In this article, we will guide you on how to fix the HP printer error e4 within minutes.
Table of Contents
Solution to Fix HP Printer Error e4
The error e4 occurs to indicate that there is a paper jam in the HP printer. When this happens, apart from the error being displayed, the printer’s Resume light will also blink.
Sometimes, there might be no real paper jam. Hence, the steps below will work for both false and real paper jams.
1. Clear Paper Jam underneath your HP Printer
How to Clear Paper Jam underneath your HP Printer
Follow the steps below to clear any paper jam underneath your HP printer:
Step 1: Turn off your HP printer.
Step 2: Unplug the power cable from your printer.
Step 3: Your USB cable should also be disconnected from your printer.
Step 4: Return the input tray to your printer.
Step 5: Close the extender of the output tray, then push the tray into your printer.
Step 6: Turn your printer to give you access to the base.
To avoid any damage, hold the input tray and scanner lid with your hands before you turn the printer.
Step 7: Locate the tabs on both sides of the printer’s cleanout door.
Step 8: Pull those tabs to open the cleanout door.
Step 9: Find and remove any paper jammed inside your HP printer.
Step 10: With the aid of a flashlight, examine if there are any torn paper pieces inside the printer’s cleanout area.
Step 11: If you find any piece of paper, remove it.
Step 12: Close the printer’s cleanout door gently. Ensure that the latches return to their place with a snap.
Step 13: Return your HP printer to its regular position.
Step 14: Plug the power and USB cables back into your printer.
Step 15: Turn on your printer.
2. Check other Areas for Paper Jam
There are several areas in your HP printer where a paper jam can occur. Hence, we will guide you on how to clear paper jams from these areas to enable you to resolve the error completely.
How to Clear Paper Jam from the Print Input Tray
Follow the steps below to clear paper jam from the print input tray:
Step 1: Take out the paper stacked in the print input tray.
Step 2: Press the printer’s “Cancel” button to try clearing the jam automatically.
If this doesn’t work, clear it manually by following the steps below.
Step 3: Remove any paper and torn pieces jammed in the printer’s input tray.
We recommend you pull out the paper gently with your two hands to prevent the sheet from tearing.
Step 4: Ensure that the paper path doesn’t have any foreign objects in it.
Step 5: Load the tray with fresh paper.
Step 6: Press the printer’s “Resume” button to continue printing.
Step 7: Try printing a document.
If it prints, then the error has been resolved.
If it doesn’t print, move to the next printer area.
How to Clear Paper Jam from the Print Output Tray
Follow the steps below to clear paper jam from the print output tray:
Step 1: Remove any paper and torn pieces jammed in the printer’s input tray.
We recommend you pull out the paper gently with your two hands to prevent the sheet from tearing.
Step 2: Press the printer’s “Resume” button to continue printing.
Step 3: Try printing a document.
If it prints, then the error has been resolved.
If it doesn’t print, move to the next printer area.
How to Clear Paper Jam from the Cartridge Access Area
Follow the steps below to clear paper jam from the cartridge access area:
Step 1: Open the cartridge access lid.
When you do this, the carriage will move to the middle of your HP printer.
Step 2: Turn your printer off.
Step 3: Unplug the power cable from your printer.
Ensure that you unplug your power cable from the printer before you place your hand inside to prevent electric shock and injuries.
Step 4: Unplug other cables such as (USB and Ethernet) from your printer.
Step 5: With the aid of a flashlight, examine if there are any torn paper pieces inside the cartridge access area. If you find any piece of paper, remove it.
We recommend you pull out the paper gently with your two hands to prevent the sheet from tearing.
Step 6: If you discover that the carriage is in the middle of your printer, move it to the right by sliding it.
Step 7: Remove any objects or paper that is in the carriage path.
Step 8: Close the cartridge access lid.
Step 9: Plug the power cable back into your printer.
Step 10: Reconnect other cables to your HP printer.
Step 11: Turn on your HP printer.
Step 12: Try printing a document.
If it prints, then the error has been resolved.
If it doesn’t print, move to the next printer area.
How to Clear Paper Jam from the Document Feeder
Follow the steps below to clear paper jam from the document feeder:
Step 1: Raise the document feeder’s cover.
Step 2: Pull out the jammed paper gently.
In the event the jammed paper tears while it is being pulled, check the printer’s wheels and rollers for any torn paper inside your HP printer. If you fail to do this, it could lead to more jams.
Step 3: Cover the printer’s document feeder by pressing it down, and ensure it snaps firmly in place.
After doing the above, check if the error has been cleared; if it hasn’t, move to the step below.
If your HP printer is displaying any other error code, read this: HP Printer Errors and Solutions [Detailed] to learn how to solve the error.
3. Clean the Printer’s Paper Rollers using an Automated Tool
How to Clean HP Printer’s Paper Rollers Using an Automated Tool
Follow the steps below to clean your HP printer’s paper rollers using an automated tool:
Step 1: Turn your HP printer on.
Step 2: Remove the paper from the printer’s input tray.
Step 3: Press down your printer’s power button, and then press the button labeled “Cancel” thrice. Then press the button labeled “Start Copy color” seven times before letting go of the printer’s power button.
After doing the above, you will hear some noise from your HP printer for about one minute. Ensure that you wait for the noise to stop before you continue.
Now try printing a document. If it doesn’t print, move to the step below.
4. Clean the Printer’s Paper Rollers Manually
How to Clean HP Printer’s Paper Rollers Manually
Follow the steps below to clean your HP printer’s paper rollers manually:
Step 1: Turn your HP printer off.
Step 2: Remove the power cable and other cables such as USB and Ethernet from your printer.
Step 3: Raise the printer’s input tray.
Step 4: Raise and then hold the printer’s input tray shield.
Ensure that you don’t disengage the tray shield in the process. This shield prevents objects and debris from entering the paper path which could lead to paper jams.
Step 5: Look through the opened tray and locate the paper pick rollers (they are gray colored). If you can’t see the area properly, provide illumination via a flashlight.
Step 6: Lightly moisten a cotton swab and get rid of excess water by squeezing the swab.
Step 7: Press the cotton swab against the pick rollers, and then turn them upward using your fingers. Your pressure on the rollers should be moderate to ensure that dirt or dust that has built up is removed.
Step 8: Lower the tray shield.
Step 9: Wait for the paper rollers to get dried; it should take about 10 minutes.
Step 10: Reconnect all the cables that were removed earlier.
Step 11: Turn your printer on.
Now try printing a document. If it doesn’t print, move to the step below.
5. Reset your HP Printer
Sometimes, a false jam could lead to this error. Therefore, resetting your printer might fix the error.
To reset your HP printer, follow the instructions we shared earlier in this article under the “Reset your HP printer” subsection.
After you have reset your printer, try printing a document. If it fails to print, then move to the final step.
6. Service your HP Printer
To service your printer, contact HP. They will then fix a repair date for your device. If the product cannot be repaired, a replacement will be made provided the product is still under warranty.
If your printer’s warranty has expired, you will have to pay the repair fees.
