"Jam in tray 3" but there is no tray 3

[mfgreene]

My Laserjet Pro Color M451dn has been running without any paper jams or any other problems for months.  Recently on a routine print command I received the following error message: "Jam in tray 3".  This is puzzling for two reasons: 1) I do not have a "tray 3" and 2) there is no paper jam to be found anywhere in the machine.

I have not installed any new new software or drivers or hardware in recent months.  The only changes have been the automatic Windows 10 updates.  

Yes, I am certain that there is no tray 3.  I have the manual feed "tray 1" and the standard "tray 2" which has a  large number 2 molded on it.

I get the error message whether printing from tray 1 or tray 2.  Once in a while I am surprised by being able to print a single page after rebooting the printer but any attempt to print another page results in the error message.

 I noticed that a couple of other people have reported this same problem in this forum but I do not see any solutions.  I am at a loss for anything else to try. 

[Devon_S]

Hello mfgreene,

Have you tried the NVRAM reset as listed in the other posts? If not I can post the steps here.

[mfgreene · Accepted solution]

I tried the NVRAM reset but it did not help.  I also tried updating the printer software and firmware to no avail. 

However, one of the experts on this forum, davidzuts, pointed me in the right direction.  He concluded that the likely culprit was a DC Controler that had gone bad.  He suggested searching ebay for a DC Controller and doing a Google search to locate and download the printer Service Manual.  

I purchased a DC Controller printed circuit board for less than $25 including shipping.  If you are going to do the repair yourself you will definitely want the service manual.  There are several layers of covers that have to be removed in order to get at the DC Controller.  

The DC Controller was the problem.  The printer is now working perfectly.

[timthetoolguy]

I replaced the controller board in my HP LaserJet Pro 300 color MFP M375nw, but I still have the same issue.  Jam in tray 3 as soon as the printer starts up and I am unable to print anything from the tray 1 or tray 2.  

[mfgreene]

Alas, my printer worked great for severeal weeks after replacing the DC Controller board but then the problem returned.  I concluded that there was something going on in my machine that was damaging the Controller so I did not replace the board again.  I gave up and bought a new printer.

[Jepege_gage]

i have I've found a solution, try checking the paper sensor at the bottom of the printer on the back, when the paper from tray 3 goes up, the sensor will detect the paper going into the printer. the sensor is in trouble. and I've succeeded, I'm a printer technician

[frank_clonske]

After replacing the DC controller and still getting the Jam in tray 3 error with no tray 3 , in my case I found it was the sensor

at the slit in the bottom/rear of the printer where paper from tray 3 would enter the printer that caused the fault.

Unfortunately the sensor does not seem to be available in part surfer. I was able to replace the sensor , in my case , with one from a scrap fuser from the LJ pro 400 color M451 printer. Also it is a bit tricky getting at the sensor . I think the sensor

is part of the cassette 2 pickup assembly

[Tyro1]

Do you know the part number and where I can buy it?

[frank_clonske]

hello Tyro1

  I cannot find a part number for The sensor I had taken from the fuser unit to replace the faulty one.

It is possible hp part number WG8-5696 may do as a replacement. Could you let us know if it works.

If you have not done this before , it is probably best to spend the extra time freeing the tray 2 pickup

assembly from the machine but beforehand open the rear door and take note of position of springs

if things go slightly wrong for you. It is possible to get at the faulty sensor by removing the metal plate

around the bottom slit for tray 3 but agin take note when releasing the plate as it can be a bit tricky

putting things back together

[Pitcher]

I have a jam in tray 3, without having a tray 3.  My printer is an HP Laser Jet 300 Color MFP.  I tried feeding a thicker photo print through the upper tray and it jamed.  Once I pulled it out, this error messege comes up...

"Jam in tray 3, clear Jam and press (OK)"