Printer won't print and says output tray is full, even when there is one sheet or zero sheets.

[SoCalJT]

Printer won't print and says output tray is full, even when there is one sheet or zero sheets.

[Rachel571 · Accepted solution]

Hi @SoCalJT,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds like your printer is experiencing an issue with its sensor or a related component that detects the paper in the output tray. Here are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and hopefully resolve the issue:

Check for Obstructions: Look in the output tray and around the sensor area for any small pieces of paper or debris that might be causing the sensor to falsely detect a full tray. Even a small piece of torn paper or dust can trigger the sensor.

Clean the Sensor: The sensor in the output tray could be dirty. Carefully clean the sensor with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid using wet or harsh cleaning agents as they could damage the printer.

Reset the Printer: Turn off the printer, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on. This can sometimes reset the sensor and clear any errors.

Check Sensor Placement: Make sure the sensor hasn’t been dislodged or isn’t misaligned. This can happen with printers that are frequently moved or bumped.

Adjust the Tray: Sometimes the output tray might not be correctly positioned or might be slightly bent or damaged. Adjust the tray to ensure it's correctly aligned with the sensor.

Firmware Update: Check the HP  website for firmware updates for your printer model. An update could potentially fix a bug that is causing the sensor to malfunction.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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

Rachel571

HP Support