If your HP printer says cleaning then jams, this guide will walk you through the steps needed to troubleshoot and fix this issue effectively.
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HP Printer Says Cleaning Then Jams: Solutions
If your HP printer says cleaning then jams, try the following solutions in the given order:
Check for Obvious Obstructions
The first and easiest step is to physically check for any obstructions in your printer. Foreign objects or papers can get stuck and cause a jam.
Power Off and Unplug Your Printer: For your safety and to prevent any further issues, make sure your printer is both turned off and unplugged from the electrical outlet.
Open the Access Doors: Your printer will have several compartments, such as the paper tray, ink cartridge area, and other access doors. Consult your printer’s user manual to understand how to safely open these areas. Often, there’s a latch or button you’ll need to press.
Inspect for Obstructions: Use a flashlight to look into all the nooks and crannies. Obstructions can be anything from crumpled paper to paper clips or even rubber bands. Carefully remove any foreign objects.
Use Both Hands When Removing Paper: If you find crumpled paper, use both hands to remove it. This ensures that you don’t tear the paper, leaving behind smaller pieces that are harder to remove.
Close All Compartments: Make sure all the doors and compartments are properly closed. They often have a clicking mechanism to indicate they are securely shut.
Power On and Test: After you’ve finished inspecting and removing any obstructions, plug your printer back in and turn it on. Try a test print to see if the issue has been resolved.
Run the Built-In Cleaning Program
If manually checking for obstructions doesn’t solve the problem, you should try running the printer’s built-in cleaning program. This program cleans the printer’s print head, which could resolve your issue.
Access the Printer Settings: This can be done directly on your printer’s touch panel or via its software on your computer. Look for ‘Settings’ or a gear icon to start.
Navigate to Maintenance Options: Under settings, scroll until you find a section labeled ‘Maintenance’ or ‘Cleaning’. This option will usually be listed among other utilities.
Initiate the Cleaning Cycle: Upon selecting the ‘Clean’ option, a prompt usually appears asking for confirmation to start the process. Click ‘Yes’ or ‘Start’. Note that the cleaning process may take several minutes, and you may hear mechanical noises as the printer works. This is normal.
Completion and Testing: Once the cleaning cycle is complete, the printer often prints a test page automatically. Examine this for any signs of issues and perform additional cleaning cycles if needed.
Update Your Printer Drivers
Outdated or corrupt printer drivers can often be the hidden culprit behind printer issues. Updating them can resolve compatibility issues that may cause jams.
Visit HP Official Website: Use your web browser to navigate to HP’s official website. Make sure you’re on the legitimate site to avoid downloading malicious software.
Go to Support and Drivers Section: Typically, you’ll find this in the header menu or footer. Clicking it will navigate you to a page where you can search for your specific printer model.
Find and Download the Latest Drivers: Once on your printer’s specific support page, locate the ‘Software and Drivers’ section. Download the latest drivers compatible with your operating system.
Install the Downloaded Drivers: Navigate to your download folder, and double-click on the downloaded file to initiate the installation. Follow all on-screen prompts until installation is complete.
Restart: After the drivers are installed, it’s a good idea to restart both your computer and printer to allow the changes to take effect.
Contact HP Support
If your HP printer says cleaning then jams after you’ve tried all the above steps, it may be time to contact HP customer support. The support team is trained to provide specific solutions tailored to your printer model. You can reach them via phone, email, or live chat on the HP website.
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Why Does My HP Printer Say Cleaning Then Jams?
The message “cleaning” usually indicates that your printer is attempting to maintain itself by removing dust, ink clots, and other obstructions. However, when a jam occurs during this cleaning cycle, the process is disrupted, leading to your current issue.
