Common causes of paper jams

The following table lists common causes of paper jams and suggested solutions for resolving them.

Cause

 

Solution

 

 

Print media does not meet HP-recommended

See “Selecting print media” on page 66.

media specifications.

 

 

 

A consumable item is installed incorrectly,

Verify that the consumable item is correctly

causing repeated jams.

installed.

 

 

You are reloading paper that has already

Do not use media that has been printed or

passed through a printer or copier.

copied.

 

 

An input tray is loaded incorrectly.

Remove any excess media from the input tray.

 

 

Press media down in the input tray so it fits

 

 

below the tabs, and within the media width

 

 

guides. See Chapter 3 for instructions on

 

 

loading media.

 

 

Print media is skewed and jams.

Input tray guides are not adjusted correctly.

 

 

Adjust input tray guides so they hold media

 

 

firmly in place without bending it.

 

 

Print media is binding or sticking together.

Remove media, flex it, rotate it 180 degrees or

 

 

flip it over. Reload media into the input tray.

 

 

Do not fan media.

 

 

Media size specified in software does not

Verify that the media size selected in your

match the input tray’s media size configuration.

software application or printer driver matches

 

 

the media size specified in the printer control

 

 

panel for the tray you are printing from.

 

 

Print media is in poor condition.

Replace the print media.

 

 

Printer consumable items have reached the

Check the printer control panel for messages

end of their useful life.

prompting you to replace consumable items, or

 

 

print a configuration page to verify the

 

 

remaining life of the consumable items. See

 

 

Chapter 3 for information on consumable

 

 

items.

 

 

Media was not stored correctly.

Replace the print media. Media should be

 

 

stored in its original packaging in a controlled

 

 

environment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note

If the printer still continues to jam, contact HP Customer Support or

 

your authorized HP service provider. See “HP Customer Care options

 

worldwide” on page 252.

 

 

 

 

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HP 4550 manual Common causes of paper jams, Cause Solution