Envelope Printing Color LasetJet MFP MP283fdw

[MarkLMA]

I recently had to restore my Dell laptop…reinstalled Windows 11, etc…all is well except the printer of course. Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw. Can't get it to print an envelope. I have the Word set for envelope under printer properties (print dialog) and settings just below that. I have the printer set tray 1 for #10 envelope and have tried both envelope and plain paper under the paper setting for tray 1 with #10 envelope. Every time I try to print I get a paper jam error. I clear it, same thing. Restart everything….check all the paper settings carefully….same thing.

On top of this, I found it very confusing to determine exactly what type of software to download. It looks like HP Smart is all I need, but that has limited functionality. So now I’ve got not only HP Smart, but HP Scan Assistant, HP Scanner Tools Utility, HP Twin Administration. I don’t think those are impacting the envelope printing issue though.

Can someone point me in the right direction for full function software required and how to print an envelope without getting “Jam in Tray 1”?

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @MarkLMA,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

When facing a paper jam issue with your HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw while trying to print envelopes, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can follow to resolve the problem:

STEP 1: Set Tray 1 to Envelope (#10) on the Printer Control Panel

On the printer:

1. Setup (⚙️) → Paper Handling / Tray Settings
2. Select Tray 1
3. Set: 
   • Paper size: Envelope #10
   • Paper type: Envelope

⚠ Do NOT set type to Plain Paper.
This model will reject envelopes if you choose “Plain.”

STEP 2: Word’s Envelope Dialog (Essential)

In Word:
Mailings → Envelopes → Options

Set:

• Envelope size: #10
• Feed method: face‑down, top‑edge leading (this matches HP’s path)

Then click Printing Options:

• Select Manual Feed in Tray 1
• Check orientation diagram (should match the printer guidance)

STEP 3: In Print Dialog → Force Correct Paper Type

When printing:

1. File → Print
2. Select your HP M283fdw
3. Click Printer Properties or More settings
4. Set:

• Paper size: Envelope #10
• Paper type: Envelope
• Source: Manual Feed / Tray 1

If the “Envelope” type is not chosen here, the printer will jam.

STEP 4: Load the Envelope Correctly (Very Important)

Laser printers are picky. For #10 envelopes:

• Insert flap CLOSED
• Insert the top edge first
• Insert print side down
• Push the envelope in until it stops
• Align width guides snugly but not tight

If guides are loose → the printer thinks the envelope is skewed = Jam error.
If guides are too tight → envelope buckles = Jam error.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

VikramTheGreat

[MarkLMA]

Hello VikramTheGreat!  Thank you for your help.  I did notice some of your "menu" descriptions didn't quite line up with my version of Word (Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021), but I was somehow able to get envelopes to print--between your suggestions and my trying out different things.  In the end, that's all that matters!  I have determined that this somewhat simple solution works every time:

1. On the Printer, go to SETUP => SYSTEM SETUP => PAPER SETUP => TRAY1 and be sure PAPER TYPE and PAPER SIZE are both set to ENVELOPE.

1. Load Envelope into TRAY1 in the printer according to diagram below:

 

1. In Word, go to FILE => PRINT

1. Under printer make sure the HP Color Laserjet is selected as the printer

1. Just under the printer name, select PRINTER PROPERTIES and make sure #10 ENVELOPE is selected.  You may have to set up a custom shortcut for #10 Envelope for PAPER SIZE, Tray 1 for PAPER SOURCE  and Envelope for PAPER TYPE and save it as a custom shortcut if the generic HP printer envelope shortcut is not set up this way.  Make sure you always select a shortcut, whether generic or custom before you print the envelope.

1. Select OK.

1. Arrow back (top left of dialog window) Go into MAILINGS => ENVELOPES and fill in as needed and PRINT

[Hawks_Eye · Accepted solution]

Hi @MarkLMA 

That’s a wonderfully clear workflow you’ve documented—nicely done! You’ve essentially created a reliable “recipe” for envelope printing on the HP Color LaserJet MFP M283fdw, and I like how you’ve broken it down into printer setup, tray loading, Word settings, and shortcut management. That’s exactly the kind of step-by-step clarity that makes troubleshooting painless for others who might run into the same issue.

A couple of extra refinements you might find useful:

• Consistency with shortcuts: Once you’ve saved that custom shortcut for #10 envelopes, it’s worth naming it something obvious like “Envelope – Tray1” so you never have to second-guess which one to pick.
• Avoiding misfeeds: If you ever notice smudging or skewing, check that the envelope flap is positioned correctly and that the side guides in Tray1 are snug but not too tight.
• Batch printing: If you plan to print multiple envelopes, it’s often smoother to load them one at a time rather than stacking, since envelopes can vary slightly in thickness and cause jams.

Your solution is practical and replicable—exactly what others in the HP community would appreciate. Out of curiosity, do you plan to share this workflow as a reusable guide for colleagues or post it in a forum so others can benefit from your testing?

Regards,

Hawks_Eye.

[Pisces_Orca]

Hello

Could you please help confirm the following items so that we can more accurately determine the cause of the printer paper jam:

Please test printing using Tray 2 to verify if the printing process works properly.
Please test printing with plain A4 paper loaded in Tray 1 to check if it can print normally.
Please note whether the paper jam location is the same every time, and record the error message or error code displayed on the printer panel when a jam occurs.

Meanwhile, please access the printer's EWS (Embedded Web Server), go to the Information page, find the Event Log, and send me a screenshot. I will use this information to fully analyze and determine the exact cause of the paper jams.

Thank you for your cooperation!