Can no longer adjust size of paper drawer. It is stuck in 8.5 x 14 position.

[DeborahInLA]

My all-in-one is probably 2 years old. All of a sudden, I can no longer push the paper drawer all the way back in. It sticks out by about 2". I can no longer adjust the length. It is 'stuck' open to the 8.5 x 14 length. Note I have never used long paper in the printer--always 8.5 x 11. It has always been easy to move it back into the proper size position. But now it's frozen in too long a position. 

[Irfan_06]

Hi @DeborahInLA,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

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

It seems like the paper drawer's adjustable slider mechanism has jammed or become obstructed, which is preventing it from retracting to the proper 8.5 x 11 position.

Here are some steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

1. Perform a power drain

1) Take out the cartridges

2) Unplug the power cord from the printer & wall.

3) Press and hold the power button down for 15 seconds and release the power button, wait for about 30 seconds.

4) Plug the power cord back into the printer and wall, ensure the printer is plugged into the wall & not into a surge protector.

5) Insert the cartridges back into the printer.

Remove the cartridges > Unplug the power cord > Wait for 30 seconds > Plug the power cord back in > Insert the cartridges

2. Check for Obstructions

• Remove the paper drawer completely from the printer.
• Inspect the interior of the drawer and the printer's paper path for any debris, such as torn paper, clips, or dirt, that might be blocking the mechanism.

3. Inspect the Slider Mechanism

• Examine the slider tabs or levers inside the drawer. These are usually plastic pieces designed to lock into different paper size positions.
• Look for any visible damage, such as cracks or misaligned parts.
• If you see debris lodged in the slider mechanism, gently remove it with tweezers or a soft cloth.

4. Gently Adjust the Slider

• With the drawer removed, try manually moving the slider back to the 8.5 x 11 position. Apply even pressure, avoiding excessive force.
• If the slider doesn't move easily, try pressing or toggling the locking tab (if present) while sliding it.

5. Reset the Drawer Alignment

• Ensure the drawer isn't misaligned. Place it on a flat surface and inspect whether any edges or parts are bent or warped.
• Realign any bent parts gently using your hands or a tool, if necessary.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

 

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a great day ahead!

Irwin6

HP Support

[DeborahInLA]

Irwin, thank you for your comprehensive checklist. While it didn't solve the problem yet, the suggestion to remove the drawer completely helped me see that the obstacle might be that the first piece attached to the 'pushing' edge can no longer slide into the chute. I don't know what it looked like before, but this is the only thing I can think of. I wasn't able to guide it back underneath, so I'm wondering if it makes sense to order a new piece? The printer itself makes dark noises when it handles paper/scans, so maybe I should wait and eventually just buy a replacement? Thanks for your thoughts. 

[Irfan_06]

Hi @DeborahInLA,

I am sorry to hear that the above steps did not help much but i do appreciate your efforts in performing the troubleshooting steps.

It seems like an issue with the printer tray as you have exhausted all the possible troubleshooting steps to fix it. We appreciate your understanding and patience.

I've sent you a private message with the instructions to get in touch with the HP phone support to assist you further. In order to access your private messages, Click the Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile Next to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it or simply click on this link

Take care and have a great day ahead!

Irwin6

HP Support