HP LaserJet Printers - Printer Emits Steam or Moisture

Issue

Steam or vapor is visible above the output tray, and moisture might appear on the trailing edge of printouts. The printouts might be damp, wet, or curled. If steam is released from the product, it might appear to be smoke.

Cause

Heat and moisture, created by the printing process, dissipate through vents on the back of the product or through an internal fan. Moisture can sometimes appear on the trailing edge of the paper on small print jobs.

The amount of moisture is small, even though it is visible. When the paper is released from the product, small droplets of water are sometimes deposited on the trailing edge of the paper. In a few minutes, the moisture on the paper evaporates. After the moisture evaporates, the paper is not deformed in any way.

Paper can absorb moisture in high humidity environments. When paper that has absorbed moisture is heated very quickly, the warm, moist air from the paper leaves the product and encounters cooler air. This produces vapor.

HP has tested the performance of this product thoroughly, and this moisture is part of the normal operation of the product. The vapor occurs because moisture condenses in the output area until the internal temperature reaches a level at which no condensation occurs

Workaround

Follow the steps in this section to work around the issue.

Verify that the product does not have a functional problem

Make sure that the product is emitting steam instead of smoke and that the product does not have a functional problem.

Use the On button () to turn the product off.
Wait 10 seconds and then use the On button () to turn the product on.
Print a document.

If the print job is successful, the product does not have a functional problem. Continue with the next step.

If the print job is not successful, the product has a functional problem. Continue with the "Service the product" section.

note:
A product with any smoking parts does not function.
If steam or vapor is visible when the product prints, immediately reprint the print job on the same piece of paper. There might be no vapor or less vapor visible while reprinting.

If the product prints, continue with the "Workaround steps" section.

If the product does not print or if any parts inside the product are smoking, continue with the "Service the product" section.

Workaround steps

Make sure that the product is located in a well-ventilated area and that it is not under a desk.
In the print driver, which can often be accessed using the Print option on the File menu in the application being printed from, select a paper type setting for light-weight media.
Use standard, 75 gsm (20 lb.) copy paper.
Do not place the product or store paper near a door that leads to the outside. Fluctuations in temperature can increase humidity and cause the paper to absorb extra moisture.
Use a new, unopened ream of paper. The new ream of paper has not absorbed any extra moisture.
Store open reams of paper in airtight containers. This helps prevent the paper from absorbing any extra moisture.

Service the product

note:
Use this section only if the product does not print. If the product prints, do not use this section.

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.