Printer creases paper on output

[SRosen]

HP color laser jet 2600n  - XP operating system.

Printer ejects paper with a vertical crease, approx. 3 inches from the right side of paper margin.

Have cleaned, have calibrated.  STUCK!

Can this problem be fixed. 

 I just bought over $300 in new laser cartridges, sitting in an unopened box.

[007OHMSS]

Well, first thing I would ask is has the printer always done this? I would assume not, so my next question is have you changed the weight/type of media/paper that you are using? If it is too light, it could be reacting the pick roller that pushes the paper through the printer.

If everything is the same, but this just changed, then there is a physical issue. It could be a hardware failure, or it is possible that something either came loose and/or fell into the printer. That can also happen, if there was a paper jam previously.

[lontjc]

HP Laserjet 3380.   I'm using a good quality paper but output is creased on the left hand side about two inches from the edge.   The very top left corner of the page is damaged which suggests an obstacle is being encountered as the paper begins to feed through the machine.   I have open all panels, removed ink cartridge and checked for jammed paper or debris but without success.    Is there any more I can do before sending for repair?

[pcwizard]

Hi lontjc,

I would like for you to do the following test. 

1. Make sure paper is good quality 

2. Adjust paper width guides against the paper

3. Send a print job to the printer

4. Interrupt the print job before it gets to the fuser unit. Easiest way to do this is open the front cover right after the paper is pulled into the printer.

5. Carefully remove the paper from the inside of the printer, and then look at the paper to see if there are any folded corners or creases.

Note: The toner will not be adhered to the paper, so be careful not to touch the printed image it will transfer to your hands. If you do get toner on your hand just wash them off.  

Let me know if the paper looks ok or if it has damage. If no damage is present then the fuser unit of the printer is causing the damage to the paper, and would need to be replaced. If the paper is damaged before it gets to the fuser unit then you may have something in the paper path causing the paper to skew.

[lontjc]

I did as you said.    4 lines of text had printed.   Paper is not creased or showing any sign of damage.     I repeated the test but allowing a little more of the paper to be picked up.   This time 10 lines of text printed.   Both damage to the top left hand corner and creasing have reappeared.   Sounds like the fuser unit is the issue.   Can this be self repaired reasonably easily or is it a job for a technician?

[pcwizard]

Hi lontjc,

The printer would have to be partly disassembled to replace the fuser unit, which would require an authorized HP service technician. Is the printer still covered under warranty or did you purchase an extended warranty for the printer?

[lontjc]

The printer is several years old so I doubt still under warranty and I did not purchase an extended warranty. 

[pcwizard]

Hi lontjc,

I would contact a local autorized HP service center in your area to schedule a technician to come out to look at the printer. The technician can verify what we checked to make sure it truly is an issue with the fuser unit. The technician can quote a price to get the unit repaired.