configured correctly for the tray. | Print a configuration page or use the control panel to determine the paper size for which the tray is configured. |
| The guides in the tray are not against the paper. | Verify that the guides are touching the paper. |
| Manual feed prompt is set to ALWAYS. The printer will always prompt for manual feed, even if paper is in the tray. | Open the tray, reload the paper, and then close the tray. Otherwise, change the manual feed prompt setting to UNLESS LOADED. Using this setting, the printer will prompt for manual feed unless paper is already in the tray. |
| The USE REQUESTED TRAY setting in the printer control panel is set to EXCLUSIVELY, and the requested tray is empty. The printer will not use another tray. | Load paper in the requested tray. or Change the setting from EXCLUSIVELY to FIRST in the Configuration Menu. This will allow the printer to use the paper in other trays if no paper is loaded in the specified tray. |
Paper does not feed from Trays 2 and 3
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Cause
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Solution
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| Manual feed or Tray 1 is selected in the software application. | Load Tray 1 with paper, or if the paper is loaded, press .
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| The correct size paper is not loaded. | Load the correct size paper. |
| The tray is empty. | Load paper in the tray. |
| The correct paper type for the tray is not selected in the printer control panel. | From the printer control panel, select the correct paper type for the tray. |
| Paper from a previous jam has not been completely removed. | Open the printer and remove any paper in the paper path. Closely inspect the fuser area for jams. See Paper jams. |
| Tray 3 (500-sheet paper feeder) does not appear as a tray option. | Tray 3 appears as an option only if it is installed. Verify that Tray 3 is correctly installed. Verify that the printer driver has been configured to recognize Tray 3. See Gaining access to printer driver settings. |
| Tray 3 is incorrectly installed. | Print a configuration page to confirm that Tray 3 is installed. If not, verify that the optional installed 500-sheet feeder assembly is correctly attached to the printer. |
| The paper size is not configured correctly for the tray. | Print a configuration page or use the control panel to determine the paper size for which the tray is configured. |
| The guides in the tray are not against the paper. | Verify that the guides are touching the paper. |
| The USE REQUESTED TRAY setting in the printer control panel is set to EXCLUSIVELY, and the requested tray is empty. The printer will not use another tray. | Change the setting from EXCLUSIVELY, or load paper in the requested tray. |
Transparencies or glossy paper will not feed
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Cause
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Solution
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| Unsupported transparencies may have been loaded. | Use transparencies designed for HP Color LaserJet printers. |
| The correct paper type is not specified in the software or printer driver. | Verify that the correct paper type is selected in the software or printer driver. |
| The tray is overfilled. | Remove excess paper from the tray. Make sure the paper does not exceed the maximum stack height indicator mark in Trays 2 or 3. Do not exceed the maximum stack height for Tray 1. |
| Paper in another tray is the same size as the transparencies, and the printer is defaulting to the other tray. | Make sure that the tray containing the transparencies or glossy paper is selected in the software application or printer driver. Use the printer control panel to configure the tray to the paper type loaded. |
| The tray containing the transparencies or glossy paper is not configured correctly for type. | Make sure that the tray containing the transparencies or glossy paper is selected in the software application or printer driver. Use the printer control panel to configure the tray to the paper type loaded. See Configuring trays. |
Envelopes jam or will not feed in the printer
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Cause
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Solution
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| Envelopes are loaded in an unsupported tray. Only Tray 1 can feed envelopes. | Load envelopes into Tray 1. |
| Envelopes are curled or damaged. | Try using different envelopes. Store envelopes in a controlled environment. See Envelopes for more information. |
| Envelopes are sealing because the moisture content is too high. | Try using different envelopes. Store envelopes in a controlled environment. |
| Envelope orientation is incorrect. | Verify that the envelope is loaded correctly. See Configuring trays. |
| This printer does not support the envelopes being used. | See Supported paper weights and sizes or the HP LaserJet Printer Family Print Media Specification Guide. |
| Tray 1 is configured for a size other than envelopes. | Configure Tray 1 size for envelopes. |
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Cause
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Solution
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| Paper does not meet the specifications for this printer. | Use only paper that meets the HP paper specifications for this printer. See Supported paper weights and sizes. |
| Paper is damaged or in poor condition. | Remove paper from the tray and load paper that is in good condition. |
| Printer is operating in an excessively humid environment. | Verify that the printing environment is within humidity specifications. |
| You are printing large, solid-filled areas. | Large, solid-filled areas can cause excessive curl. Try using a different pattern. |
| Paper used was not stored correctly and may have absorbed moisture. | Remove paper and replace it with paper from a fresh, unopened package. |
| Paper has poorly cut edges. | Remove paper, flex it, rotate it 180 degrees or turn it over, and then reload it into the tray. Do not fan paper. If the problem persists, replace the paper. |
| Lower rear door (rear output bin) was not fully extended. | Fully extend the lower rear door (rear output bin). |
| The specific paper type was not configured for the tray or selected in the software. | Configure the software for the paper (see the software documentation). Configure the tray for the paper. See Configuring trays. |
| Paper was used previously. | Do not reuse paper. |
Printer will not duplex or duplexes incorrectly (2-sided printing)
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Cause
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Solution
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| You are trying to auto-duplex on unsupported paper. | Verify that the paper is supported for 2-sided printing. See Supported paper weights and sizes. If the paper is not supported, see Manual 2-sided printing. |
| The printer driver is not set up for 2-sided printing. | Set up the printer driver to enable 2-sided printing. See Gaining access to printer driver settings. |
| The first page is printing on the back of preprinted forms or letterhead. | For Tray 1, load the letterhead paper with first side down, bottom in first. For Tray 2 or Tray 3, load the letterhead paper with the first side up, top edge toward the back of the tray. See 2-sided (duplex) printing for more information on 2-sided printing. |
| Printer model does not support automatic 2-sided printing. | The HP Color LaserJet 3550, 3550n, 3700, and 3700n printers do not support automatic 2-sided printing. See Manual 2-sided printing. |
| A manual 2-sided print job was requested with the option Correct Order for Rear Bin selected, but the lower rear door (rear output bin) was not open. | Open the lower rear door (rear output bin) and send the job to the printer again. |
Prints on one side even when 2-sided (duplex) was selected
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Cause
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Solution
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| Manual duplex is not enabled. | Select manual duplexing (2-sided). See Manual 2-sided printing. |
| The size of paper selected does not support 2-sided (duplex) printing. | Load and select a size and type of paper that supports automatic 2-sided printing. |