Printer cartridge moves but does not print

Hi,

If printing is skewed, feeding multiple pages or jamming, please follow these instructions (use a regular letter size paper to test after doing the steps given below):
Please check to ensure there is nothing obstructing the paper feed mechanism down inside the printer where it is not easily seen. If there is nothing obvious, unplug the printer and remove the paper. Open the front cover and look above the steel rod. You should see a conveyor belt with rubber teeth on it, like a fan belt. Take the bottom part of that belt and move it gently to the left. The cartridges should come out with it. Make sure the cartridges can move fully from one side of the printer to the other. Check also the output rollers on the bottom of the printer for any blockage. If it is jamming under the carrier assembly, you may be able to fix it using the manual feed slot. Turn the printer off. Next take a #10 envelope and feed it through the left side of the paper feed slot (The manual paper feed slot is preferred, but the automatic feed will do if there is no manual paper feed for this printer) until it comes completely through the printer to the back of the exit rollers. Move it up and down and slowly move it over to the right side. If something is stuck under the black guide plate this may work it loose or you may have to feed the envelope through the front rollers and push your way backward (please be careful here).
Next, take a damp warm cloth and clean the rubber rollers in the automatic sheet feeder. Dust may be coating the rollers there and as they become less tacky, they cannot feed paper correctly.
Then plug the printer back up, take your paper out and replace it with a fresh, small stack (about 5 pages) of paper. Quickly bend the stack in an 'S' shape a few times to separate pages. Make sure it is lined up on the right side of the paper feed and the paper guide on the left is snug on the left side of the paper. Then try to form feed again. If that works, then try to print the self test page.

Begin by disconnecting the power supply from the wall (not the back of the printer) for at least "30 seconds." This is essential. Then plug the printer back in and follow these steps:
1. Press the "Copy" button.
2. Press the "Menu" button.
3. Press the down arrow button once or until the screen displays "Maintenance."
4. Press the check mark button to select the "Maintenance" menu.
5. Press the down arrow button three times until the screen displays "Print Test Page."
6. Press the check mark button to select this. The Self-Test will start printing.
The self-test should at least print out a set of either black or color bars, if not both (if you have a printer with both color and black installed simultaneously.) Should this test fail, try it again without cartridges installed. If the self-test still fails to take paper in and make sounds like the carrier is moving across the paper, this is a hardware issue, and the printer will require service. If the self-test completes without any cartridges installed, run the self-test again with the color cartridge installed. (If you have both black and color cartridges, after this test, run the test again with just the black cartridge installed.) If you find that either cartridge causes the self-test to fail, please let me know.

your's tech expert
Jeeth

Hi,


If printing is skewed, feeding multiple pages or jamming, please follow these instructions (use a regular letter size paper to test after doing the steps given below):
Please check to ensure there is nothing obstructing the paper feed mechanism down inside the printer where it is not easily seen. If there is nothing obvious, unplug the printer and remove the paper. Open the front cover and look above the steel rod. You should see a conveyor belt with rubber teeth on it, like a fan belt. Take the bottom part of that belt and move it gently to the left. The cartridges should come out with it. Make sure the cartridges can move fully from one side of the printer to the other. Check also the output rollers on the bottom of the printer for any blockage. If it is jamming under the carrier assembly, you may be able to fix it using the manual feed slot. Turn the printer off. Next take a #10 envelope and feed it through the left side of the paper feed slot (The manual paper feed slot is preferred, but the automatic feed will do if there is no manual paper feed for this printer) until it comes completely through the printer to the back of the exit rollers. Move it up and down and slowly move it over to the right side. If something is stuck under the black guide plate this may work it loose or you may have to feed the envelope through the front rollers and push your way backward (please be careful here).
Next, take a damp warm cloth and clean the rubber rollers in the automatic sheet feeder. Dust may be coating the rollers there and as they become less tacky, they cannot feed paper correctly.
Then plug the printer back up, take your paper out and replace it with a fresh, small stack (about 5 pages) of paper. Quickly bend the stack in an 'S' shape a few times to separate pages. Make sure it is lined up on the right side of the paper feed and the paper guide on the left is snug on the left side of the paper. Then try to form feed again. If that works, then try to print the self test page.
Please follow the steps given below to perform the self-test:

1. Power the printer off.
2. Press and hold the "Paper Feed" button.
3. While still holding the "Paper Feed" button, press and release the "Power" button. Continue holding the "Paper Feed" button.
4. When the printer starts pulling paper, release the "Paper Feed" button. It should print a test page at this point.
5. Power the printer off, as this test is continuous.
The self-test should at least print out a set of either a solid black or solid color bars, if not both (if you have a printer with both color and black installed simultaneously). Should this test fail, please try it again without cartridges installed. If the self-test still fails to take paper in and make sounds like the carrier is moving across the paper, this is a hardware issue, and the printer will require service. If the self-test completes without any cartridges installed, run the self-test again with only a color cartridge installed (If you have both black and color cartridges, after this test, run the test again with just the black cartridge installed). If you find that either cartridge causes the self-test to fail, please let me know.

If it still fails to feed the paper correctly, please reply with the following information:
What type and brand of paper were you using?
Have you ever used this type or brand of paper before and if so what were the results?
Once we have this information we will try to fix the unit through email support.

Most of the Lexmark printers (including the Z- and X- series) pull the paper down on one side slightly faster than the other. The printer hardware should even this out when printing. You should also ensure the paper meets the automatic feeder requirements of the printer.

If printing is skewed, feeding multiple pages or jamming, please follow these instructions (use a regular letter size paper to test after doing the steps given below):

Please check to ensure there is nothing obstructing the paper feed mechanism down inside the printer where it is not easily seen. If there is nothing obvious, unplug the printer and remove the paper. Open the front cover and look above the steel rod. You should see a conveyor belt with rubber teeth on it, like a fan belt. Take the bottom part of that belt and move it gently to the left. The cartridges should come out with it. Make sure the cartridges can move fully from one side of the printer to the other. Check also the output rollers on the bottom of the printer for any blockage. If it is jamming under the carrier assembly, you may be able to fix it using the manual feed slot. Turn the printer off. Next take a #10 envelope and feed it through the left side of the paper feed slot (The manual paper feed slot is preferred, but the automatic feed will do if there is no manual paper feed for this printer) until it comes completely through the printer to the back of the exit rollers. Move it up and down and slowly move it over to the right side. If something is stuck under the black guide plate this may work it loose or you may have to feed the envelope through the front rollers and push your way backward (please be careful here).

Next, take a damp warm cloth and clean the rubber rollers in the automatic sheet feeder. Dust may be coating the rollers there and as they become less tacky, they cannot feed paper correctly.
Then plug the printer back up, take your paper out and replace it with a fresh, small stack (about 5 pages) of paper. Quickly bend the stack in an 'S' shape a few times to separate pages. Make sure it is lined up on the right side of the paper feed and the paper guide on the left is snug on the left side of the paper. Then try to form feed again. If that works, then try to print the self test page.

Please follow the steps given below to perform the self-test:

1. Turn the power to the printer off by pressing the “Power” button once.
2. Press and hold the “Start” button and the “Power” button.
3. Once the screen will display “Mfg Menu Enabled” release both buttons.
4. Press the “Mode” button 3 times. All of the indicator lights will go out and the screen will display “LCD Button Test.”
5. Press the “Up” arrow button two times. The screen will display “Single Test Page”.
6. Press the “Start” button once.
7. This will start the Self-Test. Once the page has printed, the printer will stop. The test is not continuous.

The self-test should at least print out a set of either a solid black or solid color bars, if not both (if you have a printer with both color and black installed simultaneously). Should this test fail, please try it again without cartridge installed. If the self-test still fails to take paper in and make sounds like the carrier is moving across the paper, this is a hardware issue, and the printer will require service. If the self-test completes without the cartridge installed, run the self-test again with only a color cartridge installed. If you find that either cartridge causes the self-test to fail, please let us know.
If the self-test prints, but has lines or smudges or other print quality issues, please let us know. This includes any print quality issues - we need to know if the problems you have with your black or color are based in the printer, or communications with your computer, or the computer's software.

If the self-test prints your test bar(s) clearly, the printer hardware is not at fault.

Most of the Lexmark printers (including the Z- and X- series) pull the paper down on one side slightly faster than the other. The printer hardware should even this out when printing. You should also ensure the paper meets the automatic feeder requirements of the printer.

If printing is skewed, feeding multiple pages or jamming, please follow these instructions (use a regular letter size paper to test after doing the steps given below):

Please check to ensure there is nothing obstructing the paper feed mechanism down inside the printer where it is not easily seen. If there is nothing obvious, unplug the printer and remove the paper. Open the front cover and look above the steel rod. You should see a conveyor belt with rubber teeth on it, like a fan belt. Take the bottom part of that belt and move it gently to the left. The cartridges should come out with it. Make sure the cartridges can move fully from one side of the printer to the other. Check also the output rollers on the bottom of the printer for any blockage. If it is jamming under the carrier assembly, you may be able to fix it using the manual feed slot. Turn the printer off. Next take a #10 envelope and feed it through the left side of the paper feed slot (The manual paper feed slot is preferred, but the automatic feed will do if there is no manual paper feed for this printer) until it comes completely through the printer to the back of the exit rollers. Move it up and down and slowly move it over to the right side. If something is stuck under the black guide plate this may work it loose or you may have to feed the envelope through the front rollers and push your way backward (please be careful here).

Next, take a damp warm cloth and clean the rubber rollers in the automatic sheet feeder. Dust may be coating the rollers there and as they become less tacky, they cannot feed paper correctly.
Then plug the printer back up, take your paper out and replace it with a fresh, small stack (about 5 pages) of paper. Quickly bend the stack in an 'S' shape a few times to separate pages. Make sure it is lined up on the right side of the paper feed and the paper guide on the left is snug on the left side of the paper. Then try to form feed again. If that works, then try to print the self test page.

Please follow the steps given below to perform the self-test:

1. Press the "Copy" button once.
2. Press the "Options" button 11 times until the screen reads "Maintenance."
3. Press the "Left Arrow(-)" button until the screen reads "Maintenance: Self Test."
4. Press "Select."

The self-test should at least print out a set of either black or color bars, if not both (if you have a printer with both color and black installed simultaneously). If the self-test still fails to take paper in and make sounds like the carrier is moving across the paper, this is a hardware issue, and the printer will require service. If the self-test completes without any cartridges installed, run the self-test again with the color cartridge installed. (If you have both black and color cartridges, after this test, run the test again with just the black cartridge installed.) If you find that either cartridge causes the self-test to fail, please let us know.

If the self-test prints, but has lines or smudges or other print quality issues, please let us know. This includes any print quality issues, we need to know if the problems you have with your black or color are based in the printer, or communications with your computer, or the computer's software.
If the self-test prints your test bar(s) clearly, the printer hardware is not at fault.

Most of the Lexmark printers (including the Z- and X- series) pull the paper down on one side slightly faster than the other. The printer hardware should even this out when printing. You should also ensure the paper meets the automatic feeder requirements of the printer.

If printing is skewed, feeding multiple pages or jamming, please follow these instructions (use a regular letter size paper to test after doing the steps given below):

Please check to ensure there is nothing obstructing the paper feed mechanism down inside the printer where it is not easily seen. If there is nothing obvious, unplug the printer and remove the paper. Open the front cover and look above the steel rod. You should see a conveyor belt with rubber teeth on it, like a fan belt. Take the bottom part of that belt and move it gently to the left. The cartridges should come out with it. Make sure the cartridges can move fully from one side of the printer to the other. Check also the output rollers on the bottom of the printer for any blockage. If it is jamming under the carrier assembly, you may be able to fix it using the manual feed slot. Turn the printer off. Next take a #10 envelope and feed it through the left side of the paper feed slot (The manual paper feed slot is preferred, but the automatic feed will do if there is no manual paper feed for this printer) until it comes completely through the printer to the back of the exit rollers. Move it up and down and slowly move it over to the right side. If something is stuck under the black guide plate this may work it loose or you may have to feed the envelope through the front rollers and push your way backward (please be careful here).

Next, take a damp warm cloth and clean the rubber rollers in the automatic sheet feeder. Dust may be coating the rollers there and as they become less tacky, they cannot feed paper correctly.
Then plug the printer back up, take your paper out and replace it with a fresh, small stack (about 5 pages) of paper. Quickly bend the stack in an 'S' shape a few times to separate pages. Make sure it is lined up on the right side of the paper feed and the paper guide on the left is snug on the left side of the paper. Then try to form feed again. If that works, then try to print the self test page.

Please follow the steps given below to perform the self-test:

1. Press the “Settings” button once. The screen with read “Settings: Maintenance”.
2. Press the check button once. The screen with read “Maintenance: Ink Levels”.
3. Press the right arrow button until the screen reads “Maintenance: Print Test Page”.
4. Press the check button once. This will start the Self-Test. Once the page has printed, the printer will stop. The test is not continuous.

The self-test should at least print out a set of either a solid black or solid color bars, if not both (if you have a printer with both color and black installed simultaneously). Should this test fail, please try it again without cartridges installed. If the self-test still fails to take paper in and make sounds like the carrier is moving across the paper, this is a hardware issue, and the printer will require service. If the self-test completes without any cartridges installed, run the self-test again with only a color cartridge installed (If you have both black and color cartridges, after this test, run the test again with just the black cartridge installed). If you find that either cartridge causes the self-test to fail, please let us know.

If the self-test prints, but has lines or smudges or other print quality issues, please let us know. This includes any print quality issues - we need to know if the problems you have with your black or color are based in the printer, or communications with your computer, or the computer's software.

If the self-test prints your test bar(s) clearly, the printer hardware is not at fault.

1. Turn the printer off and open the access cover.
2. Look for any obstructions in the paper path and remove them if necessary. (It is possible to move the carrier assembly with the power off.)
3. Turn the printer on, load some paper, and press the Form Feed button. (On the X83, press the Select button.)
4. Watch the paper as it feeds through and try to determine where the jam is occurring.
5. Check to see if all the rollers are turning.

If all the rollers are turning, there may be something in the feed path that you can't see. Go to step 6.
If not, there is probably a feed motor or a gear problem and the printer may require service.
6. If the paper is jamming under the carrier assembly, you may be able to fix it using the manual feed slot.
7. Turn the printer off.
8. Take a #10 envelope and feed it through the left side of the manual feed slot until it comes right through the printer to the back of the exit rollers.
9. Move it up and down first, and then slowly move it over to the right side. If something is stuck under the black guide plate, this may work it loose.

You will need to do the following diagnostic tests to determine the exact cause of the error:

· Remove the ink cartridges

· Perform the self test (test B below)

· Test the ink cartridges

A. To remove the ink cartridges:
Switch the printer on by pressing the green button.
Open the front cover of the printer. The cartridge carrier should move to the center of the opening.
Remove both cartridges.
If the carrier does not move to the center of the opening, you will need to remove the cartridges by hand.
Turn the printer off and remove the power supply cable (the small circular one) from the back of the printer.
Open the front cover of the printer.
Inside the printer, locate the silver metal carrier bar on which the print carriage slides.
Locate the black rubber carrier belt above the carrier bar. This belt has tracks on its inner portion.
Grab the top portion of the belt and move it toward the right. As you move this, the ink cartridge carrier will move to the left. Continue to move the belt until the carrier is in the center of the opening.
Now pull both cartridges out.


B. To perform the self-test:
Disconnect both the power cable and the USB or parallel cable.
After one minute has passed, plug the power supply cable (the small black circular one) back in. (This step is necessary to reset the printer.)
Turn the printer off by pressing the green power button.
Hold down the grey paper feed button.
Turn the printer on by pressing the green button.
After the printer begins to feed paper, release the grey button.
Once the paper exits the printer, press the green button to turn the printer off.

If the power light blinks twelve times while no cartridges are installed, there is a problem with the printer. Please contact our Technical Support Centre for your service options. If this is a new purchase, you can also exchange the printer at the point of purchase. If the paper went through the printer as if printing was occurring, you will need to do some more testing. Continue as instructed below.


C. To test the ink cartridges:
Open the front cover and insert only the black ink cartridge. Make sure that you push it back until it snaps into place.
Close the front cover. If the light flashes twelve times, there may be a defect in the black cartridge. If not, proceed to the next step.
Turn the printer off using the green power button.
Hold down the grey paper-feed button.
Turn the printer on using the green button.
After the printer begins to feed paper, release the grey button.
Once the paper exits the printer, press the green button to turn the printer off.
If the light flashes twelve times, there may be a defect in the black cartridge. If a page came through with a black line, your black cartridge is working properly.
Now you need to take the black cartridge out and perform the same steps with the color cartridge. If the light flashes twelve times, there may be a defect in the color cartridge. If a page came through with colored lines, your color cartridge is working properly.

If one of the cartridges is causing the problem, you will need to replace that cartridge. If it is a new cartridge, please exchange it at the point of purchase, or contact our Technical Support Centre.

IF u have problems u can use this link:
http://support.lexmark.com/cgi-perl/knowledgebase.cgi

1. Turn the printer off and open the access cover.
2. Look for any obstructions in the paper path and remove them if necessary. (It is possible to move the carrier assembly with the power off.)
3. Turn the printer on, load some paper, and press the Form Feed button. (On the X83, press the Select button.)
4. Watch the paper as it feeds through and try to determine where the jam is occurring.
5. Check to see if all the rollers are turning.

If all the rollers are turning, there may be something in the feed path that you can't see. Go to step 6.
If not, there is probably a feed motor or a gear problem and the printer may require service.
6. If the paper is jamming under the carrier assembly, you may be able to fix it using the manual feed slot.
7. Turn the printer off.
8. Take a #10 envelope and feed it through the left side of the manual feed slot until it comes right through the printer to the back of the exit rollers.
9. Move it up and down first, and then slowly move it over to the right side. If something is stuck under the black guide plate, this may work it loose.

You will need to do the following diagnostic tests to determine the exact cause of the error: · Remove the ink cartridges · Perform the self test (test B below) · Test the ink cartridges A. To remove the ink cartridges: Switch the printer on by pressing the green button. Open the front cover of the printer. The cartridge carrier should move to the center of the opening. Remove both cartridges. If the carrier does not move to the center of the opening, you will need to remove the cartridges by hand. Turn the printer off and remove the power supply cable (the small circular one) from the back of the printer. Open the front cover of the printer. Inside the printer, locate the silver metal carrier bar on which the print carriage slides. Locate the black rubber carrier belt above the carrier bar. This belt has tracks on its inner portion. Grab the top portion of the belt and move it toward the right. As you move this, the ink cartridge carrier will move to the left. Continue to move the belt until the carrier is in the center of the opening. Now pull both cartridges out. B. To perform the self-test: Disconnect both the power cable and the USB or parallel cable. After one minute has passed, plug the power supply cable (the small black circular one) back in. (This step is necessary to reset the printer.) Turn the printer off by pressing the green power button. Hold down the grey paper feed button. Turn the printer on by pressing the green button. After the printer begins to feed paper, release the grey button. Once the paper exits the printer, press the green button to turn the printer off. If the power light blinks twelve times while no cartridges are installed, there is a problem with the printer. If this is a new purchase, you can also exchange the printer at the point of purchase. If the paper went through the printer as if printing was occurring, you will need to do some more testing. Continue as instructed below. C. To test the ink cartridges: Open the front cover and insert only the black ink cartridge. Make sure that you push it back until it snaps into place. Close the front cover. If the light flashes twelve times, there may be a defect in the black cartridge. If not, proceed to the next step. Turn the printer off using the green power button. Hold down the grey paper-feed button. Turn the printer on using the green button. After the printer begins to feed paper, release the grey button. Once the paper exits the printer, press the green button to turn the printer off. If the light flashes twelve times, there may be a defect in the black cartridge. If a page came through with a black line, your black cartridge is working properly. Now you need to take the black cartridge out and perform the same steps with the color cartridge. If the light flashes twelve times, there may be a defect in the color cartridge. If a page came through with colored lines, your color cartridge is working properly. If one of the cartridges is causing the problem, you will need to replace that cartridge. If it is a new cartridge, please exchange it at the point of purchase. Good luck

i am having the same problem and after looking it over, something is not feeding it thru the beginning of the paper starting in. if i pust 1 sheet down far enough to grab the paper it will print one page at a time. I have been unable to determine what is not feeding at the beginning yet.