Printer pulls sheets of paper before printing

[Beancounter2]

i purchased a new printer in the past week but I am having problems with the printer pulling extra pages of paper when i print documents. The printer pulls two sheets of paper through, then it prints on a third page. This happens whether I print a page from the internet, or a Word of PDF saved on my laptop. I have just printed a three page PDF which involved the printer pulling through two pages before the printed page - 6 wasted pages of paper which have roller marks all over one end. It would appear that the printer is trying to pull the paper through to print, but it is failing to grip it properly. I have not had a problem with this paper before in any other printer e.g. Xerox laser, HP 6970, standard multi-function office device.

[Jay_G24]

Hi @Beancounter2

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

Check the paper

Paper feed issues might result from dusty, torn, wrinkled, wet, or folded paper in the tray. The quality of the paper can also make a difference. Follow these guidelines to help avoid the issue.

• Use only good quality paper that meets product specifications.

• Store all paper in a dry, cool place. This issue occurs more often in humid climates.

• Do not print on paper that is already printed. The dampness of the ink can cause the paper to stick together.

Follow these steps to check the condition of the paper.

1. Remove the stack of paper from the tray.

2. Examine the condition of the paper, and replace any ripped, dusty, curled, wrinkled, or bent paper.

3. Make sure that all the paper in the stack is the same size and type. Never load mixed types of paper in the tray. The product can only process one type of paper at a time.

4. Make sure that the stack of paper contains no fewer than 10 sheets and no more than 25 sheets of paper.

5. Fan the stack of paper to make sure none of the sheets are stuck together.

6. Tap the stack of paper on a flat surface to align the edges.

7. Insert the stack of paper into the product, and then push the paper into the product until it stops.

   NOTE: 

   Do not push the paper too far into the product. This can cause the paper to jam into the rollers and cause the issue.

8. Gently push the paper guides against the paper. Do not push the guides so far that they bind against the paper.

9. Try printing again. If the issue is not resolved, try loading different brands of paper and different types of paper, one type at a time. Then try printing again.

• If these steps resolved the issue, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.

• If the issue persists, continue to the next solution.

Clean the paper pick rollers (top paper tray)

1. Get a flashlight.

2. Turn off the printer.

3. Wait until the printer is idle and silent, and then disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.

4. Remove the paper stack from the input tray.

5. With the flashlight, look down into the input tray and find the paper pick rollers.

   

6. Lightly dampen a cotton swab with water, and then squeeze it to remove any excess water.

7. Clean the rollers with the swab, rotating the rollers with your fingers to completely clean them.

8. Allow the rollers to dry for two minutes.

9. Reconnect the power cord, and then turn on the printer.

Clean the paper pick rollers (under printer)

Clean the paper pick rollers on a printer where the paper tray is located on the bottom.

1. Turn off the printer.

2. Wait until the printer is idle and silent, and then disconnect the power cord and any cables from the rear of the printer.

3. Remove the paper stack from the input tray.

4. Lift the printer and place it on its side or back.

5. Pull out the paper tray, and then locate the gray paper pick rollers.

   

6. Lightly dampen a cotton swab with water, and then squeeze it to remove any excess water.

7. Clean the rollers with the swab, rotating the rollers with your fingers to completely clean them.

8. Allow the rollers to dry for two minutes.

9. Set the printer upright.

10. Reconnect the power cord, and then turn on the printer.

Clean the paper pick rollers (inside printer)

Clean the paper pick rollers under the cartridges or inside the paper tray area.

1. Get a flashlight.

2. Turn off the printer.

3. Wait until the printer is idle and silent, and then disconnect the power cord and any cables from the rear of the printer.

4. Remove the paper stack from the input tray.

5. Depending on your printer model, use the flashlight to find the paper pick roller.

   Figure : Printers with the roller under the cartridges

   

   Figure : Printers with the roller above the input tray

   

6. Lightly dampen a cotton swab with water, and then squeeze it to remove any excess water.

7. Clean the rollers with the swab, rotating the rollers with your fingers to completely clean them.

8. Allow the rollers to dry for two minutes.

9. Reconnect the power cord and cables, and then turn on the printer.

Reset the product

• With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.
• Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
• Wait at least 60 seconds.
• Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet.
• Reconnect the power cord to the printer.
• Turn the printer on. HP recommends plugging the printer directly into a wall outlet.

 Try and print 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

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[Beancounter2]

Thanks for the reply. 

I seem to have found the solution - the side paper guides were not tight enough against the paper; I have adjusted these and now everything seems to be OK. I should have read the whole manual before asking for help, but it is rather a large document! 

Cheers

[Jay_G24]

That's great! Happy to hear that. If you need further assistance feel free to reach out to us.

Have a great day ahead!