Last Updated on May 13, 2022 by Carlo Dach
Even though HP printers are reliable, they can fail at times as they are operating in a highly demanding environment. The most unfortunate situation is when printers fail at the most inopportune moment, and it is important to know how to fix some of the most common issues. The following are some of the common HP printer problems.
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Paper Jam
Paper Jam is one of the most common problems with any kind of printers including HP, and there can be a couple of reasons for this. It can be due to feeding the wrong type of paper, the paper being dirty or not uniformly smooth or it can be due to issues with the rollers feeding the paper. The first two can be easily fixed, while replacing the rollers for certain HP printers can be a difficult task. But, you must know that this requires the complete teardown of the printer. Besides, when fixing paper jam you must pull the paper in the direction of the paper path.
You must know that not all HP printers are equally susceptible to paper jam and it depends on the paper feeder mechanism. Printers where papers are held vertically and then pulled through the printers are more susceptible because they are not meant for heavy usage. Therefore, it is important on the part of the user to know about the paper feeding mechanism of the printer before buying it.
Faded Printing
Faded prints are again one of the commonest problems and there can be three reasons for it. The print density is low, the printer is low on toner or it is economode printing. Generally, the printer problems can be found by printer self-test in HP printers and there is a separate button for it. If it is due to economode then turn it off and if it is due to low toner volume, then remove the cartridge and shake it so that it is evenly distributed or you can replace it.
Ghosting
Ghosting is when the printer prints the image properly and there is a lighter copy of the image is printed elsewhere. This can be due to issues with the power supply and it can be tested by connecting a different printer to the power outlet. However, it can also be due to when printer parts such as the imaging kit or the drum are at the end of the lifecycle.
HP Printer Not Printing
Printer Displaying 50.4 Error Message
When the printer displays a 50.4 error message, then usually the reason is a problem with the power supply resulting in the HP printer not printing anything. This is more common among the newest HP laserjet printer models. The common cause can be the laser printer being connected to a UPS. To solve the issue, you can connect the printer directly to the wall outlet.
These are some of the general problems faced by HP printers and if the issues persist, then you must take it to a service center.
