Trying to print on 5.5x8.5 paper. When a full sheet is put in the printer it only prints in the top

[austinblair2173]

On my Color LaserJet Pro M255dw when I try printing a paper size 5.5x8.5 it tries printing and prints a weird color at the top and then says cleaning.  When I use a full sheet of paper it puts the 5.5x8.5 menu in the top left corner of the regular sized paper.  How do I get it to the center?

[Max3Aj]

@austinblair2173, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

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

It seems your HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw is having trouble recognizing and aligning the 5.5x8.5-inch paper. Here are steps to address both the weird color issue and the print alignment problem:

Issue 1: Weird Color & Cleaning Cycle

This issue may stem from the printer not correctly detecting the paper size or a misalignment causing toner application problems.

Solution

1. Manually Set Paper Size in Printer Tray:
   • On the printer screen, navigate to Setup > Paper Handling > Paper Size and select 5.5 x 8.5 inches for the specific tray.
   • Ensure the paper guides in the tray are snug but not overly tight.
2. Set Paper Type Properly:
   • If printing on heavier stock, go to Setup > Paper Handling > Paper Type and select the appropriate paper type (e.g., Cardstock, Plain, etc.).
   • Incorrect settings can lead to toner adhesion issues, which may trigger cleaning cycles.
3. Update Firmware & Drivers:
   • Make sure your printer has the latest firmware. You can update it via HP Support or the printer's Embedded Web Server (EWS).
   • Update your printer drivers from HP website to ensure compatibility and performance.

Issue 2: Print Alignment on Full-Size Paper

If your printer is printing as if the 5.5x8.5 paper is positioned at the top left of a full sheet rather than centered, follow these steps:

Solution

1. Adjust Printer Settings in Print Dialog:
   • Open your print dialog box (from applications like Word, Adobe, etc.).
   • Click on Page Setup or Printer Properties.
   • Ensure the paper size is set to 5.5x8.5 inches.
   • Look for an option under Layout or Advanced to Center the Print or adjust margins manually.
2. Use a Custom Paper Size in Printer Settings:
   • Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
   • Right-click on your HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw and select Printer Preferences.
   • Under the Paper/Quality tab, choose Custom Paper Size and define 5.5x8.5 inches.
   • Set the paper source to the correct tray.
3. Manually Adjust the Print Position:
   • Some applications (like Word or Adobe Acrobat) allow manual positioning of the content.
   • Adjust the margins in the application to center the content on the page.

After making these changes, try printing again. If the issue persists:

• Print a configuration page from the printer’s menu to check if the custom paper size is recognized correctly.
• Test printing from a different application (e.g., print from Word if you were using Adobe, or vice versa) to see if the issue is software-related.

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