My printer now grabs the paper crooked and then it jams. Could it be the improper paper weight (I use 20 lb. weight but it seems thinner lately) or could something be stuck inside the printer -- OR -- roller problem?

Using high cotton paper causes cotton dust build up making it hard for the rubber rollers to grab the paper. Check inside for paper dust build up. If so, clean rollers with a window cleaner.

Another problem is saving too much money on paper. There are some very thin light weight papers which the printer rollers have a hard time gripping. Most printers do well with 22 lb paper. Otherwise you may need to put a piece of scotch tape under the roller so the machine can grab the thinner paper.

Also check your side paper alignment guide in the tray. As well as making sure your paper is sitting all the way back/down in the tray.

Step Three: Check the paper type Verify that only recommended paper is being used for printing. The recommended paper types and weights for most HP printers include:

• Plain paper, 20 to 24 lb (75 to 90 gsm)
• Legal size paper, 20 to 24 lb (75 to 90 gsm)
• Card stock, up to a maximum of 110 lb (200 gsm)
• Envelopes, 20 to 24 lb (75 to 90 gsm)
• Photo paper, 145 lb (236 gsm)

NOTE: Supported paper weights and types vary by product. Check the Specifications sheet for your product for more information.

If you use card stock up to a maximum of 110lb then there should be no special mode to enter to print on this type of paper. Photo paper weighs in at 145 lb maximum which is heavier and can be printed on without selecting any special 'mode.'

Good luck on printing on heavy card stock.

Have you already tried these instructions?

It sounds like your paper stock may be too thick for the printer. Many printers do not handle paper heavier than about 26 lb. without some problems. The issue is the paper-rollers are not sufficiently strong to grab the paper, bend it toward the paper path, and then feed the paper into the machine.

Try using a lighter weight paper - 20 to 24 lb. max., and see if the printer does a better job for you!

Verify that only recommended paper is being used for printing. The recommended paper types and weights for most HP printers include:
Plain paper, 20 to 24 lb (75 to 90 gsm)
Legal size paper, 20 to 24 lb (75 to 90 gsm)
Card stock, up to a maximum of 110 lb (200 gsm)
Envelopes, 20 to 24 lb (75 to 90 gsm)
Photo paper, 145 lb (236 gsm)
Supported paper weights and types vary by product. Check the Specifications sheet for your product for more information.

Hi manitou344:
Here is some info that might help you.

Table 1-8. Tray 1 paper sizes1
Media Dimensions Weight or thickness Capacity
Minimum size paper 76 by 127 mm
(3 by 5 in)
60 to 163 g/m2
(16 to 43 lb bond)
100 sheets
(75 g/m2; 20 lb bond)
Maximum size paper 216 by 356 mm
(8.5 by 14 in)
60 to 163 g/m2
(16 to 43 lb bond)
100 sheets
(75 g/m2; 20 lb bond)
Minimum size glossy
paper
76 by 127 mm
(3 by 5 in)
75 to 120 g/m2
(20 to 32 lb bond)
Maximum stack
height: 12 mm (0.47 in)
Maximum size glossy
paper
216 by 356 mm
(8.5 by 14 in)
75 to 120 g/m2
(20 to 32 lb bond)
Maximum stack
height: 12 mm (0.47 in)
Minimum size
transparencies2
76 by 127 mm
(3 by 5 in)
0.12 to 0.13 mm thick
(4.7 to 5 mils thick)
50 sheets
Maximum size
transparencies2
216 by 356 mm
(8.5 by 14 in)
0.12 to 0.13 mm thick
(4.7 to 5 mils thick)
50 sheets
Minimum size
envelopes
76 by 127 mm
(3 by 5 in)
60 to 90 g/m2
(16 to 24 lb bond)
10 sheets
Maximum size
envelopes
216 by 356 mm
(8.5 by 14 in)
60 to 90 g/m2
(16 to 24 lb bond)
10 sheets
Minimum size label 76 by 127 mm
(3 by 5 in)
75 to 163 g/m2
(20 to 43 lb bond)
50 sheets
Maximum size label 216 by 356 mm
(8.5 by 14 in)
75 to 163 g/m2
(20 to 43 lb bond)
50 sheets
Minimum size
cardstock
76 by 127 mm
(3 by 5 in)
135 to 216 g/m2
(43 to 43 lb bond)
50 sheets
Maximum size
cardstock
216 by 356 mm
(8.5 by 14 in)
135 to 216 g/m2
(43 to 43 lb bond)
50 sheets
This printer can
detect transparencies that were not designed for use with HP Color LaserJet printers.

set the paper tray size to the size of the paper...if this is ok...clean the pick upo roller with damp cloth and soap water...if this doesnt help ...change the pick up roller..

keep me posted

Type Paper weight Input tray capacity Plain paper 70 to 90 gsm (20 to 24 lb) 100 Cards 200 gsm (110 lb) 20 Envelopes 75 to 90 gsm (20 to 24 lb) 10 Transparency film N/A 20 Labels N/A 20 10 x 15 cm (4 x 6 inches) Photo 236 gsm (145 lb) 20

See the manual. It looks as if 120g/m2 is the heaviest paper it can use:
"Set Type to correspond to the paper loaded in the tray from
which you want to print. This will let you get the best quality
printout. If not, print quality may not be acheived as you want.
Thin: Less than 19 lb (70 g/m2) thin paper.
Thick: 24 lb to 32 lb (90~120 g/m2) thick paper.
Cotton: 20 lb to 24 lb (75~90 g/m2) cotton paper such as Gilbert
25 % and Gilbert 100 %.
Plain Paper: Normal plain paper. Select this type if your printer is
monochrome and printing on the 16 lb (60 g/m2) cotton paper.
Recycled: 20 lb to 24 lb (75~90 g/m2) recycled paper.
Color Paper: 20 lb to 24 lb (75~90 g/m2) color-backgrounded
paper."