3830 officejet will not load 4x6 photo paper

[Danmike]

My 3830 officejet will not load the 4x6 HP photo paper. I have tried to print from Windows 11 Dell PC and from my iPhone. The paper will not load from the back tray. It will load letter size paper. I have tried many times. I have adjusted the paper size slider several times to ensure the paper is in the correct position. The printer does make the recognition sound when I insert the photo paper so it seems the printer does know the paper has been inserted in the back tray. Not sure what I am missing. 

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Danmike, 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

When your HP OfficeJet 3830 printer is not loading 4x6 photo paper but works fine with letter-sized paper, it indicates that the issue is specific to the smaller paper size rather than a general hardware malfunction. Here are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve this issue:

Check the Paper Tray and Guides: Ensure that the paper guides are snugly adjusted for the 4x6 paper. Even a small gap can cause the printer to fail to pick up the paper. Since the printer is recognizing the paper, it's likely not an issue with sensor detection but rather with the mechanics of paper pick-up.

Clean the Rollers: Dirty or worn-out rollers can cause paper feeding issues. Turn off the printer and unplug it, then use a lint-free cloth lightly moistened with distilled water to clean the rollers. Avoid using too much liquid. Allow the rollers to dry completely before plugging the printer back in and turning it on.

Paper Type and Condition: Ensure that the 4x6 HP photo paper is not damaged, curled, or too glossy for the printer's rollers to grip. Some photo papers have a coating that might make it difficult for the printer's rollers to pick them up. Try a different brand or finish of photo paper to see if it makes a difference.

Printer Settings: Check both your PC and iPhone printer settings to ensure that they are configured for 4x6 photo paper. Misconfigured settings might cause the printer to expect a different paper size or type, leading to loading issues.

Firmware Update: Ensure your printer's firmware is up to date. HP often release firmware updates to fix known issues. You can check for firmware updates through the HP Smart app or the printer's built-in web server. Click Here

Printer Reset: Try resetting the printer to its factory defaults. This can resolve unforeseen glitches that might be causing the issue. Click Here

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Rachel571 

HP Support