HP Color LaserJet 2550L User Manual

							2. Complete one of these steps:
●If the jam has already partially entered the printer, see 
To clear jams from inside the
printer.
●If the jam is only in the input tray, remove the jammed sheet by pulling it out by the
visible edge. Realign all of the paper in the tray and go to step 4.
3. If you could not remove the jam from inside the printer or by pulling the sheet out of the
tray, grasp the jammed sheet from the outside of the printer and carefully pull it free.
4. Push the paper down to lock the metal paper lift plate into place (tray 2 only) and slide
the tray into the printer.
5.
After the jammed page has been removed, press  (GO). If the Attention light
continues blinking, then another jam is present. See 
To clear jams from inside the printer
and 
To clear jams from output areas.
ENWWClearing jams101
 
						

							To clear jams from output areas
CAUTIONJams in these areas might result in loose toner on the page. If you get toner on your clothes
or hands, wash them in cold water. (Hot water will set the toner into the fabric.)
1. Complete one of these steps:
●If the jammed media is not almost completely visible from the top output bin, go to
step 2.
●If the jammed media is almost completely visible, pull it carefully out of the printer
and go to the last step.
2. Open the rear output door.
3. If the leading edge of the sheet is visible from the rear opening, push down the two
green levers to release the fuser rollers, and carefully pull the sheet out. Close the rear
output door.
4. If the jam is too far into the printer to remove, turn off the printer and disconnect the
power cable.
102Chapter 7 Problem solvingENWW
 
						

							5. Rotate the locks on the fuser to the unlocked position.
6. Grasp the fuser handles and pull to remove the fuser from the printer.
WARNING!The parts on the internal surface of the fuser are very hot. To avoid burning yourself, do not
touch those parts.
7. Using both hands, slowly and steadily remove any print media from inside of the printer.
Then, carefully reinsert the fuser and secure the locks.
8. Reconnect the power cable and turn on the printer.
9.
Open the top cover, close it, and then press 
 (GO) if the Go light is flashing. If the
Attention light is still blinking, then another jam is present. See 
To clear jams from inside
the printer and To clear jams from input areas.
ENWWClearing jams103
 
						

							Solving print-media problems
For best results, make sure that the paper is of good quality, and free of cuts, nicks, tears,
spots, loose particles, dust, wrinkles, voids, and curled or bent edges.
For best-quality color printing, use a smooth type of paper. Generally, the smoother the
paper, the better the results, although coated and photo papers are not supported. For more
information, see 
Print-media specifications.
If you are unsure what type of paper you are loading (such as bond or recycled), check the
label on the package of paper.
The following problems with paper cause print quality deviations, jamming, or even damage
to the printer.
SymptomProblem with paperSolution
Poor print quality or toner adhesionThe paper is too moist, too rough, too
heavy or too smooth, or it is embossed
or from a faulty paper lot.Try another kind of paper, between
100 and 250 Sheffield, 4 to 6 percent
moisture content.
Dropouts, jamming, curlThe paper has been stored improperly.Store paper flat in its moisture-proof
wrapping.
The paper has variability from one side
to the other.Turn the paper over.
Excessive curlThe paper is too moist, has the wrong
grain direction, or is of short-grain
constructionOpen the rear output bin, or use long-
grain paper.
The paper varies from side-to-side.Turn the paper over.
Jamming, damage to printerThe paper has cutouts or perforations.Use paper that is free of cutouts or
perforations.
Problems with feedingThe paper has ragged edges.Use high-quality paper that is made for
laser printers.
The paper has variations from one side
to the other.Turn the paper over.
The paper is too moist, too rough, too
heavy or too smooth, has the wrong
grain direction, or is of short-grain
construction or it is embossed or from
a faulty paper lot.Try another kind of paper, between
100 and 250 Sheffield, 4 to 6 percent
moisture content.
Open the rear output bin, or use long-
grain paper.
●Do not use letterhead paper that is printed with low-temperature inks, such as those
used in some types of thermography.
●
Do not use raised or embossed letterhead.
●The printer uses heat and pressure to fuse toner to the paper. Make sure that any
colored paper or preprinted forms use inks that are compatible with this fusing
temperature (210° C or 410° F for 0.1 second).
CAUTION
Failure to follow these guidelines could cause jams or damage to the printer.
104Chapter 7 Problem solvingENWW
 
						

							Solving print-quality problems
If your document is printing but the quality is not what you expected, start by using the print-
quality checklist.
Print-quality checklist
General print-quality problems can be solved by using the following checklist:
1. Check the printer driver to make sure you are using the best available print-quality
option, or return to the default settings. See 
Changing the print quality.
2. Make sure that the paper or print media that you are using meets specifications. See
Print-media specifications. Generally, smoother paper provides better results, although
coated and photo papers are not supported.
3. If you are using a special print media such as labels, transparencies, or letterhead,
ensure that you have printed by Type. See 
Controlling print jobs.
4.
Print a Configuration page and Supplies Status page at the printer by pressing 
 (GO)
and 
 (CANCEL JOB) simultaneously.
●Check the Supplies Status page to see if any supplies are low or empty. No
information is provided for non-HP print cartridges.
●If the pages do not print correctly, the problem is with the hardware. Contact HP
Customer Care. See 
HP customer care or the flyer that came in the printer box.
5. Print a Demo page from the HP Toolbox. If the page prints, the problem is with the
printer driver. Try printing from the other printer driver. For example, if you are using the
PCL 6 printer driver, print from the PS printer driver.
6. Try printing from a different program. If the page prints correctly, the problem is with the
program from which you were printing.
7. Restart the computer and the printer and try printing again. If the problem is not
resolved, choose one of these options:
●If the problem is affecting all printed pages, see 
Solving issues with all printed
documents.
●If the problem is affecting only pages printed in color, see 
Solving issues with color
documents.
Solving issues with all printed documents
The following examples depict letter-size paper that has passed through the printer short-
edge first. These examples illustrate problems that would affect all pages that you print,
whether you print in color or in black only. The topics that follow list the typical cause and
solution for each of these examples.
ENWW Solving print-quality problems105
 
						

							Light print or fadeToner specksDropoutsVertical lines
Gray backgroundToner smear
Loose tonerRepetitive defects on
the front
Repetitive defects on
the backMisformed charactersCurl or wavePage skew
Wrinkles or creasesToner scatter outlineRandom image
repetition (light)
Random image
repetition (dark)
106Chapter 7 Problem solvingENWW
 
						

							Light print or fade
A vertical streak or an incorrect or faded color area appears on the page.
●The print media might not meet HP specifications (for example, the paper is too moist or
too rough). See 
Print-media specifications.
●One or more print cartridges are low. If you are using non-HP print cartridges, no
messages appear on the printer control panel or in the HP Toolbox.
●The imaging drum might be low or empty. Print the Supplies Status page to check the
remaining life. Replace the imaging drum if it is low or empty.
●If none of the print cartridges or the imaging drum is low or empty, remove the print
cartridges one at a time and inspect the toner roller in each to see if the roller is
damaged. If so, replace the print cartridge.
●If the light printing is on the left side of the page, the carousel might be dislocated.
Service is required.
●If the problem is not resolved, see 
If the problem is not resolved.
Toner specks
Specks of toner occur randomly on the page.
●The print media might not meet HP specifications. For example, the paper is too moist or
too rough. See 
Print-media specifications.
●The paper path might need cleaning. See Cleaning the printer.
●If the problem is not resolved, see 
If the problem is not resolved.
ENWW Solving print-quality problems107
 
						

							Dropouts
Faded areas, generally rounded, occur randomly on the page.
●A single sheet of print media might be defective. Try reprinting the job.
●The moisture content of the paper is uneven or the paper has moist spots on its surface.
Try different paper, such as high-quality paper intended for laser printers. See 
Print-
media specifications.
●The paper lot is flawed. The manufacturing processes can cause some areas to reject
toner. Try a different brand of paper, such as high-quality paper intended for laser
printers. See 
Print-media specifications.
●The imaging drum might be defective. See 
Repetitive defects on the front.
●If these steps do not correct the problem, contact HP Customer Care. See 
HP customer
care or the support flyer that came in the printer box.
●If the problem is not resolved, see 
If the problem is not resolved.
Vertical lines
Vertical streaks or bands appear on the page.
●One or more print cartridges are low or defective. Print the Supplies Status page to
check the remaining life. If you are using non-HP print cartridges, no messages appear
on the printer control panel or in the HP Toolbox.
●Clean the printer by using a cleaning page. See 
Cleaning the printer.
●Use the tools on the Troubleshooting tab of the HP Toolbox to correct the problem.
●If the problem is not resolved, see 
If the problem is not resolved.
108Chapter 7 Problem solvingENWW
 
						

							Gray background
The amount of background toner shading becomes unacceptable.
●Perform a calibration. See Calibrating the printer.
●Use a different paper with a lighter basis weight. See 
Print-media specifications.
●Check the printer environment. Very dry (low humidity) conditions can increase the
amount of background shading.
●One or more print cartridges are low. If you are using non-HP print cartridges, no
messages appear on the printer control panel or in the HP Toolbox.
●The imaging drum might be low or empty. Print the Supplies Status page to check
remaining life. Replace the imaging drum if it is low or empty.
●If the problem is not resolved, see 
If the problem is not resolved.
Toner smear
Toner smears appear on the leading edge of the paper.
●Check the print media type and quality. Use a different media, such as high-quality
paper intended for laser printers. See 
Print-media specifications.
●If toner smears appear on the leading edge of the paper, the media guides are dirty, or
debris has accumulated in the print path. See 
Cleaning the printer.
●The imaging drum might be low or empty. Check the status of the imaging drum by
using the printer control panel or the HP Toolbox and replace the imaging drum if it is
low or empty.
●If the problem is not resolved, see 
If the problem is not resolved.
ENWW Solving print-quality problems109
 
						

							Loose toner
The toner smears easily when touched.
●In the printer driver, select the Paper tab and set Type is to match the type of media on
which you are printing. Print speed might be slower if you are using heavy paper.
●Check the paper type and quality. Use a different paper, such as high-quality paper
intended for laser printers. See 
Print-media specifications.
●Clean the inside of the printer. See 
Cleaning the printer.
●The fuser might be damaged. Contact HP Customer Care. See 
HP customer care or the
support flyer that came in the printer box.
●If the problem is not resolved, see 
If the problem is not resolved.
Repetitive defects on the front
Marks repeatedly appear at even intervals on the printed side of the page.
●In the printer driver, select the Paper tab and set Type is to match the type of paper on
which you are printing. Print speed might be slower if you are using heavy paper.
●Clean the printer. See 
Cleaning the printer.
●Use the tools on the Troubleshooting tab of the HP Toolbox to correct the problem.
●The imaging drum might be defective. Replace the imaging drum.
●The fuser might be damaged. Contact HP Customer Care. See 
HP customer care or the
support flyer that came in the printer box.
●If the problem is not resolved, see 
If the problem is not resolved.
110Chapter 7 Problem solvingENWW