laserjet 1022 - grabbing extra paper

[Girasol]

HP LaserJet 1022 - troublefree workhorse printer for years, as of today has started grabbing an extra sheet of paper after each page printed.  

Does not seem to be a mechanical problem with lifters or rollers - it's grabbing paper ok, and printing fine, but it's going after multiple sheets for each printed one.

(No recent changes to system, config, etc.)

Thanks for any help.

[Gemini02]

Hi Girasol

I understand the printer is grabbing another paper after each page is printed.

I will be happy to assist you with this.

So the printer isn't pulling in multiple pages at a time correct?

In the application you are printing from go to file, print preview to see if there is a extra page there. What is in the print preview is what the printer will print.

Try to make a new document and make sure it is just one page and try and print it or try another application.

If you need more assistance just let me know.

[Girasol]

Hi - thanks for your reply.

The print routine sounds differently now - there is extra clunking noise as the machine grabs an extra page immediately after printing one - and feeds the second sheet out blank.

There is not an extra blank page in print preview - just a one page document.  Or, if it's more than a one page document, the machine will print those pages correctly, but always follow at the end with a single blank sheet.

If i load paper or labels into the auxiliary tray - it prints correctly - just the document, and no extra blank page emerges.  That is my current workaround - but it is intolerable as a long term solution.

[Gemini02]

Hi Girasol

Thank You for providing that information.

Try and print a hardware test page to find out if it is hardware or software related. Hold the GO button for 5 seconds (green button looks like a DIAMOND) Test Page.

I have provided a document to clean the pick up roller.

It is very tricky removing and inserting it again.

Hope this helps.

[Girasol]

It prints the test page, and does not add a blank sheet.  However, it sounds extra-clunky doing so.  As if it is trying to pick up more sheets.  

The extra blank sheets occur when printing other docs sent from the computer.  

And yes, removing and replacing that roller is tricky - which i know because i took it out to clean it after this issue began.  I suspect i may not have seated it properly on replacement - but i stress - the issue with extra blank pages started previous to my cleaning the pickup.  

[Gemini02]

Hi Girasol

If the printer is making a clucking noise then most likely it is a hardware issue.

Make sure there are no pieces of paper inside the unit causing the clucking noise.

I would do a power reset to see if that will resolve the issue. With the printer still turned on, disconnect the power cable from the back of the printer. Then disconnect the power cable from the wall outlet. Wait 10 seconds and reconnect the power cable back to the wall outlet first, then the back of the printer and power it on again.

Make sure the printer is connected directly to wall outlet. (don't use a power hub or a surge protector)

I would download and run the Print and Scan Doctor to fix common printing
problems. Click Here.

Hope that helps.

[Girasol]

All of no help i'm afraid.

Scan Doc declares all is well; (But when it sends a test page to print - nothing at all happens, not even a printout with excess blank page.) 

Re-powering - no effect.

?

[Gemini02]

Hi Girasol

Sorry we weren't able to fix this issue.

Your best option at this time would be to contact HP Tech Support for further
assistance to see what other options are available for you, you can also find out about the trade in and trade up program. Click Here.

[tgafford]

yeah it's a hardware issue, but it's just a spring:) the clunking noise is the sound of picking a sheet of paper.  the problem is that it clunks too many times because the spring on the feed solenoid has become weak, and the pick roller keeps feeding paper even though the printer doesn't need it.  The jam happens because the printer frequently doesn't know what to do with the extra paper, since it didn't ask for it.  you need the service manual, or the you tube video that shows how to take off the right side panel (only one screw and a bit of tugging in the right place, hence the video is helpful).  the solenoid is in the bottom rear on the right side, has a 2 wire cable going to it from the controller PC board, and is easily removed with one black screw.  carefully shorten the spring one or two turns of the coil(in my case the adjustment bar that anchored the spring was already in the max tension position so I couldn't just bend the bar, maybe you can on yours) and reattach it.  You can watch the mechanism before and after, if you like, it is educational.  before you fix it, with the side cover off, press and release the online button (no computer needed, and this is a good way to insure the printer only asks for one sheet) and you can see the solenoid pick, and then you can see the white gear go around more than once.  It should not.  One revolution of the pickup shaft should be enough, with an adequately sticky and clean pickup roller (see elsewhere for how to clean this or replace it, it's easy to clean and cheap to replace).  If the printer needs to push the paper farther to get printing started, it will activate the shaft again.  the point is that the solenoid is only energized for a quarter of a second but the weak spring doeesn't return the solenoid lever to the stop position with enough force to catch the white cam surface the next time around.  Anyway, tighten the spring, and now you should see the pickup shaft turn exactly once per button press.  Note the distinction betwen feed issues,where a slick roller gives no pickup and a slick separator pad gives you double sheet pickup, this is a sequential extra pickup of single sheets.  little victories.