HP Envy 5540 False Paper Jam

[blodgett]

Hello, my HP Envy 5540 will not print. The issue seems to be that it will no longer load paper. Tray is full, it makes all the sounds of starting the job but then says there is a paper jam, but there is no paper jam. For a while, I was able to try multiple times and eventually get a successful print job, but now it never works. 

I have followed all steps in this support article multiple times to no effect: https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c04348351. The printer is out of warranty and I'm out of patience but I would much prefer to find a fix or get it repaired then to replace it. It seems impossible to reach anyone via phone or chat for assistance, so trying here. Help?

Thank you

[roze21]

I have the same issue for last 2-3 weeks and suddenly see many here. I initially got printer to print. Between it saying paper jam error. Now it continually says paper jam error when I know nothing is in there. Since printer is online I wonder if an update was sent to al 5540 printers to stop working. Maybe they just don’t want to make 62 ink cartridges anymore.  I refuse to buy another printer! mine is basically new! I am on an ink subscription. I tried everything and there is NO paper jam. I never had one ever with this printer. I never had stuck paper. I inspected it I opened it. Restarted it, I did everything I could find and still get false paper jam. I will not buy another printer. I don’t even see black models this sleek. They are white or bulky. What is this planned obsolescence? It was working perfectly. 

[shan68]

I have also had the VERY same problem occur. With all the same issues and am on an ink plan- which is frustrating cause i can't print anything and am paying monthly for ink that i cannot use! 

[roze21]

ATTENTION! I spent $42, $32, and another $45, to discover it was the PAPER. 

I had ordered 1500 sheet 20lb Staples “Copy” paper. It is very thin and transparent. By far the thinnest paper I ever used to print with. This is what must have caused the false paper jam. The printer could not pickup this cheap thin paper. I tried printing on 60lb cardstock $28, and it took a few tries and finally was being accepted into printer. I did alignment, cleaned heads, the other cleaning function. I tested 20lb paper again just incase, and it was crumpling and ink smearing. It DID NOT LIKE 20lb paper. But I used it previously for years but multi purpose paper and it was thicker! No way it was this thin.  

Bought HP 24lb paper 96 brightness $20.29 plus taxes and Staples 24 lb 96 brightness at $15.79 plus taxes. 

I looked at BOTH packages side by side and the HP stacked a little more (1/4” thick) compared to Staples! so Staples brand must be lying about paper thickness and are skimping out on quality and have doubled prices!!!

I still used it and initially the printer was printing off center, smearing but I realigned and cleaned rollers, and like magic the 24lb paper is suddenly working.

MIND YOU this thickness is what I always had! even thicker 28lbs so what is going on with paper weights? THEY are lying. I weighed the paper too and it did not match. HP and Staples, 500 sheet 24lb paper was different weights on scale. Makes no sense.

So my final thoughts, YOUR PAPER could be messing up the printer and the companies are selling us 20 lb ( which is more like 15lb), and 24lb as the more premium now instead of regular. They shifted quality and printers don’t like it!

Don’t spend this much money like I did. Just settle for whatever 24lb paper minimum you can get. If your sheet is see through and you can see text through it, DO NOT PUT IT IN YOUR PRINTER. Except if you have a parchment or vellum which are transparent but can be over 20lb. 

Let me know if this helps anyone out! I hope it does! 

[Anand_Andy]

Hi @blodgett,

Welcome to the HP Support Community

I understand you are facing an issue with your HP ENVY 5540 All-In-One Printer. Not to worry I will help you to get a resolution to resolve the issue.

To assist better:

• Does the copy work fine?
• What application are you trying to print from?
• Have you tried printing from any other application or device?

While you respond to that, Let's perform a power drain: 

• With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer and also unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
• Remove USB cable, if present.
• Wait for 2-3 minutes, press and hold the power button on your printer for about 30 seconds to remove any additional charge.
• Now plug back the power cable straight to a wall outlet without any surge protector or an extension cord (This is important) and then plug back the power cord to the printer.
• Turn on the printer and wait till warm-up period finishes and the printer is idle

Update the printer firmware & macOS:

• Click here to download and install the latest printer firmware from your product
• Click here to know different methods of updating printer firmware.
• Update software on Mac 

If the issue persists, then please follow the steps mentioned in this document: HP DeskJet, ENVY 5540, 5640, 5660 Printers - 'Out of Paper' Displays and Printer Does Not Pick Paper

Add the printer using Apple AirPrint drivers.

1.) Click the Apple menu, click System Preferences, and then click Print & Scan or Printers & Scanners.

2.) Check if your printer name displays in the Printers list, If your printer is listed, click the printer name, click the minus sign to delete the printer.

3.) If you see multiple printer queues for the same printer, remove all extra printers by selecting them one at a time, and then clicking the minus button at the bottom of the list.

4.) Click the plus sign click Add Printer or Scanner, click the printer name.

5.) Click the Use or Print Using menu, select AirPrint in the pop-up menu. Then click Add.

6.) Try to print.

I hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!