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HP DeskJet 3700 Printers - 'E4' Error (Paper Jam)

This document is for HP DeskJet 3720, 3721, 3722, 3730, 3732, 3733, 3735, 3750, 3752, 3755, 3758, 3760, 3762, 3764 DeskJet Ink Advantage 3775, 3776. 3778, 3785, 3786, 3787, 3788, 3789, and 3790 All-in-One printers.
During printing the printer stops feeding pages, and the control panel displays an alternating E and 4. The Error icon , Paper Error icon , and Resume light also blink. This indicates that paper might be jammed inside the printer.
note:
Paper jams can be real or false. The printer might report a paper jam even when there is no jammed paper. The following steps apply to both real and false paper jams.
    Control panel with paper jam error
  1. Paper Error icon
  2. Error icon
  3. Alternating E and 4
  4. Resume light

Step 1: Clear all paper from the input tray

Remove all loose and jammed paper from the input tray area.
  caution:
Remove all paper or objects from the input tray before removing paper or objects from any other areas of the printer. Damage to the printer can occur if the input tray is not cleared first.
  1. Remove all paper from the input tray, including both loose and jammed paper.
  2. Check for any jammed paper or objects in the input tray area, and then remove any jammed paper or objects you find.
    To avoid tearing any whole sheets of paper, pull the paper with both hands.
    note:
    The input tray shield prevents foreign debris from falling into the paper path and causing paper jams. Do not remove the input tray shield.
     Removing jammed paper from the input tray
  3. Press the Cancel button .
    The printer tries to clear the jam automatically.
After removing all paper or objects from the input tray area, continue to the next step to remove any additional jammed paper from the output tray.

Step 2: Clear jammed paper from the output tray

Remove any loose or jammed paper that is accessible from the output tray.
Check for any jammed paper or objects in the output tray area, and then remove any jammed paper or objects you find.
To avoid tearing any whole sheets of paper, pull the paper with both hands.
Removing any jammed paper from the output tray
After removing jammed paper or objects from the output tray, continue to the next step to remove jammed paper from the ink cartridge access area.

Step 3: Clear jammed paper from the ink cartridge access area

Remove any loose or jammed paper that is accessible from the ink cartridge access area, and then make sure the carriage moves freely.
  1. Open the ink cartridge access door.
    Opening the ink cartridge access door
  2. Wait until the carriage is idle and silent before you continue.
  3. With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord and any other cables from the rear of the printer.
      warning:
    You must unplug the power cord to move the carriage by hand and reset the paper feed mechanism without the risk of electrical shock.
  4. Check for any paper or objects in the ink cartridge access area, and then remove any paper or objects you find.
    To avoid tearing any whole sheets of paper, pull the paper with both hands.
    Removing jammed paper from the ink cartridge access area
  5. Firmly push the carriage to the right, and then remove any paper or objects blocking the carriage path.
  6. Close the ink cartridge access door.
    Closing the ink cartridge access door
  7. Reconnect the power cord and any other cables, and then turn on the printer.
Try to print. If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

Step 4: Reset the printer

Sometimes, the printer can display an error message even after the issue has been resolved. Reset the printer to clear the error.
  1. Turn on the printer, if it is not already on.
  2. Wait until the printer is idle and silent before you continue.
  3. With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.
  4. Wait at least 10 seconds.
  5. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.
  6. Turn on the printer, if it does not automatically turn on.
    The printer might go through a warm-up period. The printer lights might flash, and the carriage might move.
  7. Wait until the warm-up period finishes and your printer is idle and silent before you continue.
Try to print. If the error persists, continue to the next step.

Step 5: Manually clean the paper feed rollers

Dust, paper fiber, and other debris might accumulate on the paper feed rollers and cause paper jams and paper feed issues. Clean the rollers inside the printer, and then try to print again.
  1. Turn off the printer, and then disconnect the power cord and any other cables.
      warning:
    You must unplug the power cord to move the carriage by hand and reset the paper feed mechanism without the risk of electrical shock.
  2. Raise the input tray and the input tray extender.
    Raising the input tray and the input tray extender
  3. Lift and hold the input tray shield.
    note:
    Do not remove the input tray shield. The input tray shield prevents foreign debris from falling into the paper path and causing paper jams.
  4. Look down through the open input tray and find the gray paper pick rollers. You might need a flashlight to illuminate the area.
    Paper pick rollers
  5. Lightly dampen the cotton swab with water, and then squeeze any excess liquid from the swab.
  6. Press the swab against the rollers, and then rotate them upward with your fingers. Apply a moderate amount of pressure to remove dust or dirt buildup.
  7. Release the input tray shield.
  8. Allow the rollers to dry completely (approximately 10 minutes).
  9. Reconnect the power cord and any other cables, and then turn on the printer.
Try to print. If the error persists, continue to the next step.

Step 6: Service the printer

Service or replace your HP product if the issue persists after completing all the preceding steps.
Go to Contact HP Customer Support to schedule a product repair or replacement. If you are in Asia Pacific, you will be directed to a local service center in your area.
To confirm your warranty status, go to HP Product Warranty Check. Repair fees might apply for out-of-warranty products.