Laser printer print

defects - Black pages

How
Problem Cause Solution Comments
common*
DC Controller PCA is
defective. If the DC
Controller turns on the laser
black beam continuously, the Replace the DC
10
pages entire surface of the Controller PCA
Photosensitive drum is
neutralized causing a
completely black page
black Replace the toner
Defective toner cartridge 9 4
pages cartridge
High voltage contact springs
are dirty or defective. The Inspect and clean the
high voltage contacts are high voltage contacts.
black
mounted on the High If damaged, replace 2
pages
Voltage Power Supply PCA the High Voltage
and protrude into the toner Power Supply PCA.
cartridge cavity
some printers
High voltage power supply
Replace the High have the high
black circuit is defective (not
Voltage Power 10 voltage power
pages supplying the correct
Supply PCA supply on the
negative voltage)
DC controller.
Laser/Scanner Assembly is Replace the
black
faulty (turning laser on Laser/Scanner 5
pages
continuously) Assembly
black Light is leaking into the Make sure that all possible, but not
2
pages printer covers are in place likely
*On a scale of 1-10, how often this problem occurs (10 being most likely).
HP Laserjet Error Codes 0 - 19
Message on
Additional
printer Display What it means. What to do.
comments.
Panel
Media is jammed at
the specified For all jam messages, do the
location (and following: 1. Remove jammed
possibly at other print media from the specified
13.XX PAPER locations). If the location. Check the entire paper
JAM message persists path for other pieces of media in
[LOCATION] after all jams have the path. 2. Open and close the
been cleared, a top cover to clear the message. 3.
sensor or sensor Check sensors and flags in the
lever might be stuck paper path for proper operation.
or broken.
1. Remove jammed media from
the specified location. 2. Verify
the paper tray is fully closed. 3.
Inspect and/or replace the feed
3.0 PAPER and separation rollers. 4. Ensure
A non-specific
JAM there is no obstruction in the
paper jam occurred.
[LOCATION] path, such as a torn piece of
paper. 5. Open and close the top
cover to clear the message. 6.
Check sensors and flags for
proper operation.
1. Ensure that paper trays are
loaded and adjusted properly so
media can feed from the tray. It
might be necessary to reduce the
stack height of media in the tray.
2. Check the input area for On NX engines
obstructions such as media in the this is most likely
path. Also check to see if the the fuser flag or
13.1 PAPER
Paper-delay jam at registration assembly damaged or the ACPM. The
JAM OPEN
paperfeed area. unseated. 3. Replace any ACPM has a
INPUT TRAYS
defective sensors or flags. 4. photosensor hard-
Verify the media meets the wired to the back
specifications. 5. Check the of it.
pickup feed and separation
rollers for unusual wear. Replace
as needed. 6. Rotate the media in
the input tray by 180 and/or turn
it over
13.10 PAPER Jam at duplexer. 1. Check the duplexer and the On a 5si, 8000, or
JAM CHECK rear area of the printer for 8100 series laserjet
 obstructions or damage. 2. Check a Duplex Jam can
the duplexer for proper be caused by a tray
DUPLEXER
operation. Replace the duplexer 2 and 3 feed
if a sensor is defective. assembly failure.
For Laserjet 5si.
This error is caused
13.14 Replace paper control PCA.
by a defective paper
control PCA
1. Check the input area for
obstructions such as paper in the
path. Also check to see if the
registration assembly is damaged
or if the transfer roller is out of
place. 2. Replace any defective
13.2 PAPER sensors or flags. 3. Ensure the On NX engines
Paper-stopped jam
JAM OPEN media does not exceed the this is an input
at paper-feed area.
INPUT TRAYS maximum length. 4. If multiple jam.
sheets are feeding, it might be
necessary to fan the media and
reduce the stack height. Also,
replace separation pad. 5. Verify
that the fuser is properly
installed.
1. Remove all media in the paper
path, and then open and close the
Media stopped in
top cover. 2. If the message
13.20 PAPER the paper path
persists after all media is
JAM CHECK during power on or
removed: Check if media is
REAR DOOR when the top door
jammed in the prefeed area.
was closed.
Replace any defective sensors or
flags
1. Clear the jam and close the top
13.21 DOOR The top cover was door. 2. If the message persists,
OPEN JAM open while printing. check the top door switch for
proper operation.
1. Check the transfer roller and
small media belt to ensure they
are operating and can feed print
media. 2. Check the paper path
13.5 PAPER for obstructions at the transfer If still persists -
Paper-delay jam at
JAM CHECK roller, toner cartridge, paper feed replace fuser, then
fuser.
REAR DOOR assembly, and fuser. 3. Replace DC controller.
any defective sensors or flags. 4.
Turn the media stack over and/
or rotate it by 180 in the input
tray.
 1. Check the paper path for
13.6 PAPER
Paper-stopped jam obstructions at the fuser and
JAM CHECK
at fuser. output/delivery area. 3. Replace
REAR DOOR
any defective sensors or flags.
1. Remove jammed media from
the specified location. 2. Verify
the paper tray is fully closed. 3.
Inspect and/or replace the feed
13.99 PAPER and separation rollers. 4. Ensure
A non-specific
JAM there is no obstruction in the
paper jam occurred.
[LOCATION] path, such as a torn piece of
paper. 5. Open and close the top
cover to clear the message. 6.
Check sensors and flags for
proper operation

HP Laserjet Error Codes 20-49

Message on
printer Display What it means. What to do. Additional comments.
Panel
You might have tried to
transfer too many macros,
The printer soft fonts, or complex
20 received more graphics. Press GO to print
INSUFFICIENT data than can fit the transferred data (some
MEMORY in available data might be lost). Advise
memory. the customer to simplify
the print job or install
additional memory
The data (dense
Press GO to print the
text, rules, raster
transferred data. (Some
21 PAGE TOO or vector More memory might
data might be lost.) Advise
COMPLEX graphics) sent to help.
the customer to simplify
the printer is too
the print job.
complex
The connection
has been broken
between the 1. Press GO to clear the
printer and the error message and
40 EIO x BAD
EIO card in the continue printing. 2.
TRANSMISSION
specified slot. Reseat the EIO card in slot
(Data loss might [X].
occur in this
situation.)
 1. Reload the tray with the
correct print media size. 2.
Ensure that media in the
tray is loaded under the
front and back tabs. 3. If
you are printing from tray
1, verify that the correct
paper size is selected in
The printer
the control panel. 4. If you
detected a media For the 4000, 4050, and
are printing from tray 2, 3,
size different 4100 series the paper
or 4, verify that the three
from what it was feed assembly could be
paper-size adjustments
expecting. This is bad. Also the paper
41.3 (length guide, width guide,
typically caused feed/registration sensors
UNEXPECTED size-selector switch) on
if two or more could be knocked out of
PAPER SIZE the paper tray have been
sheets stick place. On EX engine
made correctly. Make sure
together in the printers this error is
the media is under the
printer or if the caused by a bad PIU
corner tabs. 5. After
tray is not (paper input unit).
performing the actions
properly adjusted.
above, press GO. The page
containing the error will
automatically be reprinted
if jam recovery is enabled.
(Or, you might want to
press CANCEL JOB to
clear the job from the
printers memory.)
1. This error usually
occurs with smooth media,
For the 4000, 4050, and
such as transparencies or
4100 series the paper
labels. If the problem
feed assembly could be
persists when using tray 1,
The media bad. Also the paper
load media one sheet at a
41.5 PRINTER reached the feed/registration sensors
time. If the problem
ERROR PS102 or PS103 could be knocked out of
persists when using trays 3
sensor too early. place. On EX engine
and 4, replace the feed and
printers this error is
separation rollers. 2.
caused by a bad PIU
Check sensors PS102 and
(paper input unit).
PS103 for proper
operation
41.x PRINTER A temporary The page containing the
ERROR printing error has error will automatically be
occurred. reprinted. If the error
persists: 1. Reseat the
connections to the laser
scanner and then to the
engine controller board. 2.
Replace the laser scanner.
 3. Replace the engine
controller board
49.XX PRINTER A firmware error 1. Press CANCEL JOB to This error is usually
ERROR occurred clear the print job from the caused by a bad
printer memory. 2. Turn formatter board.
the printer off, and then
turn the printer on. 3. Try
printing a job from a
different software
application. If the job
prints, go back to the first
application and try
printing a different file. (If
the message only appears
with a certain software
application or print job,
contact the software
vendor for assistance.) 4.
If the message persists
with different software
applications and print jobs,
disconnect all cables to the
printer that connect it to
the network or printer. 5.
Turn the printer off. 6.
Remove all memory
DIMMs or third-party
DIMMs from the printer.
(Do not remove the
firmware DIMM in the
lowest DIMM slot.) 7.
Remove all EIO devices
from the printer. 8. Turn
the printer on. 9. If the
error no longer exists,
install each DIMM and
EIO device one at a time,
making sure to turn the
printer off and back on as
you install each device.
10. Replace a DIMM or
EIO device if you
determine that it causes
the error. 11. Remember to
reconnect all cables that
connect the printer to the
network or computer. 12.
If the error persists,
replace the firmware
 DIMM. 13. Replace the
formatter.

HP Laserjet Error Codes 50-59

Message on
Additional
printer Display What it means. What to do.
comments.
Panel
1. Remove the printer
from any UPS supplies,
additional power supplies,
or power strips. 2. Plug
the printer into a wall
outlet and see if this
resolves the problem. 3. If
the printer is already
plugged into a wall outlet,
50.4 PRINTER A problem exists with the try another power source
ERROR customers line voltage. in the building that is
independent of the one
currently being used. 4.
The line voltage and
current source at the
printer location might
need to be inspected to
ensure that it meets the
printers electrical
specifications.
50.X FUSER A fuser error has occurred. 1. Turn the printer off,
ERROR wait 10 minutes, and then
turn the printer on. 2. If
the message persists,
reseat the fuser. If that
does not work, replace the
fuser. To check the fuser,
turn the printer off and
remove the fuser.
Measure the resistance
between the fuser
connectors. If it is not
within the proper range,
replace the fuser. If there
is not continuity between
the fuser connectors
neutral and hot with the
fuser removed, replace
the fuser. If the problem
 is not related to the fuser,
replace the engine
controller board.
1. Press GO. The page
containing the error will
automatically be
A loss of beam-detect reprinted. 2. Turn the
51.X PRINTER occurred. X description: 1 = printer off and then on. 3.
ERROR Beam-detect error 2 = Laser Reseat cables to the laser/
error scanner and engine
controller. 4. Replace the
laser/scanner. 5. Replace
the DC controller.
1. Press GO. The page
containing the error will
automatically be
The laser scanner speed is
reprinted. 2. Turn the
52.X PRINTER incorrect. X description: 1 =
printer off and then on. 3.
ERROR Scanner startup error 2 =
Reseat cables to the laser/
Scanner rotation error
scanner and engine
controller. 4. Replace the
laser/scanner.
There is a memory error
with an accessory. The
DIMM that caused the error
will not be used. Values of
X, Y, and ZZ are as
follows: X = DIMM type 0
= ROM 1 = RAM Y =
Device location 0 = internal
memory (ROM or RAM) 1
1. Turn the printer off,
to 4 = DIMM slots 1, 2, 3,
and reseat or replace the
or 4 ZZ = Error number 0,
specified DIMM. 2. Try
1, 2 = Unsupported o
53.XY.ZZ the DIMM in another slot.
unrecognized memory 3 =
PRINTER (The firmware DIMM
Failed RAM test 4, 5 =
ERROR must remain in slot #4
Exceeded maximum RAM
the lowest DIMM slot.) 3.
or ROM size 6 = Invalid
Replace the DIMM that
DIMM speed 7 = DIMM
caused the error.
reporting information
incorrectly 8 = DIMM
RAM parity error 9 = ROM
needs to be mapped to an
unsupported address 10 =
DIMM address conflict 11
= PDC XROM out of
bounds 12 = Unable to
make a temporary mapping
 1. Open the top cover and
54.1 REMOVE
remove the toner
SEALING
The toner cartridge has been cartridge. 2. Pull the
TAPE alternates
installed without removing sealing tape tab to remove
with FROM
the sealing tape. the strip. 3. Reinstall the
TONER
toner cartridge and close
CARTRIDGE
the top cover.
1. Remove the printer
from any UPS supplies,
additional power supplies,
or power strips. 2. Plug
the printer into a wall
outlet and see if this
resolves the problem. 3. If
54.4 PRINTER the printer is already
ERROR plugged into a wall outlet,
alternates with A problem exists with the try another power source
CYCLE customers line voltage. in the building that is
POWER TO independent of the one
CONTINUE currently being used. 4.
The line voltage and
current source at the
printer location might
need to be inspected to
ensure that it meets the
printers electrical
specifications.
The page containing the
error will automatically
55.xx PRINTER be reprinted. 1. Check the On the 5si, 8000,
ERROR power at the customers 8100 this could
alternates with An internal communications location. 2. Replace the be a fuser
CYCLE error occurred. formatter and/or firmware problem. Try
POWER TO DIMM. 4. Replace the replacing the
CONTINUE engine controller board. 5. fuser.
Replace the formatter
board.
An incompatible
combination of input/
output bins was selected. X 1. Turn the printer off,
= description: 1 = Illegal and then turn the printer
56.X PRINTER
input or bad accessory on. 2. Check the printers
ERROR
connector 2 - Illegal output configuration. 3. Verify
The page containing the accessory connection.
error will automatically be
reprinted.
57.X PRINTER A fan failure was detected. 1. Check the fans On older style
 printers this is
often caused by a
bad main motor.
(Older style
connector and make sure
X description: 4 = Printer printer being
ERROR the fan is not blocked. 2.
fan 7 = Duplex fan printers with
Replace the fan.
halogen heating
elements in the
fuser - 4, 4+, 5,
4si, 5si, etc).
1. Turn the printer off,
and then turn the printer
on. 2. Verify the
environmental thermistor
An environmental
58.2 PRINTER cable is securely
thermistor (TH3) failure
ERROR connected. 3. Replace the
occurred.
environmental thermistor.
4. If the error persists,
replace the engine
controller board.
1. Turn the printer off,
and then turn the printer
on. 2. Check and reseat
the fuser and toner
A main motor error cartridge to make sure
occurred. X description: 0 = they are not hindering
59.X PRINTER
Motor error 1 = Motor gear movement in the
ERROR
startup error 2 = Motor drive train. 3. Check the
rotation error main motors cable to
ensure that it is seated
properly. 4. If the error
persists, replace the main
motor.

HP Laserjet Error Codes 60 and up

Message on
Additional
printer Display What it means. What to do.
comments.
Panel
There is a problem with the
printer memory. The X
1. Reseat the specified
62.X PRINTER value refers to the location
DIMM. 2. Replace the
ERROR of the problem: 0 = Internal
specified DIMM
memory 1 to 4 = DIMM
slots 1, 2, 3, or 4
64 PRINTER A scan buffer error 1. Turn the printer off, and
 then turn the printer on. 2.
ERROR alternates Perform a cold reset. 3. If
with CYCLE occurred the message persists,
POWER replace the formatter or
firmware DIMM.
Press GO to clear the
An error occurred in an message. If the message
66.XX.YY On 5si, 8000,
external paper-handling will not clear: 1. Turn the
[TYPE] 8100 check the
device. 1st X = Device printer off, and then turn
FAILURE C-link hook
number in chain 2nd X = the printer on. 3. Check
alternates with up. Also check
Device type 1 Input 2 and reseat all cables
CHECK CABLES the external
Output 3 Stapler/stacker between the printer and the
AND CYCLE paper handling
unit YY = Device specific specified device. 4. Reseat
POWER PCA.
error the external paperhandling
device. 5. Replace the unit.
1. Print a configuration
page and check the printer
settings to determine which
An error occurred in the
values have changed. 2.
printer non-volatile
68 NVRAM Hold down CANCEL JOB
memory (NVRAM) and
ERROR CHECK while turning the printer
one or more printer settings
SETTINGS on. This will clean up the
has been reset to its factory
NVRAM by removing old
default
areas that are not being
used. 3. Replace the
formatter.
1. Print a configuration
page and check the printer
settings to determine which
An error occurred in the
values have changed. 2.
68 NVRAM printers NVRAM and one
Hold down CANCEL JOB
FULL CHECK or more printer settings has
while turning the printer
SETTINGS been reset to its factory
on. This will clean up the
default.
NVRAM by removing old
areas that are not being
used.
68.X
An error occurred in the
PERMANENT Print a configuration page
printers permanent storage
STORAGE and check the printer
and one or more printer
ERROR alternates settings to determine which
settings has been reset to its
with CHECK values have changed.
factory default.
SETTINGS
68.X The printers permanent 1. Print a configuration
PERMANENT storage is full. Some page and check the printer
STORAGE FULL settings might have been settings to determine which
reset to the factory defaults. values have changed. 2.
Hold down CANCEL JOB
 while turning the printer
on. This will clean up the
permanent storage by
removing old areas that are
not being used.
69.X PRINTER
A temporary printing error 1. Turn the printer off, and
ERROR alternates
occurred. X description: 0 = then turn the printer on. 2.
with CYCLE
The duplex mechanism has Reseat the duplexer. 3.
POWER TO
failed Replace the duplexer
CONTINUE
79 SERVICE The printer detected an 1. Press CANCEL JOB to
[XXXX] error. clear the print job from the
printer memory. 2. Turn
the printer off, and then
turn the printer on. 3. Try
printing a job from a
different software
application. If the job
prints, go back to the first
application and try printing
a different file. (If the
message only appears with
a certain software
application or print job,
contact the software
vendor for assistance.) 4. If
the message persists with
different software
applications and print jobs,
disconnect all cables to the
printer that connect it to
the network or printer. 5.
Turn the printer off. 6.
Remove all memory
DIMMs or third-party
DIMMs from the printer.
(Do not remove the
firmware DIMM in the
lowest DIMM slot.) 7.
Remove all EIO devices
from the printer. 8. Turn
the printer on. 9. If the
error no longer exists,
install each DIMM and
EIO device one at a time,
making sure to turn the
printer off and back on as
you install each device. 10.
 Replace a DIMM or EIO
device if you determine
that it causes the error. 11.
Remember to reconnect all
cables that connect the
printer to the network or
computer. 12. If the error
persists, replace the
firmware DIMM. 13.
Replace the formatter.
For trouble shooting 79 and Remove all external I/O
80 errors you want to devices (JetDirect,
79 & 80 errors -
determine if external I/O memory, etc.) and see if
general info.
devices are the cause or if it problem persists. If not,
is the formatter. replace the formatter.
The EIO accessory in slot
[z] has encountered a 1. Turn the printer off, and
critical error. [z] then turn the printer on. 2.
description: 1 = EIO slot 1 Turn the printer off, reseat
The printer detected an the EIO accessory in slot
error with the EIO [z], and then turn the
8X.YYYY EIO accessory. 2 = EIO slot 2 printer on. 3. Turn the
[Z] ERROR The printer detected an printer off, remove the EIO
error with the EIO accessory from slot [z],
accessory. 6 = EIO slot 1 install it in a different EIO
The EIO accessory detected slot, and turn the printer
an error. 7 = EIO slot 2 on. 4. Replace the EIO
The EIO accessory detected accessory in slot [z].
an error.

HP Laserjet Error Codes A-E

Message on
Additional
printer Display What it means. What to do.
comments.
Panel
ACCESS The control panel Ask the network Perform a cold reset.
DENIED MENUS function you are administrator to unlock the This will reset the
LOCKED trying to use has function. printer to factory
been locked by the defaults. If a JetDirect
network network card is
administrator to installed it will also
prevent unauthorized reset the IP address
access. and other settings so
you might want to
remove the JetDirect
before performing the
 cold reset.
1. Ensure that the right-
angle power cord that
Not all printers will
shipped with the printer is
require a right angle
being used. 2. Turn the
power cord but it is
printer off. 3. Remove and
ESSENTIAL for
reinstall the duplexer. 4.
BAD DUPLEXER The duplexer is not those that need it. On
Turn the printer off and
CONNECTION correctly installed. printers like the 4000,
back on. 5. If the message
4050, and 4100 the
persists, make sure the
duplexer will not
duplexer is connected and
install correctly with a
the connector is not
standard power cord.
damaged. 6. Replace the
duplexer.
. 1. Check the doors and
paper guides and close any
CHECK INPUT The optional input that are open. 2. If doors For 5si, 8000, 8100
DEVICE tray cannot feed and trays are closed, check series make sure C-
alternates with print media to the tabs and sensor levers in link cable is correctly
PAPER PATH printer because a the tray for proper hooked up. Also on
OPEN PLEASE door or paper guide operation. Replace any the 5si check the
CLOSE IT is open defective tabs or sensors. paper accessory PCA.
3. Replace the PCA
controller in the feeder.
CHECK OUTPUT 1. Ensure the optional
DEVICE The optional output output device is fully For 5si, 8000, 8100
alternates with device is not seated and properly series make sure C-
CLOSE OUTPUT properly connected installed. 2. Check any link cable is correctly
DELIVERY to the printer. doors on the output device hooked up.
PATH and verify they are closed.
The EIO disk had a 1. Reseat the EIO disk. 2.
DISK DEVICE A bad formatter could
critical failure or Remove the EIO disk and
FAILURE also cause this error.
fatal error. replace it with a new one.
requested operation
could not be
1. Check the file name and
DISK FILE performed (for
the directory name. 2.
OPERATION example, attempting
Reseat the EIO disk. 3.
FAILED to download a file to
Retry the operation.
a nonexistent
directory).
The EIO disk is
Disable the write
DISK IS WRITE protected, and no
protection through HP
PROTECTED new files can be
Resource Manager.
written to it.
EIO DISK [x] EIO disk is not 1. Reseat the EIO disk in
NOT working correctly slot [X]. 2. Remove and
 replace the EIO disk in slot
FUNCTIONAL
[X].
1. Load the requested
envelope type and size into
the envelope feeder. 2.
Make sure the envelope
A job has been sent
size and type are set
to the envelope
correctly from the paper-
feeder and the feeder
handling menu in the
ENV FEEDER is empty, the wrong
printer control panel. 3.
LOAD [TYPE] size is loaded in the
Press GO if the desired
[SIZE] feeder, or the type
envelope is already loaded
and size are set
in the feeder. 4. Press
incorrectly on the
-VALUE+ to scroll
control panel.
through other available
types and sizes. 5. Press
SELECT to accept the
alternate type or size.
In response, you can take
either of the following
actions: 1. Press SELECT
to accept the current
envelope size. 2. Press
-VALUE+ to change the
The printer is asking size and then press
ENVELOPE
what size envelopes SELECT to accept the new
FEEDER SIZE =
have been loaded in size. If you do not press
[xxxxx]
the envelope feeder. any buttons, the message
disappears in about one
minute. Note Changing the
size here changes the
default for the
envelopefeeder size in the
paper-handling menu.
The printer has
received a job under
You can take either of the
the following
following actions: 1. Press
conditions: The
SELECT to accept the
envelope type the
ENVELOPE paper type and then press
job requested is not
FEEDER TYPE = GO. 2. Press +VALUE- to
available in the
[xxxxx] change the type, press
printer. Envelopes
SELECT to accept the new
have been placed in
type, and then press GO to
the envelope feeder
continue.
(thus triggering the
paper sensor).
HP Laserjet Error Codes F-M
Message on
Additional
printer Display What it means. What to do.
comments.
Panel
1. Delete all unnecessary
files from the EIO disk and
then try again. Use HP
Resource Manager to
download or delete files and
FILE SYSTEM
The disk file system is full. fonts. (See the software help
IS FULL
for more information.) 2.
Advise the customer to
increase the permanent
storage (use a larger EIO
disk or add a RAM DIMM).
1. Reseat the flash DIMM
FLASH and ensure it is locked into The formatter
The flash DIMM had a
DEVICE place. 2. Remove the flash could also be
critical or fatal failure.
FAILURE DIMM and replace it with a bad.
new one.
The requested operation
1. Check the file name and
FLASH FILE could not be performed (for
the directory name. 2.
OPERATION example, attempting to
Reseat the flash DIMM. 3.
FAILED download a file to a
Retry the operation.
nonexistent directory).
Delete unnecessary files
from the flash DIMM and
FLASH FILE try again. Use HP Resource
SYSTEM IS The flash file system is full. Manager to download or
FULL delete files and fonts. (See
the software help for more
information.)
FLASH IS The flash DIMM is Disable the write protection
WRITE protected and no new files through HP Resource
PROTECTED can be written to it. Manager.
HP TONER The printer has detected that 1. Make sure the toner
DETECTED the toner cartridge is not a cartridge is a genuine HP
alternates with genuine HP toner cartridge toner cartridge. A non-HP
PRESS GO TO because it does not see or toner cartridge will produce
CONTINUE recognize the toner this error. Any printer repair
cartridges identification required as a result of using
(model, manufacturing date, non-HP toner is not covered
and serial number). under the printer warranty.
2. If the HP toner cartridge
is new, the Elabel (cartridge
 memory) is missing or has
been tampered with. 3. If the
HP toner cartridge is used,
the printer will not
recognize the cartridge until
20 pages have been printed.
After 20 pages have been
printed, the error message
disappears. 4. If the HP
toner cartridge is used, and
the error message remains
after 20 pages have been
printed, the cartridge has
previously run out of toner.
Replace the toner cartridge.
1. Turn the printer off. 2.
Disconnect the cable to the
An input paper-handling
input paper handling devices
device has a condition that
and then reconnect it. 3.
needs attention before
Ensure the device is
INPUT DEVICE printing can resume. 1st X =
properly connected and any
CONDITION Device number in chain 2nd
doors or paper guides are
[XX.YY] X= Device type (three
properly closed. 4. Turn the
types): 1 = Input 2 = Output
printer on. 5. See the
3 = Stapler/stacker unit YY
documentation that came
= Device specific error
with the paper-handling
device for assistance.
1. Turn the printer power
The printer is unable to off. Install or reinsert the
INSTALL print the current job because duplexer and ensure it is
DUPLEXER the duplexer is not installed fully seated. 2. Ensure the
or not inserted correctly. right-angle power cord is
used for the printer.
The high
The toner cartridge has been
INSTALL voltage power
removed and must be Reinstall the toner cartridge
TONER supply might
reinstalled for printing to and ensure it is fully seated.
CARTRIDGE also cause this
continue.
error.
1. Reinsert the specified
The printer is unable to tray. 2. Check for damaged
print the current job because tabs on the right side of the
INSTALL
the specified tray [X] is tray. 3. Check for damaged
TRAY [X]
open or not inserted tray sensor switches in the
correctly printer. 4. Replace the PCA
controller in the feeder
LOADING Programs and fonts can be Wait for the program to
PROGRAM stored on the printers file load.
 system. At startup time,
these entities are loaded into
RAM. (These entities can
take a long time to load into
[NUMBER]
RAM depending on the size
alternates with
and number of entities
DO NOT
being loaded.) The
POWER OFF
<NUMBER> specifies a
sequence number indicating
the current program being
loaded.
1. Load the requested paper
One of the following into tray 1. 2. Press GO (or
If manual feed
occurred: - A manual feed READY on older printers) if
was not what
was requested.-There is no the desired paper is already
MANUALLY you were
media in tray 1.- The wrong loaded in tray 1. 3. Press
FEED [TYPE] expecting,
size of media is loaded. - -VALUE+ to scroll through
[SIZE] check your
The control panel is not set other available types and
software
for the size and type of sizes. 4. Press SELECT to
settings.
media loaded. accept the alternate type or
size.
There is no available
memory in the printer. The
current job might not print
MEMORY Press GO to continue. Add
correctly and some
FULL STORED more memory to the printer
resources (such as
DATA LOST or to simplify the print job
downloaded fonts or
macros) might have been
deleted.
The printer changed its
memory settings because it
did not have enough
memory to use the previous
MEMORY settings for I/O buffering Press GO to continue. Add
SETTINGS and resource saving. This more memory to the printer
CHANGED usually occurs after or to simplify the print job
removing memory from the
printer, adding a duplexer,
or adding a printer
language.
The printer did not have
enough free memory to
MEMORY Press GO to continue. Add
print the entire job. The
SHORTAGE more memory to the printer
remainder of the job will
JOB CLEARED or to simplify the print job
not print and will be cleared
from memory.
HP Laserjet Error Codes N-R
Message on printer Additional
What it means. What to do.
Display Panel comments.
Press GO or READY or
The printer is
OFFLINE ONLINE to place the printer
offline
online.
Also, the output
sensor could be
OUTPUT BIN FULL
The output bin is out of alignment,
alternates with Remove the sheets from the
full and needs to or the
CLEAR PAPER output bin.
be emptied. photosensor for
FROM [BINNAME]
the output bin
could be bad.
1. Turn the printer off to keep
the media from wrapping more
firmly around the fuser. 2.
Open the top cover and
Print media is
PAPER WRAPPED remove the toner cartridge. 3.
wrapped around
AROUND FUSER Remove all the visible media.
the fuser.
4. Leave the printer turned off
and remove the fuser to
remove any remaining print
media.
To ensure Install the printer maintenance
optimum print kit. You must reset the
quality, the printer maintenance page count after
PERFORM
prompts the performing printer
PRINTER
customer to have maintenance. Note The printer
MAINTENANCE
routine maintenance kit is a
maintenance consumable item and is not
installed. covered under warranty
The printer is
PROCESSING conducting the Wait for the job to finish. This
CLEANING PAGE manual cleaning- can take up to 2.5 minutes.
page process.
If the printer
"hangs up" on
Wait for the job to finish. This
The printer is processing a job
PROCESSING JOB can take several minutes for a
processing a job. then it could be a
complex print job.
bad formatter
board.
The RAM disk
RAM DISK 1. Reseat the RAM disk. 2.
had a critical or
DEVICE FAILURE Replace the RAM disk.
fatal failure.
 The requested
operation could
not be performed 1. Check the filename and
RAM DISK FILE
(for example, directory name. 2. Reseat the
OPERATION
attempting to RAM disk. 3. Retry the
FAILED
download a file to operation.
a nonexistent
directory).
1. Delete unnecessary files and
then try again, or turn the
printer off, and then turn the
printer on to delete all files on
the device. (Delete files using
HP Resource Manager or
another software utility. See
the software online help for
RAM DISK FILE The RAM disk
more information.) 2. If the
SYSTEM IS FULL file system is full.
message persists, increase the
size of the RAM disk. Change
the RAM disk size from the
configuration menu on the
printer control panel. HP
Resource Manager can also be
used to increase or decrease
the RAM disk size.

HP Laserjet Error Codes S-Z

Message on
Additional
printer Display What it means. What to do.
comments.
Panel
1. Press GO to continue.
The printer had to
(The print quality of these
SHORTAGE compress the job to fit it in
pages might not be
PAGE available memory. Some
acceptable.) Add more
SIMPLIFIED data loss might have
memory to the printer or to
occurred.
simplify the print job
RAM DISK IS RAM disk is protected, and
Disable the write protection
WRITE no new files can be written
through HP JetAdmin.
PROTECTED to it.
TONER LOW The message first appears If the printer has stopped, The high
when about 15 percent of you can resume printing by voltage power
the toner is remaining in pressing GO for each job. supply could
the toner cartridge (about also cause this
1,500 pages remaining for error.
the 10,000-page cartridge
 and about 900 pages
remaining for the 6,000-
page cartridge at five
percent coverage).
Depending on how the
printer has been configured
in the configuration menu,
it will either continue to
print or stop.
The toner cartridge has run
out of toner. Depending on
how the printer has been
configured, it will either The high
If the printer has stopped,
continue to print or stop. voltage power
you can resume printing by
TONER OUT Due to the resolution of the supply could
pressing GO for each job.
toner level sensor, it is also cause this
Replace toner cartridge.
possible that a small error.
amount of toner (less than
one percent) might still be
present in the cartridge.
1. Load the empty tray (x)
to clear the message. If you
do not load the specified
The specified tray is
tray, the printer will
empty, but the current job
continue printing from the
does not need this tray in
next available tray, and the
TRAY [X] EMPTY order to print correctly. If
message remains. 2. If the
[TYPE] [SIZE] this message appears and
message remains after the
the tray contains print
specified tray is loaded,
media, a sensor could be
check sensor arm flags for
damaged.
damage and be sure they
move freely. 4. Replace
defective paper out sensors.
Make sure the
This message occurs for 1. Make sure that all three
paper tray is
the following reasons: Tray paper size adjustments have
set for the
TRAY [x] LOAD 2, 3, or 4 was requested, been made. Also make sure
proper size.
[TYPE] [SIZE] but the tray is empty. Tray that the type has been set at
Also you
where x is tray 2, 3, 2, 3, or 4 was requested, the control panel. 2. Load
might need to
or 4 but the adjustments are not the requested media into an
replace the
set for the requested type indicated tray. Ensure the
cassette size
or size. tray is fully seated.
PCA.
TRAY 1 LOAD The print job has requested Load the requested print
[TYPE] [SIZE] a size and/or type of media media into tray 1 (or any
that is not loaded. other desired tray). - Ensure
that the trays are correctly
adjusted for size. - The tray
 type settings (and size for
tray 1) must be set from the
paper-handling menu. If
this message appears and
the correct media is loaded:
- Ensure that all paper size
adjustments have been
properly performed (see
page 220). - Ensure the tray
type setting is correct in the
paper-handling menu. -
Check the size tabs on the
right side of the tray. -
Check the size switches
and paper sensors. - Ensure
the tray is fully seated.
In response, you can take
either of the following
actions: 1. Press SELECT
to accept the paper size. 2.
Press -VALUE+ to change
the size and then press
SELECT to accept the new
size. The printer will first
display the TRAY 1 TYPE
The printer is asking what
TRAY 1 SIZE = = XXXX message (see the
size of media has been
[xxxx] description of that
loaded in tray 1.
message). If you do not
press any buttons in the
time-out period (about one
minute), it displays this
TRAY 1 SIZE = XXXX
message. Changing the size
here changes the default for
tray 1 paper size in the
paper-handling menu.
TRAY 1 TYPE = The printer has received a You can take either of the
[xxxx] job under the three following actions: 1. Press
following conditions: - The SELECT to accept the
media type requested by paper type. 2. Press
the job is not available in -VALUE+ to change the
the printer. - Tray 1 has type and then press
been set for CASSETTE. - SELECT to select the new
Media has been placed in type. Note Changing the
tray 1 (thus triggering tray type here changes the
1s paper sensor). If you do default for tray 1 media
not press any buttons, the type in the paper-handling
message disappears in menu. If you do not do
 anything during the time-
out period (about one
about one minute).
minute), the printer will
print on the media in tray 1.
Memory or file system 1. Reseat RAM DIMMs
UNABLE TO failures would not allow a and/or the EIO hard disk. 2.
MOPY JOB mopy job to occur. Only Install additional memory
one copy will be produced. or an EIO hard disk.
1. Reseat RAM DIMMs
Memory or file system
UNABLE TO and/or the EIO hard disk. 2.
failures would not allow
STORE JOB Install additional memory
the print to store the job.
or an EIO hard disk.
An external paper-handling
device detected an
UNSUPPORTED Verify the media meets the
unsupported media size.
SIZE IN TRAY supported size
The printer will go offline
[yy] specifications
until the condition is
corrected.
If the requested media size 1. Press -VALUE+ to scroll
or type is not loaded, the through the available types
USE [TYPE]
printer asks if it should use and sizes. 2. Press SELECT
[SIZE] INSTEAD?
another size or type to accept the alternate type
instead. or size.

Laserjet print defects - Light Print

We take a lot of technical support calls and one of the challenges is in interpreting how
people describe print defects. What one person calls a smudge or fuzzy print, another calls
light print, and another calls ghosted image. When diagnosing a print defect it is always best
if we have a scanned copy of the print defect; faxes dont work very well because of the low
resolution. If we can see the print defect and ask a few process of elimination questions, it
makes it easier to narrow down the source of the problem. The following article covers the
most common sources of light print in laser printers.

Common sources of light print:

1. toner cartridge
2. transfer roller
3. fuser
4. laser scanner mirror and lenses
5. electronic problems and power supply problems (rare)

Empty toner cartridge or defective toner cartridge.

An empty toner cartridge is by far the most common reason for light print and it amazes us
how often people forget to swap toners to see if this is the problem. You may simply be out
of toner. Dont rely on the printers toner level indicators since they are not always accurate.
You also may have a defective toner cartridge. There are a lot of poorly remanufactured
toners being sold so dont be surprised if this is the cause of the problem. Even brand new
Genuine HP toners are occasionally defective. For the record we still recommend quality
remanufactured (compatible) toners, but thats a different article.

If you have a color laserjet you will have four toner cartridges instead of one which makes it
a little harder to find which one is the problem. Some of the better color laserjets have a
feature to defeat the toner check when the printer starts up. This will allow you to print with
less than four toners installed, or swap positions of the toners to help determine which one is
bad through process of elimination.

Transfer roller - black and white printers

The transfer roller holds a charge that is opposite of that of the toner and helps transfer, or
pull, the toner off of the cartridges photosensitive drum onto the paper. If the transfer roller
is defective or positioned incorrectly you can get light print because all of the toner isnt
getting pulled off the drum.

You may have a bad transfer roller. Never use any kind of liquid to clean the transfer roller.
If you must, blow it off or wipe it with a dry, lint-free cloth. Any liquids or solvents could
change the electrical properties of the roller. Also, try to handle the transfer roller from the
ends, as oils from your fingers could be detrimental to the surface of the transfer roller. Some
people recommend using gloves when handling the transfer roller but unless you just ate a
greasy pepperoni pizza, you should be fine. Make sure your hands are clean and try to
minimize touching the surface of the transfer roller.

If the transfer roller isnt seated properly or the clips that hold the transfer roller in place are
broken you can get light print, especially on the side of the page where the transfer roller has
too wide of a gap between it and the photo sensitive drum. Use the little blue hook tool that
came with the transfer roller to remove it. If you use a screwdriver and try to pry the transfer
roller out you risk breaking the tabs that hold the transfer roller collar in place. When the
transfer roller is properly installed it should be flat and springy when you push down on the
right and left side. If the tabs that hold the transfer roller are broken you have to replace the
transfer assembly. This is a huge job. We recommend calling tech support to verify this is the
problem or send the printer in for repair.

Also, if you had a printer shipped or just bought a printer and it was shipped to you, the
transfer roller can pop out during shipping. We take measures to secure the transfer roller in
shipping but UPS & Fedex really bang boxes around in transit. The transfer roller can still
pop out and we include instructions with our printers for re-installing the transfer roller if that
has happened.

Transfer process for color laserjets

Color laserjets are a bit trickier to troubleshoot in regards to light print than black and white
printers. The transfer process involves four toners instead of one. Most color laserjets have a
transfer belt (ITB) and some designs separate the photosensitive drum from the toner
cartridges. If you have already eliminated defective toners as the source you may have to
replace the transfer belt or imaging drum if your printer has one. With all of the variations in
color laserjet design, its hard to give specifics, but in general, transfer belts, sometimes
called transfer assemblies, and imaging drums are consumable supply items and easy to
replace.

Fuser

The fuser is the part of the printer that bonds toner to the paper through heat and pressure.
Fusers DO NOT have a built in supply of toner, they only bond toner that is already on the
paper. Therefore fusers can not cause light print, unless the toner is sticking to the fusers
upper roller. If that happens you usually get a ghosted image of the print repeated down the
page at an interval that is the circumference of the upper fuser roller. Another print defect we
see from fusers is in the plastic sleeve designs, especially laserjet 4200 series. If the sleeve
tears, youll get smeared toner down the length of the page, often preceded by bits of plastic
film coming out of the printer.

To check if the fuser is causing the problem you can replace the fuser (duh); if you dont
have a spare fuser handy you can try a half-way test, which is easiest on black and white
printers, or you can remove the fuser and inspect the upper roller to see if toner is sticking to
it.

A little more about fusers.

All fusers have a pressure roller, usually the lower roller in the fuser, and a roller that
supplies the heat, usually the upper roller. In HP fusers, the upper roller can be an aluminum
barrel with a heating element in the center, or a plastic or metallic sleeve that rotates around a
ceramic heating element. The upper roller is in direct contact with the toner, melting it into
the fibers of the paper. A nonstick coating on the upper roller prevents toner from sticking to
it. As fusers start to wear, this nonstick coating wears down and you might find toner sticking
to the upper fuser roller and then getting re-deposited further down the page as a repeated
image (ghost image). Fusers are considered a supply item, like toner cartridges, except the
have a longer life than toner cartridges.

Electronic and power supply problems

These are very rare and if you are not a technician we recommend sending the printer in for
repair if you have eliminated all of the other possibilities, including dirty laser scanner
assembly mirrors (next paragraph). It is possible that a high voltage power supply or engine
control board is causing light print but it is very rare. Consult with tech support.

Laser scanner

The laser scanner assembly writes an image onto the photosensitive drum in the toner
cartridge. Again color printers may do this a little differently than black and white printers
but the concept is the same. If something blocks the laser from writing an image on the drum
then you get no print or light print in the area of the obstruction. If the mirrors or lenses in the
scanner assembly get dirty youll get light print. This usually manifests itself as light print on
one side of the page. If you suspect the scanner needs cleaning you should have eliminated
the toner, transfer roller, and fuser as possibilities because this is a time consuming
procedure.

In black and white printers the scanner is located underneath the top cover. In general youll
need to take the panels off the printer and the scanner is a black assembly with a yellow
caution label. Color printers have more than one scanner because they have more than one
toner cartridge. If you dont know how to access the scanner assembly look it up in the
service manual or send the printer in for repair. After you have removed the scanner you can
clean the optics as shown below. This part is not in the service manuals.

Here is a picture of a printer's laser scanner assembly -- probably its most distinguishing
mark is the bright yellow "CAUTION" label which warns not to open the laser scanner
assembly while the printer is in operation or while connected to a power source.

Here is a picture of the laser scanner assembly with the cover removed. Inside you will notice
the long clear plastic lenses and the long thin mirror. When dust and toner particles work
their way into the scanner assembly, the mirror and lenses might get dirty. The result is that
the laser beam cannot reflect properly onto the toner cartridge drum, and you will get areas of
light print.
To clean the laser scanner assembly, remove the scanner cover. Blow the dust out with
compressed air if you have it, then follow up with a dry Q-tip to gently wipe down the
mirror. We don't recommend any liquids as they may leave a residue.

Re-assemble the printer in the reverse order that you took it apart.
HP Laserjets -
Entering Service
Mode
Note: service mode is intended for repair
technicians and generally the only reason to
enter service mode is to change the
maintenance count.
HP Laserjet 8000, 8100, and 8150 Series service mode

1. Hold down SELECT and JOB CANCEL while powering on the printer, until all lights
are illuminated and the Display is blank. (If the Display Panel reads INTERNAL TEST at
this point, the keys were released too soon. Repeat this step until successful.)
2. Press MENU, then SELECT. The message SERVICE MODE is displayed briefly, then
the printer automatically begins an INTERNAL TEST. After several seconds, both Control
Panel Indicators turn off. (The printer may display WARMING UP if it has not warmed up
completely.) After the printer has warmed up and passed the self test, SERVICE MODE is
displayed.
3. Press MENU once to display SERVICE MENU.
4. Once it says SERVICE MENU press ITEM to scroll through service mode items.
To exit the Service Mode press GO.

HP Laserjet 5si service mode

1 Hold down [Items] and [+] while powering ON the printer, until all lights are illuminated
and the Display is blank. (If the Display Panel reads INTERNAL TEST at this point, the
keys were released too soon. Repeat this step until successful.)
2 Press [Select]. The message SERVICE MODE is displayed briefly, then the printer
automatically begins an INTERNAL TEST. After several seconds, both Control Panel
Indicators turn OFF. (The printer may display WARMING UP if it has not warmed up
completely.) After the printer has warmed up and passed the self test, SERVICE MODE is
displayed.
3. Press [Menus] once to display SERVICE MENU.
4. Once it says SERVICE MENU press ITEM to scroll through service mode items.
To exit the Service Mode press [On Line].

HP Laserjet 4V and 4MV service mode

1. Hold down the [On Line], [Form Feed], and [Enter] keys while powering ON the printer,
until all lights are illuminated and the Display Window is blank. (If the Display Window
reads 05 SELF TEST at this point, the keys were released too soon. Repeat this step until
successful.)
2. Press the [Form Feed] key, then the [Enter] key. The message SERVICE MODE is
displayed briefly, then the printer automatically begins a 05 SELF TEST.
After several seconds, both Control Panel Indicators turn OFF. (The printer may display 02
WARMING UP if it has not warmed up completely.) After the printer has warmed up and
passed the self test, SERVICE MODE is displayed.
3. Press [Menus] once to display SERVICE MENU.
4. Once it says SERVICE MENU press ITEM to scroll through service mode items.
To exit the Service Mode press the [On Line] key.

HP Laserjet 5000 series service mode

1. Hold down [Select] and [Cancel Job] while turning on the printer.
(If the control panel reads INITIALIZING, the keys were released too soon.)
2. Press the right side of the [Menu] key, then press [Select]. The message SERVICE
MODE is displayed.
3. Press [Menus] once to display SERVICE MENU.
4. Once it says SERVICE MENU press ITEM to scroll through service mode items.
To exit the Service Mode press [Go].

HP Laserjet 4100 series service mode

1 While turning on the printer, hold down SELECT and CANCEL JOB until all of the
lights on the control panel are lit.
2 Press the right side of the MENU key, then press SELECT. The message SERVICE
MODE temporarily appears and will reappear when the printer completes the initialization
process.
3. Press [Menus] once to display SERVICE MENU.
4. Once it says SERVICE MENU press ITEM to scroll through service mode items.
5. To exit the service mode, press GO.
Note: If READY appears in the control panel, the keys might have been released too soon,
or the wrong keys were pressed.

HP Laserjet 4000 and 4050 series service mode

1 Hold down [Select] and [Cancel Job] while turning on the printer until all of the lights on
the Control Panel are lit. (If the Control Panel reads INITIALIZING, the keys were released
too soon.)
2 Press the right side of the [Menu] key, then press [Select]. The message SERVICE
MODE is displayed.
3. Press [Menus] once to display SERVICE MENU.
4. Once it says SERVICE MENU press ITEM to scroll through service mode items.
5. To exit the Service Mode press [Go].

HP Laserjet 4 and 4 plus series service mode

1. Hold down the [On Line], [Form Feed], and [Enter] keys while powering ON the printer,
until the ON LINE and FORM FEED indicators are both illuminated and the Display
Window is blank. (If the Display Window reads 05 SELF TEST at this point, the keys were
released too soon. Repeat this step until successful.)
2. Press the [Form Feed] key, then the [Enter] key. The message SERVICE MODE is
displayed briefly, then the printer automatically begins a 05 SELF TEST. After several
seconds, the ON LINE and FORM FEED lights turn OFF.
(The printer may display 02 WARMING UP if it has not warmed up completely.) After the
printer has warmed up and passed the self test, SERVICE MODE is displayed.
3. Press [Menus] once to display SERVICE MENU.
4. Once it says SERVICE MENU press ITEM to scroll through service mode items.
5. To exit the Service Mode press the [On Line] key.
HP Laserjet 5 series service mode
1. Hold down the Menu+ and Value+ keys while powering on the printer. Hold the keys
down until SERVICE MODE is displayed.
2. The interrupted power-on self test is resumed. If the test completes successfully, the
message SERVICE MODE is displayed.
3. To exit service mode, press the Go button.

Laserjets 5P, 6P, 2100, 2200 and other printers that do not have a display panel (LEDs
only).
These models are designed as low volume personal printers and do not have a maintenance
count that needs to be reset or a readily accessible service mode. You can cold reset these
printers or completely reinitialize the NVRAM (nonvolatile ram) to factory defaults. Cold
resetting will reset most of the system parameters to factory defaults and reinitializing the
NVRAM will reset ALL system parameters to the factory defaults. Also, there is a service
mode for these printers but it is only accessible through software using PJL service mode
commands. Buy the printer's service manual if you want to learn more.

HP Laserjet 5L, 6L, 1100, 1200 do not have a service mode. You can only perform a cold-
reset and continuous self-test.

Multifunction printers - printers/copiers/fax/scanners (e.g. HP 3100, 3150, 3200, etc.)

Service modes in these printers are more extensive because of the scanning and faxing
features. We recommend buying the service manual for these units if you will be doing any
repairs beyond mechanical components.