Paper does not go in straight when manualy fed and begins to crumple

W8101/8102 - Print media position warning

Print media position warning
The paper over the platen lies too near or too far from the carriage home position
when fed into the printer.

Cause>
The paper on the platen was too close to or too far from the carriage home position
side when paper was fed.
<Probable faulty component>
The way in which paper is set, print paper, cassette/cut-sheet feed unit, carriage
unit, encoder sensor unit, linear scale, carriage controller, head controller, system
controller.
<Action>
1. Paper setting check:
Reset the paper if the setting is not correct.
2. Paper check:
Replace the paper when any stains or pre-prints are found.
Straighten or replace the roll media when the roll of paper is ruffled.
3. Cassette unit/cut-sheet feed unit:
Replace the faulty paper feed component when the paper feeding is performed
correctly in all parts except where the error occurred.
4. Check the linear scale:
Visually check the linear scale for abnormal conditions, such as stains or damage.
5. Replace the carriage unit.
6. Replace the head controller.
7. Replace the system controller.

Hi Dave
First thing to check is that the left hand paper guide (as you look at the printer from the front) is up tight against the edge of the paper stack in the feeder. I've seen many printers where (over the course of day to day use) the paper guide has progressively moved itself to the left so that the paper is not held at all. The pick-up for the paper is at the bottom right hand corner and if the guide is loose the paper can skew as it goes in - and then it only gets worse.
Another possibility (and this has just happened to me) is that the long piece of sponge that runs the length of the platen (you'll only see it if you open the top and shine a light in) has come adrift slightly. Mine actually came completely out after 2 or three skewed/crumpled sheets. I washed it, dried it out with kitchen towel and then carefully refitted it. Now the printer is running like a demon.
Let us know what your outcome is.

The paper feed solenoid is sticking, it can be seen thru a hole in the back with the door opened. Not easy to get to, but I have been able to bend the stop tab slightly and run just fine.

The fuser is shot....this is the unit that uses heat and pressure to fuse the toner to the page. It is primarily when the pressure roller wears that you get crinkling and bad fusing, but I'm sure the upper sleeve has seen better days as well.
These days it is (sadly) cheaper to replace this printer with a new little HP -only around $100 or so.


*please rate me :)

On the machines control panel set to sheet fed (pressing the left button will change from Sheet, roll and roll with cut). In the print settings select your paper profile. On the page setup choose sheet. In the pull down menu you should only have basic paper sizes, no custom size. choose 20x30 and try again.

let me know if this helps

If the paper feed roller is dirty, paper is not fed properly because the paper feed roller slips. Cleaning the paper feed roller could resolve the paper feeding problem. Please follow the instructions below to clean the Paper Feed Rollers directly from the unit.Caution: Since the cleaning process wears down the paper feed roller, perform this procedure only when necessary and no more than three (3) times.

1. Ensure that the printer is powered on and remove any paper from the Auto Sheet Feeder (ASF).
   
   
2. Press the <Menu> button.
   
   
   
   
3. Use the right / left cursor button to select [Maintenance/settings], then press <OK>.
   
   
   
   
4. Use the right / left cursor button to select [Maintenance], then press <OK>.
   
   
5. Perform the paper feed roller cleaning three times.
   
6. 1. Use the up / down cursor button to select [Roller cleaning], then press <OK>.
      
      
      
   2. When prompted to start roller cleaning, use the up / down cursor button to select [Yes], then press <OK>. (The paper feed roller cleaning starts.)
      
      
7. Check if the paper feed roller cleaning procedure resolved the issue.
   
8. 1. Load a sheet of letter-sized plain paper in the ASF and open the paper output tray.
      
   2. Use the up / down cursor button to select [Roller cleaning], then press <OK>.
      
      
      
   3. Use the up / down cursor button to select [Yes], then press the OK button. (Paper will be fed.)
      
      
9. If paper is not fed properly, repeat step 6 up to three times.

is printer new i would take it back if u can if not go lexmark.com download ther latest driver ok may fix it up best u can do try feeding paper throw it fe w times train it

Check to see if the pinch roller is set for standard sheet feeding the printer must feed by the tractor feed only.Does the paper get damaged when you try to feed or reset the page beginning, What we are looking for is a piece of one of the sheets loged in the pinch roller.Also check the pressure adjuster on the right side if you are not using multiple copie printing it should be set to medium . Let me know what you found... Be mucho blessed... Mark

Assuming that you know where the paper gets feed in, I usually use this trick to start a new roll of paper.
First, tear off the end of the new roll so that there isn't any glue stuck on the paper.
Then, fold the tip of the paper like an arrow. (Fold one side to the middle and the other side to the middle so both sides meet in the middle.
Then, place the paper into the slot where the paper feeds in.. (Usually goes under the printer assembly) and then hit the PAPER FEED button at the same time. If the paper is in the correct slot, the paper should start feeding the paper all the way through.
Hope this helps.
Have a good day.
M =)

Check the feeder roller inside the printer for any foreign substance stuck to the roller, this may cause it not to grip properly. You can also try a few sheets at a time and make sure the paper tray is gripping the paper, but not too hard. If this fails, the roller may be out of place somewhat, try to reposition it. Let me know how you get on.