Why can't I get HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e to print on card stock?

[SteveSabol]

I have had HP printers before that were able to print to 110lb 8.5x11 card stock. I select "Heavyweight Paper" from the print dialog and I have set Tray 1 to "Plain Paper, Thick" in the HP Embedded Web Server. When I print, the printer can't grab the paper and then thinks there's a paper jam.

I tried varied numbers of pages in the tray. I restarted the printer and the computer multiple times. I printed different documents from different applications on the Mac. Every time the same issue.

Switch to plain paper and it prints fine.

Is this is a busted device? I saw one other person had the exact same issue from 2024 but that thread is locked. I'd talk to tech support but I'm on the west coast and they helpfully are only available M-F until 5 PM my time and, SHOCK, I have my day job during the day. 

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @SteveSabol,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding printing on cardstock with the HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e!

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

Try these steps:

Paper Type and Tray Settings:

• Ensure the paper type selected in your print settings is compatible with cardstock. In your case, "Heavyweight Paper" should be appropriate.
• Verify that the tray settings in the HP Embedded Web Server match the type of paper being used, ensuring it is set to "Plain Paper, Thick" or an equivalent setting for cardstock.

Paper Loading:

• Check that the card stock is loaded properly in the tray. Ensure it’s aligned neatly and not overfilling the tray. It's often helpful to load less cardstock at a time.
• Ensure the paper width guides are snug against the cardstock, but not too tight, as this can prevent the printer from properly feeding the paper.

Tray Choice:

• If your printer has multiple trays, try using another tray to see if it handles cardstock better.

Paper Quality:

• Not all cardstock is created equal. If possible, try a different batch or brand of cardstock to see if the issue persists. Some cardstocks might be treated or coated differently and may affect feed performance.

Printer Cleanliness and Maintenance:

• Clean any rollers or parts of the paper path to ensure there is no dust or residue that might affect paper feeding. Sometimes debris on feed rollers can cause feeding issues.

Check Specifications:

• Verify that the cardstock fits within the printer’s specifications for weight and size. The HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e should support various weights, but extremely heavy cardstock might exceed its limits.

I hope this helps.

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Best regards,