Fake Output Tray message

[Ashutosh-Dubey]

My printer was working fine a few days ago,  but now it shows the message to open the output tray while it's already open. I have tried the video help provided, but nothing worked. Please help.

[Drakster · Accepted solution]

Hi @Ashutosh-Dubey,

Welcome to the HP Support Forums!

I see that your HP Deskjet Ink Advantage 1510 Printer is giving you a false output tray error message. I will certainly do my best to help you.

I would do a Hard Reset to see if that will resolve the issue.

• Leave the printer on and unplug the power cable from the printer and wall outlet for 60 seconds.
• Then reconnect the power cable to the printer and wall outlet rather than a surge protector. This ensures the printer is receiving full power and may help this situation.
• Make sure the printer is connected directly to a wall outlet. (don't use a power hub or a surge protector) This ensures the printer is receiving full power and may help this situation.

Are you seeing blinking lights on the printer? Which ones?

Important! Please perform the steps below from start to finish, even if it may seem irrelevant to you.  We need to find the root cause of the false message and this document should help.

Issue: The Attention light is blinking

In this error condition, the following control panel light pattern displays:

• Power light: On
• Attention light: Blinking
• Check color cartridge light: Off
• Check black cartridge light: Off

Figure : Control panel with lights indicated

• Causes
  • The output tray is closed
  • The paper tray is empty.
  • A paper jam has occurred.
  • A scanning error has occurred.

Solution one: Lower the output tray

1. Lower the output tray.
   Figure : Lower the output tray

   
2. Pull out the tray extender.
   Figure : Pull out the tray extender

   
3. Check the printer control panel for blinking lights.

• If these steps resolved the issue, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
• If the issue persists, continue to the next solution.

Solution two: Load paper

Follow these steps to load more paper, or to reload the existing paper stack into the paper tray.

1. Raise the input tray.
   Figure : Raise the input tray

   
2. Lower the output tray.
   Figure : Lower the output tray

   
3. Pull out the tray extender.
   Figure : Pull out the tray extender

   
4. Load a stack of U.S. Letter or A4 paper into the input tray with the short edge forward and the print side up. Push the stack into the tray until it stops.
   Figure : Load the paper into the input tray

   
5. Slide the paper width guide inward until it rests against the edge of the paper.
   Figure : Slide the paper width guide inward

   

• If these steps resolved the issue, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
• If the issue persists, continue to the next solution.

Solution three: Clear any jammed paper from the printer

Follow these solutions in the order presented to clear a paper jam.

Video of clearing a paper jam

The following video demonstrates how to clear a paper jam.

 NOTE: This video shows the HP Deskjet 1510 e-All-in-One printer, but the steps are the same for your printer.

If you have trouble viewing the video or to view the video in a different size, click here to play the video on YouTube.

Step one: Reset the printer

Sometimes a paper jam error persists even though there is no jammed paper (false paper jam). Follow these steps to reset the printer, which will clear a false paper jam error, and then print a test page.

1. Press the Power button () to turn on the product.
2. With the product turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the product.
3. Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
4. Wait at least 15 seconds.
5. Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet.
6. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the product.
7. If the product does not turn on by itself, press the Power button () to turn it on.

Step two: Print a Printer Status Report 

Follow these steps to print a test page.

1. Load clean, white U.S. Letter or A4 paper in the input tray, if necessary.
2. Press and hold the Power button. While holding down the Power button, press and hold the Cancel button. Hold them both down for 2 or 3 seconds.
   The test page prints.
   Figure : Press and hold the Power and Cancel button

   

   1. Power button
   2. Cancel button

• If these steps resolved the issue, there is no need to continue troubleshooting.
• If the issue persists, see the next step.

Step three: Clear any jammed paper from the input tray

1. Pull the paper gently out of the input tray to remove the paper jam.
   Figure : Remove the paper jam from the input tray

   
2. Gently remove any jammed paper and bits of torn paper from the tray. To avoid tearing any whole sheets of paper, pull the paper with both hands.

    NOTE:

   Use a flashlight to thoroughly check for torn pieces of paper that might remain inside the tray. If any torn pieces of paper remain inside the printer, more jams are likely to occur.

Step four: Clear any jammed paper from the output tray

1. Locate the output tray in the front of the printer.
2. Gently remove any jammed paper and bits of torn paper from the tray. To avoid tearing any whole sheets of paper, pull the paper with both hands.
   Figure : Gently pull the paper out of the tray

   

    NOTE: Use a flashlight to thoroughly check for torn pieces of paper that might remain inside the tray. If any torn pieces of paper remain inside the printer, more jams are likely to occur.

Step five: Remove any loose paper, debris, or foreign objects from the trays

1. Press the Power button to turn off the printer.
2. Disconnect the USB cable from the rear of the printer.
3. Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.

    WARNING: You must disconnect the power cord before you reach inside the HP printer to avoid risk of injuries or electric shock.

4. Remove any loose sheets of paper from the input tray.
5. Look inside the input tray, and then remove any foreign materials such as paper clips, debris, or other objects that might have fallen inside.

    NOTE: You might need a flashlight to illuminate the area.

   Figure : Look inside the input tray and remove any foreign objects or debris

   
6. Use your fingers to move the pick mechanism located inside the input tray, and then remove any foreign objects or debris.
   Figure : Move the pick mechanism inside the input tray and remove any foreign objects

   

    CAUTION: Make sure that there are no foreign materials that remain inside the input tray as this could result in further paper jams or damage to the printer.

7. If you do not see any debris, tilt the printer on its back, move the pick mechanism, and then remove any foreign objects. Debris might fall out of the printer.
   Figure : Tilt the printer on its back to remove any debris

   
8. If debris does not fall out, look inside the input tray, and then remove any foreign materials such as paper clips or other objects that might have fallen inside.
9. Return the printer to its normal position.
10. Remove any loose sheets of paper or foreign material from the output tray.
    Figure : Remove any loose paper from the output tray

    

Step six: Clear any jammed paper from the cartridge access area

1. Press the Power button to turn off the printer if it is not off already.
2. Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer if it is not disconnected already.

    WARNING: You must disconnect the power cord before reaching inside the HP printer to avoid risk of injuries or electric shock.

3. Open the cartridge access door.
   Figure : Open the cartridge access door

   
4. Gently remove any jammed paper from inside the printer.
   Figure : Remove jammed paper from inside the printer

   
5. Close the cartridge access door.

Step seven: Clear any jammed paper from underneath the printer

1. Disconnect the USB cable from the rear of the printer.
2. Turn the printer so that you can access its underside (base).

    CAUTION: Before turning the printer, use your hand to secure the scanner lid.

3. Press in the tabs on either side of the cleanout door to open it.
   Figure : Open the cleanout door on the base of the printer

   
4. Gently remove any jammed paper from inside the printer.

    NOTE: Use a flashlight to thoroughly check for torn pieces of paper that might remain inside the printer. If any torn pieces of paper remain inside the printer, more jams are likely to occur.

   Figure : Remove jammed paper from inside the printer

   
5. Reattach the cleanout door. Gently push the door forward until it snaps into place.
   Figure : Reattach the cleanout door

   
6. Turn the printer over to its normal position.
7. Open the cartridge access door, and then look inside the printer for any loose objects that might have shifted when the printer was turned over. Remove any loose objects found.
8. Close the cartridge access door.
9. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.
10. Press the Power button to turn on the printer.

Step eight: Print a Printer Status Report

Print a test page to make sure that the hardware functions correctly.

How to print a test page

• If these steps resolved the issue, there is no need to continue troubleshooting.
• If the issue persists, see the next step.

Step nine: Make sure that the carriage can move freely

Follow these steps to make sure that the carriage moves freely across the width of the printer.

1. If the printer is not turned on, press the Power button to turn it on.
2. Open the cartridge access door. The carriage moves to the center of the printer. Wait until the carriage is idle and silent before continuing.
   Figure : Open the cartridge access door

   
3. With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.
4. Unplug the power cord from the power source or electrical outlet.

    WARNING: You must unplug the power cord to move the carriage by hand and reset the paper feed mechanism without the risk of electrical shock.

5. Check for any paper or objects that might be restricting the carriage, and then remove any paper or objects that you find.

    CAUTION: If the paper tears when you remove it from the rollers, check the rollers and wheels for torn pieces of paper that might remain inside the printer. If pieces of paper remain in the printer, more paper jams can occur.

6. Reach inside the printer through the cartridge access door, and then manually move the carriage.
   • If the carriage is stuck on the right side of the printer, move the carriage to the left side of the printer.
   • If the carriage is stuck on the left side of the printer, move the carriage to the right side of the printer.
   • If the carriage is stuck in the middle of the printer, move the carriage to the right side of the printer.
7. Remove any loose paper or obstructions found.
8. Make sure that the carriage can move freely across the width of the printer. Firmly push the carriage to the left side of the printer, and then to the right side.
9. Close the cartridge access door.
   Figure : Close the cartridge access door

   
10. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.
11. Plug the power cord back into the power source or electrical outlet.
12. Press the Power button to turn on the printer.

Step ten: Print a Printer Status Report

Print a test page to make sure that the hardware functions correctly.

How to print a test page

• If these steps resolved the issue, there is no need to continue troubleshooting.
• If the issue persists, see the next step.

Step eleven: Clean the paper rollers inside the cartridge access area

Dust, paper fiber, and other debris might accumulate on the paper feed rollers and cause paper jams and paper feed issues. Follow these steps to clean the paper feed rollers.

1. Gather the following materials:
   • A long, lint-free cotton swab
   • Distilled, filtered, or bottled water (tap water might damage the product)
2. Press the Power button () to turn off the product.
3. Disconnect the power cord from the back of the product.
4. Raise the input tray.
   Figure : Raise the input tray

   
5. Look down through the open input tray and find the gray paper pick rollers. You might need a flashlight to illuminate the area.
   Figure : Paper pick rollers

   
6. Dampen a long cotton swab with bottled or distilled water, and then squeeze any excess water from the cloth.
7. Press the swab against the rollers and rotate them upward with your fingers. Apply a moderate amount of pressure to remove dust or dirt buildup.
8. Allow the rollers to dry for 10 or 15 minutes.
9. Reconnect the power cord to the back of the product.
10. If the HP product does not turn on, press the Power button ().

Step twelve: Print a Printer Status Report

Print a test page to make sure that the hardware functions correctly.

How to print a test page

• If these steps resolved the issue, and the test page prints, there is no need to continue troubleshooting. Reconnect the USB cable, and then try to print again.
• If the test page prints successfully, but you continue to experience an issue with your printer, then the issue is not related to the hardware.
  • Experiencing another issue?
• If the printer does not print a test page, there is an issue with the printer hardware. 

Contacting HP for service in all countries/regions except Asia Pacific.
First, go to Check your product warranty to check your printer warranty status, and then go to Contact HP Support to find an authorized service dealer or to schedule a repair.
What you can do, is use the following link to create yourself a case number, then call and it may help speed up the call process:
Step 1. Open link: www.hp.com/contacthp/
Step 2. Enter Product number or select to auto detect
Step 3. Scroll down to "Still need help? Complete the form to select your
contact options"
Step 4. Scroll down and click on: HP contact options - click on Get phone
number
Case number and phone number appear.

I hope this helps. Good Luck! 🙂