- Printers
- Inkjet printer
E4
HP E4 on an inkjet printer: real or false paper jam
Risk level
Low
Usually safe to check without specialist tools.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
The printer stopped picking up pages and reports a paper jam. Look for and remove paper in the input tray, output tray, printhead area and bottom of the printer, using both hands, then press Resume.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Do not use sharp objects such as tweezers or needle-nose pliers to remove paper: HP explicitly advises against it.
- Do not remove the input tray shield: HP says it prevents debris from falling into the paper path.
Safe checks you can perform
- Jammed paper in the four areas
- Automatic roller cleaning
- Manual pick roller cleaning
- Printer reset
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Paper feed diagnosis
- Do not attempt this professional task: Warranty review
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Paper feed diagnosis
What they doAn authorised technician checks the rollers, paper path and paper sensor with the printer open.
They must show youthe area checked and the part or sensor that does not work to HP's specification.
In writingpart replaced, part number, reason and a multi-page test print without E4.
Warranty review
What they doHP support checks warranty before repair or replacement.
They must show youthe warranty status.
In writingrepair or replacement, and cost.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Jammed paper in the four areas
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- check the input tray, output tray, printhead access area and bottom of the printer. Pull paper straight out with both hands, without tweezers or pliers.
- Result that matters:
- no paper or foreign objects left inside.
- If you remove paper:
- reload the tray and press Resume.
- If you find nothing:
- it may be a false jam; go on to roller cleaning.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the paper or debris removed.
Evidence: HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes · HP Smart Tank 210 and 500 series Printers - E4 error (Paper Jam)
Automatic roller cleaning
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- with the printer on and silent, load paper in the tray. On Smart Tank 210 and 500 series printers, press and hold Power, press Color Copy three times and Black Copy seven times, then release Power. Wait until it finishes.
- Result that matters:
- the printer cleans the paper path rollers.
- If it then picks paper correctly:
- the rollers were the cause.
- If your model does not respond to that sequence:
- check its manual; the sequence belongs to that family.
- Evidence to keep:
- note the date of the cleaning and the result.
Evidence: HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes · HP Smart Tank 210 and 500 series Printers - E4 error (Paper Jam)
Manual pick roller cleaning
- Who:
- you, with the printer off and unplugged.
- How:
- lift the input tray shield without removing it, find the grey rollers and wipe them with a long swab dampened with distilled or bottled water, rotating them upwards. Let them dry for 10 or 15 minutes.
- Result that matters:
- rollers free of dust and debris.
- If it prints without E4 after cleaning:
- solved.
- If E4 returns:
- go on to the reset.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the swab after cleaning.
Evidence: HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes · HP Smart Tank 210 and 500 series Printers - E4 error (Paper Jam)
Printer reset
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- turn off, unplug the cord from the outlet, wait 60 seconds, plug it directly into a wall outlet and turn on.
- Result that matters:
- start-up without E4.
- If it starts and prints:
- nothing more is needed.
- If E4 returns with no paper inside:
- HP says to repair or replace the product through its support.
- Evidence to keep:
- record of date, time and code after the reset.
Evidence: HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes · HP Smart Tank 210 and 500 series Printers - E4 error (Paper Jam)
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Printers
- Brand
- HP
- Product type
- Inkjet printer
Known code variants
- atasco de papel E4 HP
- Error E4 HP
- HP E4
- HP E4 error
- HP E4 impresora
- HP paper jam E4
- HP Smart Tank E4
What it means
On HP Smart Tank 210 and 500 series printers (and on 670, 720 and 750), E4 means a paper jam: the printer stops feeding pages and the Resume light blinks. HP warns that the jam can be real or false: the printer might report a jam even with no paper inside. That is why it suggests removing paper, cleaning the feed rollers and resetting. The code does not tell jammed paper, dirty rollers and a detection fault apart.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Lowsource verified
Do not use sharp objects such as tweezers or needle-nose pliers to remove paper: HP explicitly advises against it.
Evidence: HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes · HP Smart Tank 210 and 500 series Printers - E4 error (Paper Jam)
- Lowsource verified
Do not remove the input tray shield: HP says it prevents debris from falling into the paper path.
Evidence: HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes · HP Smart Tank 210 and 500 series Printers - E4 error (Paper Jam)
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Paper jammed somewhereCommon
HP lists four areas: input tray, output tray, printhead access area and bottom of the printer. You confirm it by seeing paper or debris.
Evidence: HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes · HP Smart Tank 210 and 500 series Printers - E4 error (Paper Jam)
- Dirty feed rollersPossible
Dust and paper fibre on the rollers cause jams and pick failures. Suspect it if no paper is visible and the error repeats.
Evidence: HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes · HP Smart Tank 210 and 500 series Printers - E4 error (Paper Jam)
- False jamPossible
HP says the printer might report a jam with no paper inside. Considered when every area is clear.
Evidence: HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes · HP Smart Tank 210 and 500 series Printers - E4 error (Paper Jam)
- Unsuitable or badly loaded paperPossible
Bent, mixed, too thick or too thin paper makes jams more likely, according to HP's tips.
Evidence: HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes · HP Smart Tank 210 and 500 series Printers - E4 error (Paper Jam)
Virtual technician
Does E4 still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes
HP Support · official_doc
- 2
HP Smart Tank 210 and 500 series Printers - E4 error (Paper Jam)
HP Support · official_doc
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