HP LaserJet 600 M601

[beavertondental]

Hello!  Our office printer has a loud squealing noise whenever it prints.  Possible solutions?

[tonerspills]

how many prints has it run? the config report or usage page will tell you. If it's alot (150k+) it could be the fuser, you can check the supplie status page and look at the maintenance kit life remaining. is the print quality still fine? no jamming?

If it sounds like it's coming from the top back right of the machine- it's probably plastic on plastic. Can you try and isolate the noise a bit more precisely?

from the printer control menu troubleshooting/diangnostic tests/paper path test

this will allow you to run paper through the printer without runing the paper.

[SHThompson · Accepted solution]

Have you tried a different toner cartridge, that item is prone to squeal especially if you use remanufactured cartridges.

If my post resolves your issue please click the accepted as solution button under it. To thank a technician for a post click the thumbs up button under the post. You can even click both buttons. < g>

[beavertondental]

The squealing stopped for about a day with a new toner cartridge in it.  But started again the very next day.  The sound seems to be eminating from the roller itself.  We have tried cleaning out the components with forced air, as well as lubricating the roller-with no result.

[tonerspills]

It tough to troubleshoot a sound, and printer techs just love squeaks and squeals! If you look at the top right side of the printer where the paper comes out- you should see a couple of black rollers/ roller arms, look to the right side of those and inside the machine you'll see white bushings that hold those roller arms. You can try and add a little oil to those and see if it helps, the squeak may go away- but you'd probably have to replace them for a more permanent fix. You can also see one of these rollers on the back side of the machine- if you open the rear door and remove and look on the left side- you'll see the black roller arm and white "bushing" or "keeper" that holds it.  Be sure to unplug the machine and take the cartridge out if your going to be laying the printer on it's side so the oil can seep into those components- and I'd only recommend a drop or 2.

If it's more of a grinding sound, then the fuser gears are probably worn or the fuser itself has come loose and just needs to be clicked back into place. You can take out the fuser and inspect the area around the main drive gear- if there's a pile of dust under the main drive gear inside the printer- or if it's covered with grease, clean it off and reinstall the fuser making sure both sides click.

You always have to be careful using oil or grease to try and stop a noise, because if it gets in the paper path, then it can take along time to clean or if it gets on a component that not supposed to have oil or grease on it- you can damage the component (like the fuser drive gear)

Other than that, it could be any one of a number of things- If the printer is out of warranty- you'll have to just live with the sound or put in a service call for a printer tech to take a look at it. Sorry I couldn't be more help. Don't try to make any repairs you aren't corfortable with- I've had squeaks go away just from laying pritners on their side before, and then when they were placed back upright the noise was gone. There are just so many gears and what not that can get loose or dry- best of luck

[tonerspills]

Here's a good example of the high pitched squeak from the "paper delivery system". This is the black roller arm with white bushing components I was talking about- see/hear this all the time in the field.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLaYrSbL6WY

If the squeak is more muted and sounds like it's coming from inside the printer, then it's more than likely something to do with the "drum drive assembly".

Either way, you'd probably need a printer tech to test or replace those compents. I'd post pics from the service manual so you could have a better idea of those parts I'm talking about, but i'm not sure if thats allowed. A google search should net you some examples to see.

[SHThompson]

I had one customer with an M600 series machine complaining about a squeak. I was actually able to go visit them right away and before I got there the squeak stopped. I ordered the delivery assembly and waited a couple weeks before I went back and replaced it but they never had the sound come back after my first visit.

I had been assuming it was probably a toner cartridge problem but it looks like I actually fixed it when I replaced the delivery assembly.

[SD-86]

I am late to this post but wanted to comment.

The noise that is heard in the video below, is caused by the Face Up Tray Assy ( RM1-8388).  The best way to isolate this is by opening the Face Up Tray Assy and printing.  If the noise is not heard with the F/U tray open, then that part is the source of the squeak noise.  The squeak is coming from one or more of the plasitc idler rollers on the F/U tray itself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLaYrSbL6WY

There is a way to resolve this without replacing the Face Up Tray Assy by applying a viscous grease or dry lubricant that is compatible with the LaserJet plasitcs. 

Hope this helps,

Dave

I work for HP

[Laserman000]

1 it can be the toner 

2 or the PU rollers wipe clean with lint free towel or clean with roller cleaner. 

3 it can be the paper out put ...print a test paper and see where it comes from 

[M603Squeak]

This answer is specifically for the M603 printer.  We have many around our Firm.   About 8 of them have developed a squeak when printing.   Loud, annoying, drive you crazy squeaks.   All have been successfully silenced in the same way.   Remove the duplexer and rear panel.  Grease the axels of the 2 black rollers.  Note: You might need to flex the plastic panel and seaparate the 2 pieces for best access to the rollers axel tips.