hp4500 loud clicking noise

[mrstar]

My HP4500 wireless printer has a very loud clicking noise, like a machine gun, just as it's about to print.  When it starts printing, the clicking stops and the printing is fine.  However, even though it prints for now, what can I do for the noise to stop.  This all started when I gently replaced the color ink cartridge last week.  I've only had this printer since Feb. 2012, and it should not be doing this.  My last HP printer, 7410 wireless, lasted for 7 years.  If you don't have a $0 cost fix for this, I will invest my $ on a different brand.

[garytech1]

Hi Mrstar,

I understand that your printer is making noise.  I would take a look at the document below.

Noisy Printer

Let me know how it goes.

[trault]

Thank you for the link, but this troubleshooting guidge is for noise during the printing process.  

HP Deskjet Printers - Cleaning and Maintaining the Printer http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/bud09248

HP All-in-One and Fax Product Family - Cleaning the All-in-One http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/buu01831

My loud clicking noise (like a michine gun) sounds like gear two gears one trying to move and the other not moving.  It sounds like teeth of the one grinding against the other.  

Any help?

[Cheetah12]

Hello trault.

I understand your concerns that your printer is making very loud clicking noises. I think that document that was provided to you is an excellent guide to get you started. The key steps is to make sure you have cleaned the rollers at the back of the printer.

Another contributing factor could be paper or different objects, stuck in the printer. It can cause this clicking noise. Please try these steps: Carriage Jam. Also pay close attention to step three in this HP document because paper can get stuck on the side(s) of the carriage.

Please inform me how the progress goes.

Ashley

[trault]

Neither the clean rollers nor the carriage jam procedures fixed my problem. Mike

[Cheetah12]

Thank you for response. Unfortunately, at this point you would have to replace this printer since you are still hearing loud clicking noises. Please contact HP technical support line and they can assist you. Please click here for you location: Hp Contact Worldwide.

Ashley 

[trault]

POS hp product. I'll never buy another.

[filmfan]

Has HP done anything to correct this issue in newer model printers? My 3-year-old 4500 has developed the machine gun noise before printing, and none of the suggested fixes works. Most frustrating is that the printer still prints perfectly well, but the pre-print noise is intolerably loud. I will probably have to purchase a new printer, but without assurances that the issue has been addressed in new models, I am not inclined to purchase another HP printer.

[trault]

My printer eventually died. I ended up replacing it with a Brother Inc. I'm sad to see HP turn their backs on their customers. I had an Inkjet 520 back in the day. It had a problem with the paper pickup rollers. I didn't have to complain. HP proactively sent me a contraption which fixed the problem. That act made me a loyal customer. HP only for ~20 yrs.... Now, with this problem I have purchsed my last HP product. I will not be back.

[filmfan]

Following up my previous comment:  I asked my adult daughter, who used to run a print shop, to take a look at my printer to see if it could be ink build-up causing the noise.   She got into the "belly" of the printer with Q-tips and alcohol and started pulling out gobs of ink that had settled around the rollers.  She agreed (with HP reps) that this ink build-up could well be causing the loud noise.  The problem is accessing enough of the interior to really clean it out.  Unlike larger industrial printers, the 4500 does not have removable interior parts--or enough access doors-to get to the gunk.  So, while my printer is now somewhat cleaner, it still sounds like a machine gun.  Problem not solved.    Can anyone suggest a printer that has more access to the insides for cleaning purposes?  Otherwise, I can imagine that the same problem will continue to occur with a new printer.  Thank you.