HP OfficeJet Pro X541 Print Bar Jam

[bgrorud]

While printing to the HP OfficeJet Pro pagewide printer X541 series, the printer will randomly a few times a day give a "Print Bar Jam" error on the display.  If we open the cover, and then close it, the printer resumes and continues printing.  No jammed paper is ever found in the printer.

There are very few google results for "Print Bar Jam".  Could someone please let me know what causes this error to come up so I know where I should examine more closely to troubleshoot this?

Thanks!

-Brad

[DavidSMP]

Hi @bgrorud,

Thanks for stopping by the HP support forums. A very good day to you.  I reviewed the post regarding possible paper jam issues with the printer. I will be glad to assist you here.

Super description and great diagnosis of the issue before posting. Kudos to you for that.:)  You are a valued HP customer and it is paramount to assist you with it. I take it as a privilege to share this platform with you. 🙂

• Did this happen after a power outage or surge?
• Did this occur after a recent software or windows update?

This may be a hardware issue with the printer

For a start please make about 10 blank copies directly from the printer without any communication from the computer to avoid wastage of ink.

Then please perform all the prescribed steps from this link: https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-officejet-pro-x451-printer-series/5043045/document/c04912718  for paper jam issues. There is an associated video also.

Please perform all the steps from this link: https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-officejet-pro-x451-printer-series/5043045/document/c03666422  as well if the first link does not fix the issue.

Finally please try these steps if the issue is software related it should work:

Uninstall the printer completely by following these steps:

• In Windows, search for and open Programs and Features.
• Select your HP printer.
• Select Uninstall.
• In Windows, search for and open Devices and Printers.
• In the Devices and Printers window look for your HP Printer. If you see it listed, right-click on it and choose "Delete" or "Remove Device.”
• Open up the run command with the "Windows Key + R" key combo.
• Type printui.exe /s and click OK.
• Click on Drivers tab.
• Look for HP Printer driver. If you see it click on it and click Remove at the bottom.
• Select OK.
• Remove all instances of the same.
• Select Apply and OK on the Print Server Properties windows.
• Close Devices and Printers. 

Then reinstall the printer drivers from this link: http://hp.com/drivers

Then follow the on-screen instructions to install the printer software. Please select the correct operating system.

Please make sure to update the printer firmware also. This should do the trick for you.

Please make sure to perform all the steps patiently to resolve the issue.

Hope this helps. Let me know how this goes. I genuinely hope the issue gets resolved without hassles and the unit works great.

To simply say thanks, please click the "Thumbs Up" button to give me a Kudos to appreciate my efforts to help. If this helps, please mark this as “Accepted Solution” as it will help several others with the same issue to get it resolved without hassles.

Take care now and have a splendid week ahead.

[JBT12]

I have the same issues on my X476. I do not have any paper jams but rather a Print Bar Jam.  The Printer is stating that there is an obstruction in the ink access door maybe between the ink cartridges and the printer. But there are no obstructions. I have only used HP ink. I don't think this is a paper jam issue. 

[bgrorud]

I just want to say that David's reply, from an HP employee was completely useless.  He did a copy and paste of his standard reply to all issues without even reading or understanding the problem that is going on.  He did not have anything positive to contribute to the conversation and his reply most likely hurt those of us looking for a solution as others at HP might not investigate the issue as someone already has replied (regardless of how irrelevant the reply was).

I never did find a solution to this problem, and it continues to happen.  Opening and closing the paper drawer allows my printer to continue.  If there is an HP support person that actually understands how these printers work and has access to the service manuals and can provide additional details on what a "Print Bar Jam" actually is, it would be much appreciated.

Thank you,

-Brad

[Nicolem1]

Exactly the same issue here, nobody seems to know what causes it, we have tried everything, please help..

[Poltercow]

Brad,

We have had the same "print bar jam" error come up randomly all day long on our Office Jet Pro X551dw for weeks. Had a printer guy come out and check it, but he also could not come up with an answer.

  Two days ago, I did two things and have not had the error since. (I'll update again in a week or so to advise if still working or not.)

  First, I ran all three of the "clean printhead" routines listed in the "tools" section for this printer. This took about an hour and 10 minutes. Previously, had only run routine one or two, because, by that time, the print samples were coming out fine, so this is the first time I've run all three.

  Second, this printer is on an office network, and I started shutting it down every night instead of leaving it on. We shut down our network at night (turn the power off). I started leaving the printer off until the network was powered back up in the morning. (Previously, the printer would be in "sleep" mode when the network was powered up.)

  As I mentioned, I did both of these things at the same time, so have no idea which one was effective, although I would suspect it's the "cleaning" routines. Haven't had the error come up once in the past two full days. Also, it's only been two days, so we'll see how long this lasts. I'll let you know.

-- Steve

[bgrorud]

Steve,

Just to add to the conversation, for my printer, I had tried the full 3 step head cleaning process to fix an unrealated error, and the problem did continue after it.  Keep us posted on if the problem comes back for you.

-Brad

[Poltercow]

Brad,

The error has come up only once since I ran the cleaning routines on 8/23. Also, as I mentioned, I've been shutting the printer down each night instead of leaving it on, then only turning it on in the morning after powering up the network.

  The error had been coming up multiple times daily prior to 8/23. Did the cleaning routine remove a smudge of ink that had been partially blocking a sensor? Is it a software malfunction that is alleviated by the network on/off routine?

  I might learn more by leaving the printer on again all the time, but, like a pigeon in a Skinner box, I hesitate to change the routine while the printer is working. Go figure.

  Good luck on your end, and I'll post again if the error starts cropping up again.

-- Steve

[bgrorud]

As of right now, my fix was to give the printer to a user that doesn't complain as much and buy a new one for the boss.   🙂  (So far, no complaints)

Are other people who experience this able to clear the error by just opening and closing the paper tray, or do you have to power off to clear?

-Brad