How Do I Fix a Cartridge Jam on an HP Printer?

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Hewlett-Packard printers provide you with efficient solutions for printing. Due to age and regular use, your printer may experience a cartridge jam. Purchasing a new printer or hiring a professional to clear the jam may not be a cost-effective solution. As an alternative, you can troubleshoot your printer and clear the cartridge jam yourself without the use of special tools, equipment or training.

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Step 1

Press the power button to turn the printer off. Wait one minute. Press the power button again to turn the printer back on. Print a self test report. If the cartridge jam message remains on the display proceed to the next step.

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Step 2

Remove any jammed paper through the rear access door of the printer. Skip this step if there is no jammed paper. Press the two release tabs on the left and right side and remove the rear access door. Carefully remove the jammed paper including any torn pieces from the roller. Replace the rear access door.

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Step 3

Press the power button to turn the printer on. Disconnect the power and USB or Ethernet cables from the rear of the printer. Lift the front access door until it locks into place. Remove any paper or foreign objects from the cartridge path.

Step 4

Manually move the cartridge back and forth from left to right. Reconnect the power cord. Press the power button to turn the printer back on if it does not turn on automatically. Print a self test report. If the jam remains, proceed to the next step.

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Step 5

Plug the printer directly into a wall outlet. Reconnect the USB or Ethernet cable. Attempt to print your document again. If the document still does not print, proceed to the next step.

Step 6

Press the power button to turn the printer off. Disconnect the power cord from the back of the printer. Remove the plug from the electrical outlet. Wait 30 seconds. Plug the power cord back into the electrical outlet. Reconnect the power cord to the back of the printer. Press the power button to turn the printer back on. Print a self test report. Contact HP if these steps do not resolve the cartridge jam.

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