prineter says paper tray is open but it's not

[gdub21]

My printer has an error that says the paper tray is open, and it needs to be pushed back in to print. It is not open though, and I have checked everything... no paper jams or anything... everything looks right, but I can't print.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @gdub21,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

I understand that your printer is showing a “paper tray open” error even though the tray is properly closed, with no paper jams or visible issues. Let’s go through some troubleshooting steps to resolve this.

Steps to fix the “Paper Tray Open” error:

Power Cycle the Printer

Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power outlet.

Wait 60 seconds, then plug it back in and power it on.

This can sometimes reset the sensors and clear false tray errors.

Check the Paper Tray Mechanism

Remove the tray completely and inspect it for any broken clips, debris, or misaligned parts.

Reinsert the tray firmly until it clicks into place.

Inspect the Tray Sensors

Look for small levers or tabs inside the printer where the tray sits.

Ensure they move freely and are not blocked or stuck.

Clean gently with a dry, lint-free cloth if dust is present.

Test Without Paper

Try closing the tray with no paper loaded.

If the error persists, it indicates a possible faulty tray sensor.

Update Firmware

Go to HP Software & Drivers and check if a firmware update is available.

Updating firmware can sometimes fix sensor-related false error messages.

I hope this helps.

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Best regards,