Printer 'out of paper' light after one sheet

[ShellyGH]

Hi, my HP printer stops printing after one sheet when I'm trying to print several and the orange 'out of paper' light flashes.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @ShellyGH 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

When your HP printer flashes the 'out of paper' light after printing just one sheet, it often means the paper feed sensors are misreading the tray or the rollers aren’t gripping the next sheet properly. 

Let’s walk through a few steps to restore smooth, uninterrupted printing.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for 'Out of Paper' Light After One Sheet

1. Check Paper Alignment and Quantity

• Remove all paper from the input tray.
• Fan the stack to prevent sheets from sticking together.
• Reload 20–25 sheets of clean, unused paper.
• Ensure the paper width guides are snug but not tight.

2. Clean the Paper Feed Rollers

• Dust or residue on the rollers can cause misfeeds.
• Visit: Cleaning Paper Feed Rollers – HP Printers
• Follow the steps to clean rollers using a lint-free cloth and distilled water.
• Let them dry completely before reloading paper.

3. Reset the Printer

• Turn off the printer using the power button.
• Unplug the power cord from the rear and wall outlet.
• Wait 60 seconds.
• Plug it back in and turn it on.

This clears any temporary sensor faults.

4. Run the Paper Feed Diagnostic

• Open the HP App on your computer or mobile device.
• Select your printer > Tools > Diagnose & Fix
• Run the paper feed test and follow any prompts.

5. Update Firmware

• Visit: HP Printer Firmware and Drivers
• Enter your printer model and select your operating system.
• Download and install the latest firmware update.

Firmware updates often improve sensor calibration and feed timing.

6. Try a Different Paper Type

• If using glossy, thick, or specialty paper, switch to plain A4 or letter-size sheets.
• Specialty papers may require manual feed or different tray settings.

If the issue continues after these steps, try printing a single-page document and observe whether the second sheet is pulled in or ignored. Let me know what you notice—I’ll guide you further if needed. 

You’re doing everything right by staying attentive and proactive. With a few adjustments, your printer should return to smooth, uninterrupted printing.

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Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye