Printer puts out blank pages when in standby

[TonyWPAO]

Hi, I recently purchased an HP Color Laserjet Pro MFP M277dw which has worked OK for the past two weeks, but today when not connected to any computer and with the LAN switched off, it output 5 blank pages all on its own. Later the same day it output another 20 blank pages. Again this was with no computers on and no LAN router active.

The printer is in standby but keeps pushing out blank pages on its own. Can anyone shed any light on the reason for this ?

Is the printer faulty ? The printer has not been setup to print wirelessly only on a LAN connection and no changes have been made to the printer setup since it was installed.

When in standby, the printer menu screen also keeps changing randomly to different screens on its own, rather than staying on the default screen. 

[Dvortex]

Hello, @TonyWPAO – Hope you are well 🙂

Thanks for engaging in the HP Forums! I see by your post that you are experiencing printer related issues. I will certainly do my best to help you!

Going through your post, it looks like an issue with the print spooler. Follow the steps below to clear the print spooler:

• Press “Windows key” + “r” to get the “Run” window.
• Type "services.msc" to get Services – Go to “Print spooler” – Right-click and “Stop” the service.
• Now again open "Run" - Type “spool” and ok - Go to PRINTERS folder - delete everything in that folder.
• Go to services again - Start the print spooler.
• Now check for issue resolution.

If the issue persists, also try clean installing the printer drivers. Here are the steps:

• First, unplug the USB cable from the printer, if present.
• Go to Control panel – Programs and feature – Select all the HP LaserJet printer entries and uninstall them.
• Now go to Control panel – Devices and printer – Select all the printer entries and remove the device.
• Press the "windows key" + "r" to get the "Run" window open - Type "printui.exe /s" (There is a space between .exe & /) and press enter.
• Under print server properties, go to drivers - remove any entry there as well.
• Again, go to the Run window, type – “c:/programdata” – Go to Hewlett Packard folder, remove any printer related folders & files.
• Restart your computer.
• Now click http://hp.care/2p1xyCG  to download and install the software.
• Connect the USB cable if prompted and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Please let me know if this resolves the issue, or if you require further assistance!

Good luck 🙂

Please click "Accepted as Solution" on the post that solves your issue to help others find the solution. To show appreciation for my help, please click the "Thumbs Up Icon" below!

[TonyWPAO]

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@Dvortex wrote:

Going through your post, it looks like an issue with the print spooler.

It sounds as if you're suggesting there could be stuff in the PC printer queue. My PC has nothing to do with this problem as it's not switched on when the HP Printer prints out blank pages ... The PC is OFF (no power). The LAN is OFF (no power). The problem is solely within the HP printer if it decides to print out 25 blank pages on it's own with no one at home.

I thought the problem might be related to the printer responding to Wi_Fi commands which are coming from neighboring PC's not in my household, even though it shouldn't.

[Dvortex]

Hello, @TonyWPAO

Ideally, in all the cases where the printer is printing ghost pages, it comes from a PC which is connected to the PC either via the network or via cable. I have not come across an issue where a stand-alone printer printing blank sheets. Hence, let's try the steps below to further isolate the issue:

Disconnect the printer completely from the network or PC. I.s, unplug the USB cable / ethernet cable - if connected and also turn off the wireless feature on the printer. Make sure the printer is not on any network and also no cables are connected. Now, check whether the printer is printing any unwanted pages.

Thanks, I'll watch for your reply!

Please click "Accepted as Solution" on the post that solves your issue to help others find the solution. To show appreciation for my help, please click the "Thumbs Up Icon" below!

[TonyWPAO]

Unfortunately it's not the first time I have had issues with printers having a will of their own. I have another one that regularly bursts into life even when its switched off (no power switch ON and not in standby). As for the HP I wanted to rule out the possibility of Wi-Fi issues, so earlier today I had already turned off any wi-fi, as I don't use it anyway. Only time will tell if that solves the problem or it continues.

The issues with the display coming on and changing to different option screens on its own seems to have calmed down since I turned off the w-fi. But, once again only time will tell if the phantom printing problem has stopped. Thks.

[Dvortex]

Hello, @TonyWPAO

Thanks for the update!

Let me know if the issue is resolved by marking the post as a Solution. 

Thanks, I'll watch for your reply!

Please click "Accepted as Solution" on the post that solves your issue to help others find the solution. To show appreciation for my help, please click the "Thumbs Up Icon" below!