printer reads as paper jam no evidence of paper, jams tried the usual remedies

[Beljoy]

Frankly I think my    printer is under someone's remote control. My printer shows "Direct HP Envy. Anyway I tried to print a simple form  a  nd suddenly I get message of paper jam. II checked on 3 locations where possible jam could exist and nothing.

Yes, I did a restart, and unpluged printer from outlet and unattached connective cord. Yes, I have printer in a wall outlet. Tried getting the IP number and it kept blinking it out.  Don't know what else to    do, I'm don't know much about technoglogy. VBirtual Assistant could not help and darn if I can get support (correct) number!

[damon64]

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@Beljoy why cat meowswrote:

Frankly I think my    printer is under someone's remote control. My printer shows "Direct HP Envy. Anyway I tried to print a simple form  a  nd suddenly I get message of paper jam. II checked on 3 locations where possible jam could exist and nothing.

Yes, I did a restart, and unpluged printer from outlet and unattached connective cord. Yes, I have printer in a wall outlet. Tried getting the IP number and it kept blinking it out.  Don't know what else to    do, I'm don't know much about technoglogy. VBirtual Assistant could not help and darn if I can get support (correct) number!

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Your "Direct HP Envy" message is just the printer's Wi-Fi Direct feature, not remote control. For the "paper jam" error with no jam, try a **thorough 60-second power cycle** (unplug from both printer and wall), **carefully inspect all internal areas with a flashlight** for tiny debris, **clean the paper rollers**, ensure paper is loaded correctly, or perform a **factory reset** via the printer's menu. For HP support, visit their official website and provide your printer model or serial number.

[YourITBuddy]

It sounds like you're dealing with a frustrating combination of printer issues, Beljoy! Let's try to tackle these one by one.

The "Direct HP Envy" message likely refers to HP Wireless Direct (or Wi-Fi Direct). This is a feature that allows your computer or mobile devices to connect directly to the printer without needing to go through your Wi-Fi router.1 It essentially creates a private Wi-Fi network for your printer. While this allows for direct printing, it doesn't inherently mean someone else is controlling your printer, though it's a point we can address.

Here’s what we can do:

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Addressing the "Remote Control" Concern & Wi-Fi Direct

HP Wireless Direct is a standard feature. If you're not intentionally using it, or if you're concerned about unauthorized access, you can usually disable it through the printer's control panel or its Embedded Web Server (EWS), which you access via its IP address.2 However, since you're having trouble getting the IP address, we'll circle back to this.

For now, let's focus on the paper jam and getting basic connectivity sorted.

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Tackling the False Paper Jam Message giấy

Even if you don't see a paper jam, tiny pieces of paper, dust, or even a slightly misaligned mechanism can trigger this error. Let's try a more thorough check:

1. Power Down Completely:

   • Turn the printer off using the power button.
   • Unplug the power cord from both the printer and the wall outlet.
   • Disconnect any USB cables.
   • Press and hold the printer's power button for about 30 seconds while it's unplugged. This helps discharge any residual electricity.
   • Leave it unplugged for at least 2-3 minutes.

2. Thorough Inspection (with a flashlight 🔦😞

   • Input Tray: Remove all paper. Look inside for any foreign objects or small, torn pieces of paper. Check the paper path rollers for debris.
   • Output Tray: Check where the paper comes out.
   • Access Doors: Open all access doors. On the HP Envy Inspire 7258e, this typically includes the main lid (scanner area) and potentially a rear access door or a door on the bottom (you might need to carefully turn the printer on its side – place it on a soft cloth).
   • Carriage Path: Look at the path where the ink cartridge carriage moves. Make sure it can move freely from side to side (don't force it if it's locked). Sometimes a small piece of paper can get lodged here.
   • Duplexer (if applicable): If your printer has a duplexer for double-sided printing (often at the back or bottom), remove it and check inside.

3. Clean the Rollers:

   • Use a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with distilled water (or a specialized roller cleaner).3
   • Gently wipe the rubber pickup rollers you can access. Make sure they are dry before reloading paper.

4. Reset and Reconnect:

   • Plug the power cord directly into a wall outlet (as you've done, which is good!) and then into the printer.4 Avoid using extension cords or surge protectors for now, just for testing.
   • Turn the printer on.
   • Listen for any unusual noises during startup.

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Finding the Printer's IP Address 🌐

The blinking IP address is problematic. Here are a few ways to try and find it:

• Print a Network Configuration Page:

  • On the printer's control panel, navigate through the Settings or Network Setup menu.
  • Look for an option like "Print Network Configuration Page," "Wireless Test Report," or "Network Summary." This report should list the IP address if the printer is connected to your network.

• From Your Router:

  • If your printer is (or was) connected to your Wi-Fi network, you can often find a list of connected devices by logging into your router's configuration page. This usually involves typing the router's IP address (commonly 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into a web browser.5 The router's manual or a label on the router itself will have this info. Look for a "DHCP client list" or "connected devices" section.

• From Your Computer (if previously connected):

  • Windows: Open Command Prompt and type arp -a. Look through the list for an entry that might be your printer (you might recognize the MAC address if it's printed on a label on the printer).
  • Mac: Open Terminal and type arp -a.

If the IP address continues to blink or is unstable, it could indicate a deeper network connectivity issue with the printer itself.

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Getting HP Support 📞

It can indeed be tricky to find the right support number. The best way to get official HP support is to go through their website.

1. Go to the HP Support website: https://support.hp.com
2. Enter your printer model: HP Envy Inspire 7258e All-in-One Printer
3. You should find troubleshooting guides, software and driver downloads, and options to contact HP. Look for "Contact HP" or "Get Support." You might need to sign in with an HP account or enter your printer's serial number.

Due to your location, ensure you are on the correct regional HP site for appropriate contact options.

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What to Do Next

1. Focus on the paper jam error first. Perform the thorough checks and cleaning.
2. If the paper jam error clears, try printing a Network Configuration Page from the printer's control panel.
3. If you get an IP address, you can try accessing the printer's Embedded Web Server (EWS) by typing that IP address into a web browser on a computer connected to the same network.6 From the EWS, you can check network settings, disable HP Wireless Direct if you wish, and perform other diagnostics.7
4. If the blinking IP address or paper jam persists, contacting HP Support directly is your best bet, as there might be a hardware issue.

I know this is a lot of information, especially when you're not comfortable with technology. Take it one step at a time. If one step doesn't work, try the next. Good luck, Beljoy!