My Officejet 5742 tells me that the photo tray is blocked, but it isn't ??

[ChrisJS3]

My Officejet 5742 tells me that the photo tray is blocked, but it isn't ??

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @ChrisJS3,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

I understand your OfficeJet 5742 is showing a “photo tray is blocked” message even though nothing is actually blocking it. Let’s go through a few steps to find out what might be causing this.

Reseat the photo tray
– Pull the photo tray out completely, then place it back firmly until it clicks into position.
– Make sure no paper is curled or sticking up inside the tray area.

Check for small obstructions
– Shine a light inside the tray slot to look for tiny scraps of paper or debris.
– Even small pieces can trigger the sensor, so remove anything you find.

Slide the tray guides properly
– Adjust the paper-width guides so they lightly touch the photo paper without bending it.
– Incorrect alignment can cause the printer to think the tray isn’t seated correctly.

Clean the tray sensor area
– Use a dry, lint-free cloth to gently wipe around the tray entrance and sensor window.
– Dust or smudges can block the sensor from detecting the tray.

Make sure the printer is trying to use the correct tray
– In the print settings, select “Main Tray” or “Automatic” instead of “Photo Tray” when printing regular paper.
– Wrong tray selection can trigger the blocked-tray alert.

Power reset the printer
– With the printer on, unplug the power cable from the back and from the wall.
– Wait 60 seconds, plug it back in, and let it fully restart.

Try printing a photo from the printer’s touchscreen
– This forces the printer to activate the photo tray manually.
– If it works here, the issue may be from print settings on your device.

I hope this helps.

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