HP Printer Not Picking Up Paper [Solved]

The HP printer not picking up paper issue is one that many HP printer users have complained about. Hence, in this article, we will provide you with solutions that will help you fix this issue.

Why Is My HP Printer Not Picking Up Paper? [Answered]

The following are the reasons why your HP printer won’t pick up paper:

i. Paper jam

ii. The paper feed isn’t working

iii. Wrong tray setting

iv. Software problem

v. Contaminated or dusty paper rollers

vi. Paper tray is overloaded or empty

vii. Paper is damaged

viii. Paper grain direction is wrong etc.

ix. The tray’s paper width guide is squeezing the loaded paper stack

x. The paper tray isn’t inserted completely into the printer

xi. The paper isn’t in contact with the pickup feed rollers

xii. Poor paper condition (curled, torn, bent, etc.)

xiii. The paper’s shiny or print side isn’t face down in the tray

How to Fix HP Printer Not Picking Up Paper

If your HP printer is not picking up paper, try the solutions below in the given order.

Reset your HP Printer – Solution 1

A simple reset on your HP printer can solve the problem of your HP printer not picking up paper to print. Therefore, to reset your HP printer, do the steps below:

Step 1: Turn HP printer off.

Step 2: Wait for about 60 seconds.

Step 3: Turn your HP printer on.

The steps above should fix the issue.

However, if your HP printer will not pick up paper after resetting your HP printer, do the solution below.

Check your Printer Connections – Solution 2

Connection issues such as wrong cable connection, wrong wireless connection, etc. could cause the HP no paper pickup error.

Therefore, you need to check your cable connections. If your printer is connected to your computer via a USB cable, ensure that the cable is properly connected. You can unplug and then plug the cable again to be double sure.

If you are using a wireless connection, ensure that your computer and HP printer is connected to the same wireless network. You should also turn off and then turn on your printer, computer, and router to reset the connection.

If your HP printer is still not picking up paper after doing the above, do the solution below.

Confirm that the Paper Size and Type is Right – Solution 3

If your HP printer does not pick up paper, then it could be that the paper in use is the wrong type or size. Depending on your HP printer model, there are sizes and types of paper that are supported by your printer. Therefore, unsupported paper size or type might cause the problem under discussion.

Hence, to solve this problem, you need to check your printer’s user manual to find out the supported paper specifications. If you discover that you are using a paper that doesn’t meet the specifications, then you need to change it with a genuine HP paper that is supported by your HP printer.

Clear Obstructions in the Printer’s Rear Tray – Solution 4

The HP printer not picking up paper problem could be due to obstructions in your printer’s rear tray. Therefore, we recommend that you check for obstructions in the rear tray and remove any you find. Ensure that you turn your printer off before you carry out this task.

If you want a more detailed guide on how to clear a jam in the rear door of an HP printer, we recommend that you click on this link.

After removing obstructions in your printer’s rear tray, check if the problem is resolved.

If your HP printer is still not picking up paper, move to the solution below.

Change Print Settings – Solution 5

How to Change Print Settings to Fix the HP Printer Not Picking Up Paper Error

Do the steps below to change print settings to fix the HP printer not picking up paper problem:

Step 1: Turn your HP printer off.

Step 2: Go to your computer’s Control Panel.

Step 3: Open the section for “Printers and Devices”.

Step 4: Choose your HP printer.

Step 5: Right-click on your HP printer.

Step 6: Click “Printing Preferences”.

Step 7: Click “Paper/Quality”.

Step 8: Click on the tab labeled “Source is”.

Step 9: Click “Auto Select”.

Step 10: Click “Apply”.

Step 11: Click on “OK”.

Step 12: Try to print a document.

If these steps do not fix the error, move to the next solution.

To read more awesome articles, click any of the links below…

Your HP Printer Copying Problems Fixed

Scan with HP Printer [How To/Issues & Solutions]

How to Turn On HP Printer [Detailed Guide]

HP Printer Won’t Turn On/Off [Solutions]

How to Add HP Printer [Detailed Guide]

HP Printer Jam [Issues & Solutions]

HP Printer Says Out Of Paper [Solutions]

Reload Paper into your Printer’s Paper Tray – Solution 6

Do the steps below to reload the paper into your printer’s paper tray:

Step 1: Take out the paper stack from your printer’s paper tray.

Step 2: Arrange the sheets of paper properly. You can hit the edges of the stack on an even surface to align the sheets.

Step 3: Put the paper stack back into your printer’s paper tray.

Step 4: Move the tray’s paper width guides to the sides of the paper stack. Ensure that guides do not squeeze the stack.

Step 5: Ensure that the tray goes deep enough into your printer to enable them to contact the feed pickup rollers.

Step 6: Try to print a document.

If these steps do not fix the error, move to the next solution.

Clean your HP Printer’s Pickup Rollers – Solution 7

Dirt on your printer’s pickup rollers could be the reason for your HP Laser printer not picking up paper. Therefore, the quick fix is to clean your printer’s rollers.

Hence, we recommend that you click here and follow the instructions that will guide you on how to clean the pickup rollers of your HP printer.

We also recommend that you watch the video below.

Uninstall and then Reinstall your HP Printer – Solution 8

An issue with your printer software could be the reason for your HP Envy printer not picking up paper problem. Hence, we recommend that you uninstall and then reinstall your HP printer to fix this error.

Follow the instructions in this link to learn how to uninstall and then reinstall your HP printer software.

If your HP Photosmart printer not picking up paper error is not resolved after uninstalling and reinstalling your printer, then you are left with the final solution below.

Service your HP Printer – Solution 9

If none of the solutions above fixes the HP all-in-one printer not picking up paper problem, then it means you have to service your HP printer.

Therefore, Contact HP Customer Support for further assistance. Once you’ve made contact, a repair schedule will be fixed. If the product is beyond repair, then a replacement will be provided.

Please bear in mind that the repair and replacement are free and possible only if your HP printer is still under warranty and you haven’t breached any warranty terms.

The solutions shared so far in this article will fix the HP printer not picking up paper from the tray problem on the following HP printer models:

HP LaserJet 1020, HP LaserJet 1160, HP LaserJet 1200, HP LaserJet 1300, HP LaserJet 1320, HP LaserJet 2100, HP LaserJet 2200, HP LaserJet 3390, HP LaserJet pro 400, HP Photosmart 7520, HP Deskjet 2600, HP 6500a, HP 6600, HP 6700.

Furthermore, if your HP printer is not picking up photo paper, the solutions above can also be used to fix this problem.