HP Smart Tank 7301 broken input tray projectiles

[suzyelle]

Within four hours of buying this printer today, one of the projectiles or legs that signal to the printer that the tray is closed had broken off. I bought this printer when my workhorse HP 8620 died, and even after buying a new  printhead and opening eight new ink cartridges, I couldn’t revive it. Before my ordeal with the new printhead, six days ago I bought an HP 8020 All-in-One. However, I returned it after it failed to print 200 pages without streaking. I was concerned then about the flimsy paper tray design because I had been spoiled by the far superior design of the 8620.  I started researching other brands, but HP is the only brand that can handle the paper weight and sizes  I use with the quality of graphic prints I need, so I made the decision to buy the 7301. I really like this printer, but I can’t find any way to see if my warranty covers the tray or even if I can purchase one. I can’t even find the part number so I can use the guy who made a little leg attachment he sells on Amazon and which you attach with business tape so it can easily come off without breaking if it snags again. I searched this forum, found a similar problem with the Envy fixed with super glue, but the brand I had  on hand didn’t work; I am going to the hardware as soon as it’s open. The design of the tray is an obvious flaw, especially when this printer is sold to small businesses, which is what I use I for mostly. For one thing, the printer is too light, and it moves when you push in the tray. You have to shove it a little and hold the back. Also, I think 259 sheets is too many. I had probably 150, and I think they may have pushed the tray down too far or something that caused it to catch. There was nothing underneath it. The Envy forum offered a private message with a support number where the customer could maybe get a new tray. I’d like to at least get the part number. Could I get that support contact please? Thanks for your help. 

[Rainbow23 · Accepted solution]

Hi @suzyelle,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. It is a great way to post questions and find resolutions by working with specialists in the HP community.

This could be a hardware issue with the unit and may need repair. We need to provide the solution to this issue in a private message as this information cannot be shared on a public post.

I have sent you a private message with this information. 

In order to access your private messages, click the Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it or simply click on this link 

Keep me posted and have a great day ahead! 

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping.

[suzyelle]

I bought the printer at Best Buy along with a replacement plan. They are replacing the printer. Seems like a big expense for a paper tray, but I was unable to find the part in the HP parts site and assume they had no source for one either, so it seems the only solution available. Thank you for the personal message. I will keep it in mind if I have another problem. I do suggest that replacement trays become available. It’s a better solution than a whole new printer. 

[suzyelle]

Another suggestion for this paper tray problem I discovered that may help others is I bought a large glass cutting board to place the printer on. It keeps the printer from sliding like it did on the desktop and ensures the paper tray is above a VERY smooth flat surface. I would have thought the desk was smooth and flat, but I can tell a difference with the cutting board in the ease of inserting the tray. I don’t pull it all the way out if I don’t have to when adding paper. BTW I fixed the projectile temporarily with Gorilla tape.