HP LaserJet Printers - Cleaning the Print Cartridge AreaThe print cartridge area does not need to be cleaned often. However, cleaning this area can improve the quality of printed sheets. Follow the steps below to clean the print cartridge area:

1. Before cleaning the printer, disconnect it from the power source and wait for the printer to cool.

Figure 1:  Power cord

2. Open the print cartridge door and remove the print cartridge.

Figure 2:  print cartridge door

CAUTION:

To prevent damage, do not expose the print cartridge to light. Cover the print cartridge if necessary. Also, do not touch the black sponge transfer roller inside the printer. Touching it can damage the printer.

3. Wipe the media path area and the print cartridge cavity with a dry, lint-free cloth.

Figure 3:  Media path area and print cartridge cavity

CAUTION:

Use only a dry, lint-free cloth to remove dust and toner. Using a vacuum or other device to clean inside the product can damage it.

4. Replace the print cartridge, and close the print cartridge door.5. Plug the power cord back into the printer.

HP LaserJet Series Printers - Toner from the Text of Documents Stored in a Plastic Binder Adheres or Sticks to the Surface of the Binder

Introduction Solving the problem

IntroductionDocuments printed using an HP LaserJet family printer are placed in a plastic (vinyl) binder (notebook) for storage. Over time, toner particles (from documents that come directly into contact with the surface of the binder) will adhere to the binder covers. The plastic (vinyl) that the binder is manufactured from contains "plasticizers" to aid in flexibility. These substances are volatile and tend to evaporate and migrate over time. They also act as a solvent when in contact with toner on a document. The toner particles are softened and become sticky. When the document comes into contact with the binder cover a portion of the soft toner particles tend to stick to it.

Solving the problemPlace a blank sheet of paper between the printed page and the cover of the binder. This will drastically reduce or eliminate toner adhesion because it allows air space between the document and the binder cover. This will help to disperse the plasticizers before they are allowed to come into contact with the document.

HP Color LaserJet and LaserJet Series Printers - Print Quality Defect When Manual Duplexing

Print quality defect, smudging, when manual duplexingWhen duplexing a job on an HP Color LaserJet or LaserJet series printer, the leading edge of the second page appears smudged along the leading edge when multiple pages are duplexed. This is the result of toner from the first image being wiped onto the separation pad when picking the page to print the second image. This arises if the first image has toner in the pick area (the area of the page that stops between the pick roller and separation pad). The pick process causes some of the toner from the first image to be deposited onto the separation pad. When the next page is picked, some of that toner from the separation pad gets deposited onto the first image creating the image defect. The first image does not have the defect since there is no toner on the separation pad when it is picked from the tray. The defect may or may not be seen on later pages when the second image is printed depending on the job. For example, multiple copies of a single page versus a job with unique images on each side of each page.Figure 1: Manual duplex PQ defect

Perform the following steps to troubleshoot this issue:

Change the fuser temperature by changing the paper type. The greatest success has been with the heavy media type; however, other media types may resolve the issue

Try changing the Optimize settings in the HP Toolbox or printer driver. Settings such as High Humidity may resolve the issue.

Try alternate paper from a fresh, unopened ream. Try a different type of paper that may have a more smooth texture.

Check the environment to determine if the unit is positioned under a window or near a vent. Try moving the printer to another room to determined if the issue is caused by environment.

Remove the unit from any power strips or UPS devices and plug directly into the wall.

If the printer has a 250-sheet tray (or other tray), print the first page from that tray then turn the page over and print from the manual feed tray. The pick roller from the 250-sheet tray (and other trays) has a lower pick force than the manual feed tray.

If possible, try lowering the image on the page. If the image has to have toner in the pick area, try to print those images second on the page.

HP LaserJet 1000 Product Family - Clearing Printer Media Jams

Typical media jam locations Removing a jammed page

Occasionally, media becomes jammed during a print job. Some of the causes of media jams include the following:

The input tray is loaded improperly or it is too full. The media does not meet HP specifications.

NOTE: When adding new media, remove all of the media from the input tray and straighten it together with the stack of new media. Do not fan media. Instead bend the stack of media in a horseshoe shape to break the ream. This helps prevent multiple sheets of media from feeding through the printer at one time, reducing media jams.

A media jam is indicated by software error messages and control panel light patterns.

Typical media jam locations

Input tray area: If the page is sticking out of the input tray, try to remove it gently without tearing the page. If there is any resistance, see "Removing a jammed page" below.

Figure 1: Input tray jam

Output path: If the page is sticking out of the output bin, try to remove it gently without tearing the page. If there is any resistance, see "Removing a jammed page" below.

Figure 2: Output path jam

print cartridge area: See "Removing a jammed page" below.

NOTE: There might be loose toner in the printer after a media jam. This toner cleans up after printing a few sheets.

Removing a jammed pageCAUTION:

Media jams might result in loose toner on the page. If toner gets on clothing, wipe the toner off with a dry cloth and wash the clothing in cold water. Hot water will permanently set the toner into the fabric.

1. Open the toner door and the straight-through output door.

Figure 3: Toner/straight-through output doors

2. Rotate the media jam release levers downward.

Figure 4: Media Jam release levers

CAUTION:

To prevent damage to the print cartridge, do not expose it to light.

3. Remove the print cartridge and set it aside.

Figure 5:  Removing print cartridge

4. With both hands, grasp the side of the media that is most visible (this includes the middle), and carefully pull it free from the printer. Make sure to check for jams in the print cartridge area (1) and the straight-through output path (2).

Figure 6:  Removing jam

1 - print cartridge area

2 - Straight-through output path

5. When the jammed media has been removed, replace the print cartridge, and close the toner door and the straight-through output door.

Figure 7: Replacing print cartridge and closing doors

NOTE: The media jam release levers automatically close when the straight-through output door is closed.

6. Reseat the Mylar in the top of the input tray area to avoid wrinkled pages. Reposition the black Mylar light shields back into the proper position by performing the following:

WARNING:

Failure to unplug the power cord from the printer could result in electric shock.

a. Unplug the power cord from the printer.b. Remove the paper and paper input tray.c. Insert hands, palms side up, into the paper input tray cavity (see Figure 3)

until the end of the cavity is felt.d. Bend fingers up to push the black Mylar light shields back into place. The

proper position of the black Mylar light shield will be flat.e. Reconnect the power cord.f. Print a self-test/configuration page to verify printer is functioning

correctly.

Figure 8: Paper Tray Cavity

NOTE: There are two black Mylar light shields, approximately 3.5 inches long, in the pickup assembly area of the printer. They are located on both sides of the pickup roller under the pickup roller rod. One or both of theses black Mylar shields can get tucked under, or partially bent when removing a paper jam from the paper input tray slot.

After clearing a media jam, it might be necessary to unplug the printer and plug it back in again. If the printer is still in an error state, contact HP Service and Support.