Paper too small in tray 1

[AnnGeddie]

error message: paper too small in Tray 1 (I tried auto select and Tray 2 as well). The paper in Try 1 is smaller than the size selected for the job (A3 (297x420 mm)). The job will be canceled. 

Trying to print on 11x17 paper. Tried from InDesign and from Adobe Acrobat and get same message.

[zoey7886]

@AnnGeddie, Welcome to the HP Support Community!  

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding Paper Size Error in HP Printers! 

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.  

If you encounter a paper size error when printing from Adobe InDesign or Adobe Acrobat where the printer indicates that the paper is too small, it may be due to a mismatch between the paper size loaded in the tray and the size specified in the print job settings. Follow these steps to resolve the issue:

 

Check the Loaded Paper Size:

• Ensure the paper loaded in Tray 1 matches the size specified in your print job (in this case, 11x17 inches).
• If you are using paper that is smaller than the A3 size specified for the job, the error will occur.

Adjust Paper Size Settings:

• In Adobe InDesign:
  • Go to the print settings and ensure the page size matches the loaded paper size (11x17 inches).
• In Adobe Acrobat:
  • Ensure that the document size matches the paper size in the print settings.
  • Open the file, go to File > Print, and select the correct paper size.

Printer Settings:

• On the printer’s front panel:
  • Check the paper size settings for Tray 1 to ensure it's set to 11x17 inches.
  • Navigate to the paper settings and confirm the correct size is selected.

Automatic Paper Size Detection:

• If you have Auto Select enabled and it doesn't help:
  • Manually confirm that the size specified in the driver matches the size of paper in Tray 1.  

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, 

[AnnGeddie]

Thank you. I did figure out how to quit getting the error message. Made sure all the settings were correct, then finally unplugged the machine for a minute and haven't seen the message again. Unfortunately, now I am not getting borderless printing and I was able to print borderless before. I've tried everything I know. Perhaps you have a suggestion?

[zoey7886]

@AnnGeddie, thank you for the update! I'm glad the paper size error is out of the way, though I understand how frustrating it must be to now lose borderless printing — especially when everything was working fine just the day before. Let’s try to bring back that clean, edge-to-edge print finish.

Here are a few quick troubleshooting steps to get started:

Try This First:

Check Driver & Preset Settings:
In the print dialog, make sure Borderless is not just selected but that you’ve also chosen the exact paper type and size—for example, “11x17 Borderless” or “Tabloid Borderless” rather than just “11x17”.

Printer’s Front Panel Settings:
Navigate to Settings > Paper Handling > Tray Settings, and confirm that Tray 1 or Tray 2 is set to allow borderless printing for the paper size you're using.

Try Another App:
Test a borderless print from Photos or Preview (on macOS) or Paint (on Windows) to isolate if this is app-specific or printer-related.

To help fine-tune the support, could you please answer:

What type of paper are you using (glossy, matte, plain)?

Are you printing from Mac or Windows?

When you print, do the borders appear on all four sides, or just some?

Looking forward to hearing back — we’ll get those vibrant, full-bleed prints rolling again soon!

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, 

[AnnGeddie]

Thank you Zoey7886! I think we are getting close to pinpointing the problem. In the Printer Settings for Tray 1 and Tray 2, there is no selection available for borderless. Is that a driver problem? I have HP Smart but can't figure out how to use it to see if the printer needs a driver update. The driver version is 3.0. Is there a newer one with borderless options? Other solution for this problem? 

To answer your questions: Yes, making sure I select size and borderless in computer dialog. Yes, I have tested borderless print from multiple apps including Preview. Using regular copy paper in 8.5x11 and matte 11x17. Printing from Mac. Borders appear on all four sides.

[zoey7886]

@AnnGeddie, thank you for those helpful details — we're definitely getting closer!

It sounds like the missing borderless option in Tray Settings could be tied to the driver version. The driver you're using (v3.0) may not fully support borderless features on macOS, especially for wide-format sizes like 11x17.

Here’s what I recommend:

👉 Update the Printer Driver:
You can find the latest drivers for your HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e right here:
🔗 HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e Driver Downloads

Download and install the appropriate driver for macOS, then restart your system and retry the print with the correct paper and borderless settings selected.

Once done, check if Tray 1 or Tray 2 allows borderless in the settings panel.

Let us know how it goes — we’re right here with you until you’re back to smooth, edge-to-edge prints!

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,