Resolving Ink Smear in HP OfficeJet Pro X451dn

Having ink smears problem with your HP OfficeJet Pro X451dn? This digital inkjet printer is merely designed to deliver high quality printing resolution at speed the same as the ones that color laser printers have. This printer for example can print up to 55 pages per minute at 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution. And thanks to its printer cartridges, the HP 970XL, 971XL ink cartridges: HP CN625AM, HP CN626AM, HP CN627AM and HP CN628AM, it can produce professional looking prints at 50% less of its printing costs.

However, what will you do if this printer of yours starting to produce printouts with ink smears? Well, this article will provide you with the perfect solution on how to fix this problem. You see, an overfilled paper tray usually cause a paper jam which in return can also cause a fragment of paper to be stuck in the printer. These problems can affect print quality and can cause ink smearing.

To fix the paper jam in the paper path of your HP OfficeJet Pro X451dn, here are the steps you should follow:

Clear jams in Tray 1

1. If the jammed sheet is visible and easily accessible in Tray 1, pull it from Tray 1.
2. The jammed sheet may also be accessible by removing Tray 2 and removing the jammed sheet by pulling it to the right and then out of the product.
3. If the jammed sheet is not visible or easily accessible in Tray 1, open the left door to access the jammed sheet.
4. If the paper is still not visible or accessible, remove the duplexer by pulling it out with both hands. Set the duplexer aside, upright, on a piece of paper to prevent ink spills.
5. Lower the platen by pressing down on the green tab. This will cause the product to try to feed the sheet through the print zone. You may need to gently pull on the sheet if it does not feed. Remove the sheet.
6. Lift the green tab to place the platen back into its operating position.
7. Reinstall the duplexer.
8. Close the left door.

Clear jams in Tray 2

1. Open Tray 2 by pulling it out and releasing the latch at the rear left of the tray.
2. Remove the jammed sheet by pulling it to the right and then out of the product.
3. Close Tray 2.

Clear jams in optional Tray 3

1. Open Tray 3.
2. Remove the jammed sheet by pulling it to the right and then out of the product.
3. If the jam cannot be cleared at the tray, try clearing the jam from the Tray 3 left door.
4. Close Tray 3.

Credits: HP Support Center