882c not engaging print, ejects paper

[ray5450]

Printer: HP 882c that has always worked great.

I tried printing a document. It does not try to print, but just ejects 2 and 1/2 sheets of paper, and then alarms.  The head assembly moves to the ready position, but does not move after that, only the paper ejects.  If I pull out the 3rd (1/2) sheet and reset, it will do the same again, and again. The document stays in the printer queue list.

Is there anything I can try to do?

Thanks.

[Nal_NR]

Hi @ray5450,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd be glad to help you! 

I understand how frustrating it must be to have your reliable HP 882c suddenly stop working as expected. Let's troubleshoot this issue to get your printer back on track.

• Has the printer been idle for a long time before this issue started?
• Are there any error lights or specific messages displayed on the printer when the alarm sounds?
• Have you recently changed the ink cartridges, paper type, or updated any printer-related settings?

Let's try these steps.

Check for Paper Jams or Obstructions:

• Turn off the printer and unplug it. Open the printer cover and inspect the paper path and printhead area for any debris, torn paper, or blockages. Remove any obstructions gently.

Clean the Paper Feed Rollers:

• Use a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with water to clean the paper rollers. Allow them to dry completely before testing.

Reset the Printer:

• Turn off the printer, unplug it from the power source, and wait for at least 2 minutes. Plug it back in and turn it on. This can sometimes clear any internal errors.

Reinstall the Print Drivers:

• Go to your computer's Control Panel > Devices and Printers, remove the HP 882c from the list, and reinstall the printer drivers from the HP website.

Test with Different Paper and Document:

• Load a fresh stack of plain paper and try printing a different document or a printer test page. This helps rule out issues with specific files or paper.

If the issue persists, it might be related to a hardware problem, such as the printhead assembly or sensors.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

[ray5450]

"Has the printer been idle for a long time before this issue started?"

--No.
"Are there any error lights or specific messages displayed on the printer when the alarm sounds?"

--There are no sounds with this printer. The light only blinks when the paper runs out or gets stuck.
"Have you recently changed the ink cartridges, paper type, or updated any printer-related settings?"

--No.

As to the rest of the checks, I have already done all that.

[Repairatrooper]

Please state what driver is being used. On your computer go to control panel>devices and printers and then right click on your printer and select "printer properties" from the drop down menu. Click on the advanced tab and report back what drivers is showing as installed. 

You may have answered this already, but have you tried printing different files and from different programs. Might just be a corrupt file or program.

[ray5450]

I am using the same driver I have used for years.  I tried installing a fresh copy from a backup drive with no change

"You may have answered this already, but have you tried printing different files and from different programs. Might just be a corrupt file or program."

--Yes, and tried a different printer with no issue.

[ray5450]

Is this printer trash?