HP Laserjet 4M makes accordion folds in the paper before jamming

Check for any obstructions inside the fuser, could be something stuck or could be the fuser film has worn out. If so you can replace just the film or the entire fuser. Should sort your problem out

Problem: Paper jams as it exits printer, starts out as intermittent and gets progressively worse. Paper has accordion folds at bottom.

Cause: Fuser drives paper out faster than the worn out exit rollers can push it out of the printer. This causes the paper to fold up.

Solution: The rubber treads in the rollers wears down, making them smooth. Sometimes, they are aged, which also gives them a smoother rounded texture, causing jams. The quick fix is to liven up that roller with a mixture of alcohol and soap. Damp a rag with the solution and wipe the rollers clean with it. That's make them more pliable. If problems persist, the rollers need to be replaced.

If I could be of further assistance, let me know. If this helps or solves the issue, please rate it and give a testimonial for my response

Thanks, Joe


I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/joe_8b8c2cd6ce148309

OK, there's either an optic sensor or a physical switch that determines that paper is in a spot that it should not be on printers.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01489959&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

Symptoms: Your HP LaserJet 4/4M is constantly jamming at the back of the printer. Sometimes the paper is folded like an accordion. Other times the paper has a big curl on the bottom

How to fix:
http://fyrskeppsvagen.com/tips/printers/hp_lj4/paperjam_accordion.html

When you clear the paper from the machine at the fusing unit, you can see 8 pawls, it looks like a hook but in a flat design. They should be touching the heat roller ( each has a spring to make it flexible ). If one not touching the heat roll it will caused the paper stuck to it so you will have the accordion paper jam.

Were you able to remove all of the original jammed business cards? where the leading edge of the "Fanfold" prints occurs, you will probably find something blocking the paper path. HP printers usually have a limit on the paper weight that the printer can handle when doing duplex (2 sided) printing. Check this against the weight of the cards you are printing.

I have a long solution (possibly) to your issue:

Error 13 Paper Jam

• Paper jams can occur in 3 places: Entry, registration and exit.
• If the paper isn't picking up out of the paper tray, visually inspect the pickup roller. If it looks shiny, replace it. You should also replace the separation pad as they work together. On the 4L/4P/5P/6P the pickup roller has a plastic shaft that breaks. You'll have to replace the whole pickup assembly. This requires major disassembly of the printer. Check our printer repair kits for your model printer. If you don't see it listed, email us.
• If you have an HP 4/4+/5 with an optional 500 sheet feeder that's jamming, check the balance knob adjustment. Center it with a full **** of paper for proper operation.
• If the paper is jamming at registration or anywhere between pickup and exit it could be a number of things. Check the paper path for torn bits of paper or label residue. On the II/III series, remove the metal registration guide plate (2 screws) and check underneath it. If the pickup rollers are moderately worn, the paper will stop just short of the registration roller. On the 4L/4P/5P/6P remove the screw holding the oblique roller assembly (Inside front of printer) and pull out and inspect the assembly and the area under it. On the HP 4/4+/5 pivot up the metal plate and check underneath it. Check the roller assembly on the left side for torn scraps of paper (a flashlight or torch is necessary).
• Make sure paper cassettes are firmly seated, corner tabs aren't bent. Some trays have lifting springs that could pop out if tray has been dropped.
• On HP IIP/IIP+/IIIP printers if the paper scrunches up at the toner cartridge you'll need our Inside Accordion Jam Repair Kit.
• Check your software settings in the program you are attempting to print from. Do you have the correct paper size specified? If you have a different paper size than what is in the tray, you'll get a paper jam.
• Exit jams are frequently caused by exit sensors. These sensors are typically mounted on the fuser assembly or adjacent to it. They are plastic arms that block and unblock an optical sensor. The arms can get stuck or knocked out of place when clearing paper jams. The optical sensors can also get dirt blocking the photo cell. Clean the sensor and check for free movement and proper installation of the sensor arms.
• On HP II/III series exit jams are mostly caused by worn gears. The best way to troubleshoot this is to defeat the door interlock (see door interlock photo on troubleshooting page). Press down on the arm on the top right of the fuser. Initiate a test page. While holding down the arm, press one of the metal cartridge detect switches just below the door interlock. Watch the movement of the gears. You will get a 51 error because the door is open. Recycle power to get rid of error. There is an arm gear on the lower right of the fuser that can shed teeth. There is also a 14 tooth gear below the large gear on top of the fuser. You can also manually rotate the large gear and check for binding or crunching. If that happens, then replace the 14 tooth gear. On the door, there are some delivery coupler gears that mate with the fuser and drive the exit roller. Check the gears for excessive wear. Replace if necessary. If the paper gets almost all the way out and jams, replace the exit roller or the exit roller assembly. If the error occurs after fuser replacement, check and see if the connector on the left of the fuser is properly mated with the one in the printer.
• On HP IIP/IIP+/IIIP printers if the paper has accordion folds on the bottom and jams on exit, order our Top Output Accordion Jam Repair Kit.
• On HP 4/4+/5 printers the most common cause of exit jams is the exit assembly. Order our 4/4+/5 Exit Jam Repair Kit. Exit jams in the fuser can be caused by a broken fuser drive gear or a broken gear on the fuser. Remove the fuser and check the gear inside the printer for broken teeth. Manually turn the gears on the fuser and check for smooth operation. Check the paper exit sensor arm for proper mounting and free movement.
• Check to make sure the rear door is closed on the printer. Open doors can cause 13 paper jam indications.
• On the 5L/6L check the registration sensor arm below the pickup roller. Also check the exit sensor arm (bottom center of the fuser). These arms frequently get stuck or dislodged clearing paper jams. On these printers, if you are experiencing frequent paper jams, order our 5L/6L Multi-Sheet/No Feed Repair Kit

All this comes from:

http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/reference/errorcodes/hp

Good luck with it, I love the HP LaserJet 4 series of printers. I used to warm my coffee on the top of the fuser when I was doing large print jobs :-)

If this information helps, please give me a rating, thanks!

OpenSource13

Check the paper output area ( around the output rollers) for a small piece of paper. You may need to disassemble the output paper assembly, and clean the rollers, or replace the paper output assembly.

In reality, what you have is one part of the printer trying to "push" the paper, while another part of the printer is trying to "pull", resulting in the wrinkle.. The problem may also be with a paper output sensor being stuck, which is why I suggest you check thoroughly for paper scraps in the output assembly.

I am assuming that you have an jammed paper in the back door or an accordion jam in which the paper is all folded up or crinkled. if that is the case the printer needs the output assm replaced (hp part number rg5-0886). which is pretty simple take out screws for top cover remove top cover at rear of machine once cover is off there are two taabs holding assm in place depress tabs rotate assm slighlty and lift out of place reverse process to reinstall takes less than 5 minutes to complete.

HP LaserJet 4, 4m, 4 Plus and 4m Plus Series Printers - False Error Message 13 PAPER JAM ISSUE: After clearing all jammed paper from the HP LaserJet 4, 4m, 4 Plus, or 4m Plus series printer, the display still reads 13 Paper Jam . Even after cycling the power off and then back on, the error remains. SOLUTION: Open the rear door of the printer. There is a paper sensor near the upper right hand corner of the fusing assembly (just below the right edge of the long yellow warning sticker on the fuser) that can cause paper jam error messages even when there is no jammed paper in the printer. Toggle the thin black plastic lever up and down to make sure it is not stuck or sticky. The lever should be in the down position before closing the back of the printer. If the lever is stuck or missing, the printer will generate a false paper jam message. Hope it will help you !