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When trying to print, an error message appears that the printer is out of paper when the tray has paper

Barry Shinberg 5 Reputation points
2025-12-02T01:11:15.5633333+00:00

When trying to print, an error message appears that the printer is out of paper when the tray has paper

Windows for business | Windows Server | Networking | Other
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  1. AI answer

    2025-12-02T01:11:24.2433333+00:00

    If your printer is showing an error message indicating that it is out of paper while the tray is indeed loaded with paper, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take:

    1. Check the Paper Alignment: Ensure that the paper is properly aligned in the tray. Sometimes, misalignment can cause the printer to not recognize the paper.
    2. Inspect the Paper Type: Make sure that the type of paper you are using is compatible with your printer. Some printers may not recognize certain types of paper.
    3. Clear Paper Jams: Check for any paper jams in the printer. Even a small piece of paper stuck in the mechanism can trigger the out-of-paper error.
    4. Printer Settings: Verify the printer settings on your computer. Ensure that the correct paper size and type are selected in the print settings.
    5. Restart the Printer: Sometimes, simply restarting the printer can resolve temporary glitches that may cause this error.
    6. Check for Updates: Ensure that your printer drivers are up to date. Outdated drivers can lead to communication issues between the printer and the computer.
    7. Physical Inspection: Physically examine the printer for any other error messages or indicators that might provide more information about the issue.

    If the problem persists after trying these steps, consider consulting the printer's manual or contacting support for further assistance.

    References:

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  2. Daphne Huynh (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 660 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-12-02T02:19:28.8966667+00:00

    Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A Platform!

    Regarding your issue if your printer reports “out of paper” even though the tray has paper loaded, I would like to recommend you troubleshooting steps to help you through this issue.

    1. Basic Checks

    • Verify that paper is correctly loaded, with no jams or misalignment.
    • Adjust the paper guides so they fit snugly but are not too tight.
    • Remove the stack, fan the sheets to reduce sticking and reload.

    2. Hardware & Sensor Inspection

    • Check the tray and paper path for debris or foreign objects.
    • Inspect the tray for worn or damaged parts.
    • If accessible, gently clean the paper sensor.

    3. Driver and Software Troubleshooting

    • Restart the Print Spooler service on the PC.
    • Test printing from different apps or file types.
    • Update or reinstall the printer driver.

    4. Network and Connectivity Checks

    • If it’s a network printer, make sure it’s properly connected and reachable.
    • Try printing from another computer to confirm whether the issue is device specific.

    5. Advanced Troubleshooting

    • Review Event Viewer → PrintService logs for related errors.
    • Remove and reinstall any third-party print drivers.
    • Delete the Client Side Rendering (CSR) registry key if corruption is suspected.
    • Remove duplicate or ghost printer entries from Devices and Printers.

    6. Hardware Replacement

    If the printer uses a network interface card (NIC) and the issue only affects this device, consider replacing the NIC.

    7. Advisory

    If the problem continues, I suggest you opening a support ticket so we can gather diagnostic logs or contact the printer manufacturer for deeper analysis.

    8. Reference

    Device Error States - Windows drivers | Microsoft Learn

    Thank you for asking your question and I hope you have a great day.

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