Cutter stopped working on HP Designjet T730 V4

[MSWIND]

HP Designjet T730 V4 stopped cutting

[Dragora]

Hi MSWIND

When an HP DesignJet T730 stops cutting the roll paper, it typically boils down to one of three things: a simple software setting glitch, a physical paper jam obstruction, or a broken internal plastic gear (a very common hardware issue on this specific model line).

Work through these steps in order to diagnose and fix the issue.

Step 1: Force a Manual Cut via the Control Panel

First, we need to determine if the printer physically can't cut, or if it's just ignoring the command from your computer.

1. Go to the front control panel touchscreen on the printer.

2. Tap the Settings/Tools icon (the gear).

3. Select Form Feed and Cut (or Page Move and Cut).

4. The plotter should feed the paper out slightly and the printhead carriage should slide to the left side, engage the cutter, and slide across the page.

• If it cuts perfectly here: The issue is a software setting. Skip to Step 2.

• If it ignores the command, makes a grinding noise, or moves without cutting: The issue is mechanical. Skip to Step 3.

Step 2: Check the Software and Driver Settings (If it cut manually)

Sometimes a driver update or a local setting automatically disables the automatic cutter to save paper or prevent short scraps from falling.

• On the Printer Screen: Go to:  Settings > Plotter Preferences > Print Retrieval > Enable Cutter and ensure it is set to On.

• In Windows (Before Printing): Go to your computer's Control Panel > Devices and Printers. Right-click your DesignJet T730 and choose Printing Preferences. Look under the Features or Advanced tab and verify that "Disable Automatic Cutter" is unchecked.

• In macOS: In the print dialog screen, look for the dropdown menu (usually says Copies & Pages), switch it to Finishing, and ensure Disable Automatic Cutter is unchecked.

Step 3: Clear Debris and Inspect the Track

If the printer tries to cut but fails—or if this issue started immediately after printing the very end of a paper roll—the cutter track is likely jammed. The thick, tightly curled end of a paper roll frequently jams the carriage.

1. Turn off the plotter and unplug the power cord.

2. Open the main top window and the roll cover.

3. Look at the far left side of the printer track. This is where the mechanical cutter assembly sits when at rest.

4. Carefully slide the printhead carriage out of the way to the right side.

5. Inspect the cutter housing and the track it slides along. Check for tiny paper shards, lint, or strips of paper wedge inside the blade mechanism. Use a flashlight and tweezers to remove any fragments.

Step 4: The Hardware Reality (The "Cracked Gear" Issue)

If you cleared all paper debris, the software is enabled, and the printhead carriage moves over to the left but refuses to grab/engage the cutter assembly, you are likely dealing with a known physical failure on this model series.

The DesignJet T730 uses a mechanical cutter assembly (HP Part Number: CQ890-67108). Inside this assembly is a small nylon actuator gear. Over time, or when hit by a thick paper jam, this plastic gear cracks. Once it cracks, it loses its tension, and the printhead carriage can no longer latch onto the cutter to pull it across the paper.

• How to check: With the printer completely powered off, reach into the left side and try to gently slide the cutter assembly along its metal rail with your hand. If it feels completely loose, jumps off its track, or grinds heavily when you push it, the gear inside is broken.

• The Fix: Fortunately, the cutter assembly on the T730 is designed to be user-replaceable and doesn't require a technician to take the whole machine apart. It slides right off the end of the track. You can buy a replacement assembly online (Search for HP CQ890-67108) for relatively cheap, swap it out in about 5 minutes, and your automatic cutting will be fully restored.

I hope the above is helpful

If this helped you solve your problem, please mark my answer as the solution. Thank you.