How to load legal paper in Officejet Pro 6978

[seamist57]

I can’t figure out how to extend the tray to legal size.

Videos show a button that does not exist on my model.

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@seamist57 

Welcome to the HP Community --

According to the documentation and the specifications, the printer supports Legal Size paper.

All that said,

True -- If your printer's tray cannot be opened and loaded as illustrated in the printer's user manual, you cannot load or use Legal size paper in the printer.

No, I cannot explain why the intake paper tray in your printer is not the tray shown in the user guide.

Details / Examples

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Load Paper

User Guide

Pages 16-17

Printer - Media Specifications

Media Handling, Document Finishing	Sheetfed; ADF
Media Size (facet)	Letter; A4; Legal; B5
Media Sizes Custom (imperial)	Tray 1: 3.5 x 8.5 to 5 x 14 in
Media Sizes Custom (metric)	Tray 1: 88.9 x 127 to 215 x 355 mm
Media Types	Plain Paper, HP Photo Papers,HP Matte Brochure or Professional Paper, HP Matte Presentation Paper, HP Glossy Brochure or Professional Paper, Other Photo Inkjet Papers, Other Matte Inkjet Papers, Other Glossy Inkjet Papers, Inkjet Hagaki, Plain Paper, Thick, Plain Paper, Light/Recycled
Media Weight Recommended (imperial)	16 to 28 lb (plain paper); 60 to 75 lb (photo); 20 to 24 lb (envelope); 90 to 110 lb (card)
Media Weight Recommended (metric)	60 to 105 g/m² (plain); 220 to 280 g/m² (photo); 75 to 90 g/m² (envelope); 163 to 200 g/m² (card)
Media Weights Supported, By Paper Path (Imperial)	Plain paper: 16 to 28 lb, Bond
Media Weights Supported, By Paper Path (metric)	Plain paper: 60 to 105 g/m²

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Printer - Tray and Paper

EWS > HP Document / How-to (InkJet Printers – Classic Format)

 Use the HP printer Embedded Web Server (EWS)

NOTE:  Find printer IP address

Section Open the EWS over a local network orientation

OR

 HP Laser Printers - Using the Printer Embedded Web Server (EWS)

Open your Browser > Type / enter the Printer IP address into URL / Address bar

Reminder: 

If asked enter the printer’s PIN number –

The default PIN might be located on the back or inside the printer (ink access area).

EWS – Tray and Paper Management

Classic EWS - InkJet Printers

Open your Browser > Type / enter the Printer IP address into URL / Address bar

Tab Settings > Preferences > Tray and Paper (Management)

Select / Adjust settings for Paper Size / Type

Model and EWS version Dependent:  Advanced section

Click Apply to save changes

OR

Alternate EWS format - Select new InkJet printers and select LaserJet printers

Open your Browser > Type / enter the Printer IP address into URL / Address bar

Section Paper > Trays > click on Tray to configure

Next (as available)

Section Print > Default Print Options > Select default options / tray

General Example - EWS - Tray and Paper - Different printers / types of EWS

EWS_Tray_and_Paper_DeskJet_4

Tray and Paper – Paper Size / Paper Type / Paper Weight

Paper Size, Type, and Weight loaded in the printer tray must be supported for use in that tray.

EWS (Embedded Web Server) provides access and control for Settings, including Tray and Paper.

Reminder

HP Smart / HP App Mobile might require that paper size / type is rechecked / adjusted before the content is opened for print.

Notes

Depending on the printer model, the Printer Control Panel touchscreen might provide access to Paper Size / Type settings immediately after the paper is (re)loaded into the appropriate printer intake tray.

Newer printer?  Touchscreen Printer Control Panel locked against making changes?  Try username "admin" and the PIN located on the sticker on the inside of the front door of the printer.

Trays

• If the printer lacks a second tray, all paper / types are supported in the single available tray.
• Printers that include a Photo Tray generally restrict the paper sizes and paper type supported in that tray.

Custom size?

If your paper is a custom size, look for "Custom" in the full list of paper sizes.

Remember >> Printers with more than one tray might only support custom paper sizes and types in one tray.

If EWS does not allow setting the paper size or size “Custom”,

If the printer includes a touchscreen display printer control panel,

Look for the setting for “Custom” in the Printer Control Panel after (re)loading the paper to be used

NOTE:  Size Custom is not available for all printers

What? 

Paper Size, Type, and Weight must be appropriate for the tray in which that paper is to be used.

Depending on the printer model, Tray 1 might be used for Custom media. 

In this scenario, Tray 2 might only support Plain paper, perhaps in limited sizes.

OR

If the "Custom Paper Tray" is Tray 2, then Tray 1 might only support Plain paper / limited sizes.

Printers that include a Photo Tray generally limit the size and type of paper that the Photo Tray supports.  Example:  Depending on the printer model, the Photo Tray might support only 4x6 inch photo paper.

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Message Content References

Technology Tips - Video Gallery from our HP Expert greenturtle

 Technology Tips– YouTube Video Help for Printers

 HP Support Official Channel – HP Support Video Gallery

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References / Resources

HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources

Learn about your Printer - Solve Problems

“Things that are your printer”

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

NOTE: Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories: Warranty Check, Alerts, Troubleshooting, Ink & Paper, HP Software & Drivers / Firmware Updates, Setup & User Guides, Product Specifications, Account & Registration, Warranty & Repair

Open 

 Product Home - Printers

 Enter the device type and model name of your HP product

OR

 Select a saved product from HP Account Dashboard

OR

HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 All-in-One Printer  

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

Real people who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You for the help !

Question / Concern Answered, Click my Post "Accept as Solution"

[seamist57]

Dear Dragonfur,

Thank you so much for such a thorough answer!

I am so embarrassed to say I did not think of consulting the manual!

I had a stock of legal paper so I figured I could  print on legal paper. But I hadn’t done it for years.

The paper tray does have a button that says 8.5x14”>>, kind of a giveaway. But I could not figure out how to move it until I read the manual as you suggested.  I was afraid of breaking the plastic. 

I am in business!

Thank you again for your most thorough answer. It drives me crazy to be stuck in my tracks, especially with something that is clearly square one.

Best,

P.M.

[Dragon-Fur]

@seamist57 

You are welcome.

We are happy to play the part of your "Post-it" reminder.

Smiling.

Happy Printing.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

Real people who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You for the help !

Question / Concern Answered, Click my Post "Accept as Solution"

[seamist57]

Dear Dragonfur,

Thanks to you, I am all set to print on legal paper.

However ... printer now says one or more cartridges are damaged or missing. I checked them out and put them all back in and see nothing wrong. I just replaced the three color cartridges, brand new.

Now what? Since you seem like a generous minded soul, I hope I can prevail on you for another answer. Should I just send them back to HP and ask for replacements? Throw a fit? Go back to bed?

Please let me know.

All best,

Pat Mandell

[Dragon-Fur]

@seamist57 

You are welcome.

I have so rarely faced errors of this type over the years that my contributions is limited to parroting the Troubleshooting information available on the subject.

Category Troubleshooting

Topic Printing

Sub-topic Ink & Cartridges

Example

HP ink cartridge issues including, incompatible, missing and not recognized errors

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

Real people who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You for the help !

Question / Concern Answered, Click my Post "Accept as Solution"