Laser Jet Pro MFP 281 fdw won't recognize size of refilled letter paper, prints off center

[jlt007]

After routine refill of paper tray with standard letter paper, the printer seems not to recognize size of paper, asking for permission to print each time..   And then it prints only about 3/4 of the page--off center

[Max3Aj]

Hi @jlt007,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It sounds like your HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw is having trouble detecting the correct paper size in the tray. Here are some steps to fix this issue.

Check Paper Tray Settings

• On the printer's control panel, go to:
  Setup → Paper Setup → Tray 1 (or whichever tray you’re using) → Paper Size
• Ensure it's set to Letter (8.5” x 11”) and not A4 or a custom size.
• Also, check the Paper Type (should be "Plain" if using standard paper).

Adjust Paper Guides

• Open the paper tray and make sure the paper guides are snug against the paper but not too tight.
• If the guides are too loose, the printer may think a different paper size is loaded.

Check Print Settings on Computer

• When printing, go to Printer Properties or Print Setup on your computer.
• Ensure Paper Size is set to Letter.
• If an option like "Fit to Page" or "Borderless" is selected, disable it.
• If using a Mac, check the Page Setup under "Print" and select the correct paper size.

Reset Printer & Clear Print Queue

• Turn off the printer, unplug it for 60 seconds, then plug it back in.
• If you’re using a network connection, restart your router as well.
• Clear any pending print jobs from your computer and try printing again.

Update Firmware & Drivers

• Make sure your printer has the latest firmware:
  1. Go to HP Support (HP Software & Drivers)
  2. Search for HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw
  3. Download and install any available updates.

Try Manually Assigning Paper Size

If the problem persists, you can manually set the paper size in the printer settings:

• On the printer’s control panel, go to Settings → Paper Handling → Manually Set Paper Size → Letter
• Save the settings and restart the printer.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted 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!

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[jlt007]

None of these suggestions worked.  Just bought a new printer.