HP Color Laser Jet Pro MFP M283fdw will not print to envelopes

[Wissmann]

I have an HP Color Laser Jet Pro MFP M283fdw. I want to print to a half-letter-size envelope (5.5"x8.5"). It keeps printing blank envelopes. Every time it tries to print, it needs to run a clean. It's like the printer keeps missing the paper. Why?

I'm running Mac OS 15 and using Affinity Publisher, but if I use word processors or anything else it won't work, either. I've tried different page and paper setups in the software and printer.

If I replace the envelopes with letter-sized paper, it prints just fine. I'm printing from tray 2—tray one just jams as soon as I feed in the envelopes. I wonder if the printer is choking when I adjust the guides in the paper tray?

Any ideas?

[Wissmann]

And yes, I tried printing in landscape, portrait, and automatic modes with the same results.

[Nal_NR]

Hi @Wissmann,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd be glad to help you! 

I'm sorry you're having such a challenging time printing envelopes with your HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw. Let’s work together to address the issue and find a solution for seamless envelope printing.

• Have you selected the correct paper size and type (e.g., envelope) in both the print settings on your Mac and the printer's control panel?
• Are the envelope flaps flat, and are you loading them according to the printer's recommendations (orientation and position)?
• Have you tried using different envelopes to rule out compatibility issues with the specific stock?

Let's try these steps. 

Confirm Print Settings on Your Mac:

• In Affinity Publisher or other software, set the paper size to the exact envelope dimensions (5.5"x8.5").
• Go to File > Print, click Show Details, and select the appropriate Media Type (e.g., Envelope) under the paper type or quality settings.
• Ensure the correct tray (Tray 2) is selected for envelope feeding.

Adjust Printer Settings:

• On the printer's control panel, navigate to Settings > Paper Handling > Tray 2 > Paper Size and set it to Custom Size or Envelope.
• For the Paper Type, ensure it is set to Envelope to prevent feed issues.

Check the Envelope Orientation and Guides:

• Ensure envelopes are loaded with the flaps closed and facing up/down as recommended by the manual.
• Adjust the paper guides snugly around the envelopes without pressing too tightly, as misaligned guides can cause feed issues.

Test Printing from Tray 1 (Multipurpose Tray):

• Cleanly align the envelopes and load them into Tray 1, ensuring the paper guides are set for the envelope size.
• In the print settings, select Tray 1 as the paper source. This tray is generally better suited for non-standard media like envelopes.

Run a Printer Maintenance Cycle:

• Perform a cleaning cycle through the printer's control panel. This can help remove any debris that might be causing feed or print issues.
• After cleaning, print a test page with plain paper to ensure the printheads are functioning properly.

If the printer still does not handle envelopes correctly, it might be worth checking for firmware updates for the HP M283fdw and ensuring you’re using the latest macOS drivers for your printer.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance

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

[ChrisWissmann]

Nope! It continues to print blank envelopes. It's like it's printing to pieces of an envelope that I'm not feeding into the printer, because it runs a cleaning cycle after every attempt to print.

They'll only fit into the printer in one direction—they're actually 5.75"x8.75".

Again, whether I print to landscape or portrait, it's coming through blank. When I print to standard letter paper, the files will print just fine.

[ChrisWissmann]

Also, it seems to think I'm printing across multiple envelopes. If I send one print to the printer, it wants to run several envelopes through, one after another, like it's a tiled print that I'd paste together into one big print.

[ChrisWissmann]

Photocopying doesn't work, either.

[Nal_NR]

Hi @ChrisWissmann ,

We apologize for the inconvenience. The issue seems to persist even after attempting the troubleshooting steps mentioned above.

This might require one-on-one interaction via remote assistance to fix the issue over the phone. 

I've sent you a private message with further instructions. In order to access your private messages, click the private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your profile Name or simply click on this link.

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the Accepted Solution button, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!