Frequently Asked Question

How to manage a paper jam in hp laserjet pro 400 M401
Last Updated about a month ago

Paper feeds incorrectly or becomes jammed The product does not pick up paper If the product does not pick up paper from the tray, try these solutions: 

  1. Open the product and remove any jammed sheets of paper. 
  2. Load the tray with the correct size of paper for your job. 
  3. Make sure the paper guides in the tray are adjusted correctly for the size of paper. Adjust the guides so they are touching the paper stack without bending it. 
  4. Check the product control panel to see if the product is waiting for you to acknowledge a prompt to feed the paper manually. Load paper and continue. 


The product picks up multiple sheets of paper If the product picks up multiple sheets of paper from the tray, try these solutions:

  1. Remove the stack of paper from the tray and flex it, rotate it 180 degrees, and flip it over. Do not fan the paper. Return the stack of paper to the tray. 
  2. Use only paper that meets HP specifications for this product. 
  3. Use paper that is not wrinkled, folded, or damaged. If necessary, use paper from a different package. 
  4. Make sure the tray is not overfilled. If it is, remove the entire stack of paper from the tray, straighten the stack, and then return some of the paper to the tray. 
  5. Make sure the paper guides in the tray are adjusted correctly for the size of paper. Adjust the guides so they are touching the paper stack without bending it. 


Prevent paper jams to reduce the number of paper jams, try these solutions: 

  1. Use only paper that meets HP specifications for this product. 
  2. Use paper that is not wrinkled, folded, or damaged. If necessary, use paper from a different package. 
  3. Use paper that has not previously been printed or copied on. 
  4. Make sure the tray is not overfilled. If it is, remove the entire stack of paper from the tray, straighten the stack, and then return some of the paper to the tray. 
  5. Make sure the paper guides in the tray are adjusted correctly for the size of paper. Adjust the guides so they are touching the paper stack without bending it. 
  6. If you are printing on heavy, embossed, or perforated paper, use the manual feed feature and feed sheets one at a time. 


ENWW Paper feeds incorrectly or becomes jammed 97 Clear jams Jam locations Jams can occur in these locations: 

  1. Output bin 
  2. Rear door 
  3. Tray 1 
  4. Tray 2 
  5. Optional Tray 3 


Loose toner might remain in the product after a jam. This problem typically resolves itself after a few sheets have been printed. Clear a jam in Tray 1. 

NOTE: If the sheet tears, remove all fragments before resuming printing. 


Solve problems ENWW:

  1. If you can see the jammed sheet, remove the jammed sheet by pulling it straight out. 
  2. If you cannot see the jammed sheet, open the print cartridge door, and then remove the print cartridge. 
  3. Remove the jammed sheet by pulling it straight out. CAUTION: Do not pull up on the jammed sheet. Be sure to pull it straight out. 
  4. Reinstall the print cartridge, and then close the print cartridge door. 


Clear a jam in Tray 2 

  1. Remove the tray from the product. 
  2. Remove the jammed sheet by pulling it straight out. 
  3. Replace the tray. 
  4. Press the OK button to continue printing. 


ENWW Clear jams 101 Clear a jam in optional Tray 3 

  1. Remove the tray from the product. 
  2. Remove the jammed sheet by pulling it straight out. 
  3. Replace the tray. 
  4. Press the OK button to continue printing. 


Solve problems ENWW Clear jams from the output bin. CAUTION: Do not use sharp objects, such as tweezers or needle-nose pliers, to remove jams. Damage caused by sharp objects will not be covered by the warranty. 

  1. With both hands, grasp the paper, and carefully pull it free from the product. 
  2. Clear a jam in the duplexer area 
  3. Open the rear door. ENWW Clear jams 103 
  4. Remove any jammed sheets.NOTE: If the sheet tears, remove all fragments before resuming printing. CAUTION: Wait until the fuser area has cooled before clearing the jam. 
  5. Close the rear door. 

Clear a jam in the fuser area 

  1. Open the rear door. 
  2. Remove any jammed sheets. NOTE: If the sheet tears, remove all fragments before resuming printing. CAUTION: Wait until the fuser area has cooled before clearing the jam. 
  3. Close the rear door.

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