Officejet Pro 9020 tray 2 open but it’s not

[Prim8Pal]

A tab on my tray 2 broke off and the printer thins tray 2 is open even though it is closed and will not print. Is there a workaround without having to buy a new tray 2?

[Max3Aj · Accepted solution]

@Prim8Pal, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 
Yes, there are a couple of potential workarounds for your HP OfficeJet Pro 9020 series printer when Tray 2's sensor is falsely detecting it as open due to a broken plastic tab.

The tray open sensor relies on a small plastic tab or flag on Tray 2 to signal whether the tray is securely closed. If this tab breaks off, the printer thinks the tray is always open and will not print from it.

Workaround Options:

Simulate the Tray 2 Tab Mechanism

If you can identify where the tab used to make contact (usually near the side or back of the tray), you can simulate it manually:

• Locate the sensor switch: Look inside the printer where Tray 2 slides in. There’s typically a mechanical switch or optical sensor that the tab interacts with.
• Use tape or a piece of plastic: Insert a small piece of cardboard, plastic, or thick tape in the location where the tab would have pushed the switch.
• Trigger the switch carefully: Make sure it stays in place and doesn’t jam any moving parts.  
  
  Caution: Don’t block the tray completely or interfere with the paper feed mechanism.

Use Only Tray 1 Temporarily

If Tray 2 can’t be fixed right away:

• Remove Tray 2 entirely (if possible).
• Go to printer settings on your PC and set Tray 1 as the default tray.
• Avoid sending jobs to Tray 2 in software.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Select "Yes" on the bottom left to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[Prim8Pal]

Thanks for your reply .  Unfortunately I did not see it until now as it went to my spam folder.  I ended up fixing the problem by gluing the broken tab in place, then filling the tray with paper so the paper put enough pressure on the tab to stand up and make contact.  I also set the paper source to the main tray as you suggested.