HP LaserJet error codes: what they mean and how to fix them

These are the most common error codes on HP LaserJet printers, what they mean, and what you can try before calling a technician. The explanations apply to the whole LaserJet range; your model may show more detail.

13.XX.YY Jam in Tray 1

What it means: A page is jammed in the multi-purpose tray (Tray 1).

What to do:

  1. Remove the paper from Tray 1, then remove any paper left inside the printer.
  2. Make sure the paper guides and dial are in place and match the paper loaded in the tray.
  3. Reload Tray 1 without going past the fill marks on the width guides, and check that the guides are in place.
  4. Press OK (or the check button) to clear the message and continue printing.

13.XX.YY Jam in Tray X

What it means: A page is jammed in the tray shown on the screen.

What to do:

  1. Remove the tray shown on the screen.
  2. Make sure the paper guides and dial are in place and match the paper loaded in the tray.
  3. Reload the tray without going past the fill marks, and check that the guides are in place.
  4. Remove any paper left inside the printer, then reinstall the tray.

41.3 Unexpected paper size

What it means: The printer detected a different paper size than expected, usually because two or more sheets stuck together or the tray is not adjusted correctly.

What to do:

  1. Reload the tray with the correct paper size.
  2. Printing from Tray 1: check that the right paper size is selected on the control panel.
  3. Printing from Tray 2, 3 or 4: check every paper size adjustment on the tray (length guide, width guide, size switch).
  4. Press OK or GO. With Jam Recovery on, the page is reprinted automatically (or cancel the job).
  5. If it keeps happening, the paper feed assembly or the paper sensors may be faulty: request a technician.

49.XX Printer error (firmware)

What it means: A firmware problem.

What to do:

  1. Cancel the print job from the printer screen.
  2. Turn the printer off and on again, then reprint to see if it was a temporary error.
  3. If the error persists, print from a different program. If it only happens with one program or one document, update the printer driver and/or firmware.
  4. If it happens with every program: disconnect the network and USB cables, turn the printer off, clear the print queue, restart the printer and the computer, reconnect the cables and print again.

50.X Fuser error

What it means: The fuser (the unit that bonds toner to the paper) has reported an error.

What to do:

  1. Turn the printer off, wait 10 minutes, then turn it back on.
  2. If the message persists, reinstall the fuser.
  3. If that does not work, the fuser needs to be replaced: request a technician.

51.X Laser / beam error

What it means: The printer lost the laser beam signal (51.2 is a laser error).

What to do:

  1. Press OK or GO; the page with the error is reprinted automatically.
  2. Turn the printer off and on again.
  3. If it comes back, the cables to the laser/scanner unit, the laser/scanner itself or the DC controller need service: request a technician.

79 Service error

What it means: The printer detected an internal error, often caused by a print job or a program.

What to do:

  1. Cancel the print job from the printer memory.
  2. Turn the printer off and on again.
  3. Print from a different program. If that works, go back to the first program and print a different file.
  4. If the message only appears with one program or one document, contact that software’s vendor; if it appears with everything, request a technician.

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