HP Printer Making Noise but Not Printing [Solved]

In this article, we will guide you on how to fix the HP printer making noise but not printing problem.

Reason for the HP Printer Making Noise but Not Printing Problem

The HP printer making noise but not printing problem occurs as a result of the clutch actuator being disengaged from its rightful position. When this occurs, the only fix is to re-engage your HP printer’s clutch actuator.

If you are wondering how to go about this, you don’t have to worry as we will provide you with steps on how to perform this process.

Note: Before you start, ensure that all the ink cartridges are inserted into your printer.

Read this article: HP Printer Not Printing [Issues & Solutions] if you want to learn how to fix other HP printer not printing issues.

How to Re-engage your HP Printer’s Clutch Actuator – HP Printer Making Noise but Not Printing

To re-engage your HP printer’s clutch actuator to fix the HP printer making noise but not printing problem, do the following steps:

Step 1: Open your printer’s access door.

Step 2: Unplug your printer’s power cable from your printer.

Step 3: Take away the printer’s upper paper tray.

Step 4: Slide the printer’s carriage assembly to the right side.

Step 5: If you can’t slide the carriage assembly, look for the big black bar located above the large roller and push it down until it is released.

You should also do this step if you could move the carriage assembly.

Step 6: Lift the printer’s carriage assembly gently and then try to slide it again.

Step 7: Look at the printer’s left side for the metal gear assembly. You will find the clutch actuator (aka slider arm) above this gear assembly. If you look at the actuator’s right edge, you will find either a “tooth” or “arrow” that is pointing downwards.

The normal position of the printer’s actuator clutch arrow is the metal gear and plastic half-gear’s right area just beneath the actuator.

Step 8: Lift the printer’s clutch actuator arrow and move it to the plastic half-gear’s right area if it is found between the plastic half-gear and the metal gear assembly. When the arrow is in this position, the clutch actuator has been re-engaged correctly.

Step 9: Fix the printer’s upper paper tray back in place.

Step 10: Close your printer’s access door.

Step 11: Reconnect the printer’s power cable to your printer.

Step 12: Turn your printer on.

Step 13: Print out a self-test page.

If you don’t know how to do this, consult your printer’s user manual.

Step 14: If the problem persists, confirm that the ink cartridges in your printer are fixed securely in their slots.

Step 15: Try to print out a self-test page again.

After doing the steps above, check if the HP printer making noise but not printing problem is fixed.

If the problem persists, then you need to contact HP Customer Support for further assistance and possibly repair if the issue cannot be resolved via online support. In such a case, the customer support agent will schedule a date when a technician will come over to service and repair your printer.

Please note that this service is unavailable in some regions. Therefore, you need to confirm if this service is available in your region.

If it is, then you can enjoy free repair and even replacement of your HP printer provided it is still under warranty. However, if your printer is no longer under warranty, you will have to pay the repair fee, and if your printer needs to be replaced, you will have to pay to get a new one.

If the service is not available in your region, we recommend you contact a reputable technician to come and service your printer.

How to Prevent a Recurrence of the HP Printer Making Noise but Not Printing Problem

Do the following to prevent the clutch actuator from getting disengaged again:

i. Always turn off your HP printer before removing paper jam from the printer.

ii. Ensure that you install ink cartridges correctly into your printer. 

What if the HP printer making noise but not printing issue still recurs? Then you should use a different paper stack to prevent the likelihood of damage. You should also ensure that the paper is the right specification. If that doesn’t work, service the printer.