Laserjet 2300 Multi Page Duplex Jam: a Solenoid Fix

There are many descriptions of this problem online (here for example: www.fixyourownp..., but I couldn't find any pictures or videos detailing precisely how and where this problem occurs. So in the interest of extending the life of HP 2300's everywhere and providing a public service, I made one myself.
I'm no professional videographer, and I shot this with an Lumix LX-5, so the video cuts a bit in places - sorry about that. Hopefully this is helpful to someone.
edit: July 2020. I guess some of you were having problems finding a service manual PDF for this printer. My last link broke, too! Try this link - www.printerpar... - and go to page 158 for a good start. Someone shoot me a PM if that link breaks and I'll fix it. I just generally don't like rehosting copyrighted content like service manuals on my own servers, sorry. Happy to link to wherever they are on the internet, though.

[@treb0re]

I've had an HP Laserjet 2200DN for 10 years and it was easily 5 years old when I got it. I've had the issue for about 2 years and finally got around to looking into it, I could print one page consistently but after following your guide I'm now printing duplex and back 100% operational! All of the 3x solenoids were sticking. I used a few strips of electrical tape to shield them. Thank you, you've saved this printer from the scrap heap.

[@AronHsiao]

Thanks for this-found the video because I was having the two-page-feed/paper jam problem in duplexing. Once I heard the explanation of the problem, I pulled out a screwdriver and a bottle of Goo-Gone and the fix took about half an hour. For those wanting directions to get the area shown in the video exposed-just sort of follow your nose. The rough order of disassembly is: 1) Side of printer (interface side, not power switch side) off-no screws, just a little plastic latch and a slide (look at the bottom of the printer where that face meets the bottom, you'll see the slide mechanism; the latch is just under the top cover, on the right near the front. 2) Remove interface/memory board-about 5 screws. If you have a JetDirect card in, remove that first. Just detach all the cables (one ribbon, two sets of wires). They'll be easy to remember where to stick, it's a 1:1 fit all around when reassembling. 3) Remove the back cover of the printer (two screws). 4) Remove the top cover of the printer. This is the most fiddly bit, the top cover connects to a large plastic lever/switch assembly on the right side. You'll have to disconnect this and let it drop through the hole in the top cover (use some needle-nose pliers or similar-gently). 5) Remove the front user interface panel. This isn't too hard-some screws and a metal plate. 6) Now take out about 4 large plastic-threaded screws and another three sheet metal screws and the entire metal panel comes away-a bit. It'll be tugging on three cables, one ribbon cable, one bundle of wires, and one ground wire. They're all connected just on the other side of the plastic wall; you'll have free access to disconnect them all with your hands, no problem here. 7) Lift away the entire metal assembly and you'll see the view in this video. The three solenoids are held in place by a single screw. I didn't disconnect the actual wires, just undid the screw and it gave me more than enough room to work with. Used goo gone, an X-Acto knife (to scrape the glue more quickly) and some Q-Tips to clean them all off. Then reattached the spring on each of them. 9. Reverse the entire process. Again, the hardest bit for me was reconnecting the top cover because of it's connection through the hole to the base of the printer on the right arm. This probably even sounds more complicated than it is if you're mechanically inclined. Just follow your nose and the general order (side panel, interface board, back cover, top cover) and be methodical about figuring out how each piece is connected. There are no special tools required and no part is particularly tricky or dangerous-no four-letter words needed.

[@visionintegrations]

AWESOME, thank you sir!!!! That was EXACTLY the problem. I've torn this thing apart a couple times with little progress before, then I watched half of your video, I took it apart, I cleaned the contacts, and it worked!!!.....For about 10 pages.....so I watched the rest of your video, smacked myself up the head about the dang now obvious magnetism, tore it apart again, fixed that, and now BOOM! We are good to go!!! Just printed 120 pages duplex without a single issue on this old 17 year old printer. Thank you thank you thank you!! :D

[@CurryCurry]

thanks man, somebody tossed this thing out and I managed to fix it this way. Now I got myself a nice perfectly working laserprinter for free :)

[@micuitar8426]

thanks for this video, after years of non duplex printing the 2300dn now works smoothly again. I used two layers of Gaffa Tape as spacers and it just works fine.

[@eungikim68kimeungi67]

Thank you. This is what I needed. Although I don't have this model, you did a good job explaining the solenoid and the potential problems associated with it.

[@DouglasRankin-k6e]

I have 2 of these machines from about 2003 with this same problem on Tray 1 and 2. All relays were sticking with the pad adhesive breaking down to a tacky mush. Fixed with your instructions. Many thanks sorted easily.

[@FidelC2k]

Thanks for this awesome video! You have saved my day, my studies, my relationship AND my printer!

[@jonjen2]

Just fixed my 2300DN as well, I used super thin Zip ties for the buffer for the anti magnetic properties.... works like it did 9 years ago when new. Thank you for the information, I knew it was a timing issue, never ever would have thought that HP was dumb enough to do what they did.

[@cyborgdale]

To avoid any issues from adhesive, find some heat shrink tubing that is wide enough and cut a ring from it. Put the loop in place on the tab of the solenoid and shrink it with a hair drier. Do use anything hotter to avoid damage to the solenoid. You now have your bumper and no possible issue with adhesive in the future. You can get an assortment of heat shrink tubing from Harbor Freight (or possibly Amazon).

[@5822375]

I also don't trust adhesive and electrical tape. Shrink tubing is a good solution. I will also try a short piece of silicon tubing. Jonathan Ohrt suggested super thin Zip ties for the buffer.

[@josiahjohnston]

Thank you so much for this! Worked great for me. Was about to post a picture of the retaining clip's location, but saw Michał Kowol already got it. For those wanting pictures to go along with Aron's instructions, google "hp laserjet 2300 repair manual" then follow the link to the internet archive (archive.org...) and follow a link there to nab the pdf.

[@robstevenson9352]

Thanks so much for this info. I've been thinking it was a paper stock batch that was catching, but have noticed the printer grabs the next page at a repeated pattern of slightly irregular intervals and it jams at one particular part of this cycle. I'm looking forward to putting your advice to good use. Thanks again!

[@cal7110]

These printers are great. Must be close to 20 years old now. Super cheap to run. Fixed all my trays also can duplex print again without jamming.

[@heiseheise]

Glad this video is still helping folks.

[@kenb.1725]

Thanks for the awesome video! I was able to fix my 20-year-old HP LaserJet 1100. It started printing like a new printer.

[@umxrr8677]

I took out parts from this same printer now im looking at what are they?

[@nikoladerezic4841]

Thanks to your video I managed to fix my 2300n printer! I used duckt tape as the buffer replacement and it workes as new! (I made sure that duckt tape is wrapped around the metal part, so no sticky part is exposed). Thanks a lot and keep the good work!

[@hyperlogos]

years from now the adhesive will turn to powder :)

[@martincrockford4891]

Thanks. This just saved my 2200n from the scrap heap.

[@mtzblass]

Thanks !!! I have about 30 printers with the same problem. The solenoid is really difficult to buy, I mean, Is impossible to change the piece, but the other hand this video help me to resolve my problems!!!

[@solaadebisi8892]

Hello, I have followed the instruction to the letter but still getting duplex paper jams at about Page 5/6. What would you suggest I look at next?

[@johnadams6440]

Excellent video. I have been able to avoid jamming by only printing one page at a time. But this seems like a simple fix to a frustrating problem.I shall give it a try. Thank you.

[@daryler]

This fixed my problem. I had to fumble my way through getting the printer apart to get to the solenoid. Could not find a video on showing my how to remove the cover.

[@timurodinaev5941]

У меня такой же принтер и была такая же проблема. В качестве подложки использовал пластиковую крышку от принглз. Фиксировал при помощи термоусадки. Кстати, если у вас принтер модели 2300n, то его можно перешить в 2300dn, тода появится режим дуплексной печати.

[@ananiscorporation3718]

i have the model CM2320FXI MFP, and i receive the message "Front cover opened" even if this one is closed, what should i do ?

[@Yunesieh]

that work for me, thank you for sharing

[@adilbaig6092]

Can you recommend a video to get to where you started your video?

[@heiseheise]

sorry, as an amateur printer technician from before when videos were popular, I just used the official PDF guide from HP to take the side panels off. Best of luck finding a video, if you do find one, feel free to respond and I will post it in this video's description.

[@cctvwholesaler9504]

Excellent Video by "heiseheise". Can I "glue a plastic" to the solenoid using superglue?. Is superglue recommended? I do have this printer in the office that has been abandoned for five years now due to paper jam. I will try and fix the paper jam issue and provide a feedback when finished. Also thanks to Michal Kowol for the photo illustration of where the clip should go.

[@mendocinobartending336]

Hello, thanks for your video! When i took off the last large part, 2 tiny springs and a plastic piece (White, triangle on one end, then a tube like thing stick off the triangle piece) fell out..any thoughts where it went? Thanks for this video! yay for restoring a gifted 17 year old printer!

[@heiseheise]

The tiny springs might come from the solenoids itself? I know that each solenoid has a little spring to pop the solenoid back out to its 'ready' state after the electromagnet powers off. Sorry, I don't work on printers much anymore - this video was my one and only foray into the 'making help videos for youtube' market!

[@tousisat1]

thanks alot. I don't have the same printer but i think that i could fix my problem with that help. I have jam 0 problem and nothing is stuck in my printer

[@gillesgagnon]

Thanks so much for this excellent video. Quick question, can this solenoid issue also be the cause of single page duplex printing issues? In other words, It jams even when when attempting to print one page, double sided. (prints OK single sided regardless of the number of pages). Any confirmation on this would be appreciated. Cheers!

[@heiseheise]

Yes, there is probably (although I don't know for sure - it's been 5.5 years since I made the video and I don't do nearly as much printer work anymore) a solenoid that is controlling the return of the paper from its first side, back into the machine to be flipped over to do the other side. If your jam seems to be occurring at that between-sides point, when the paper is going back into be duplexed, then it's likely that there's a sticky solenoid around the duplexer area. Good luck!

[@gillesgagnon]

@@heiseheise Fantastic. I really appreciate your input and vote of confidence on this one. Given your hunch, I'll tackle it :). I completely understand that the video is old and so appreciate your feedback even the more. Thanks again.

[@heiseheise]

@@gillesgagnon Right; I've fixed the service manual link in my description too. I didn't realize it was broken; sorry.

[@gillesgagnon]

@@heiseheise np... I didn't know it was broken... it was kind of you to do this :)

[@joeymaten2554]

Thank you very much! This problem has been bothering me for 1 year. Before, I was always searching for 'paper jam'. Once I suddenly found the image is not correctly centered, but shift downwards significantly I finally realize is not the pick up roller, but must be some error in the timing. I changed my searching term to 'jam only duplex' That's when I finally found your video. Thank you so so much. But after my careless re-assembly, it first fails 5 pages, like jam or blur or all kinds of different errors, and then it go back to normal gradually. Only one thing not normal, while I was printing, now it says a 'Attention with the ability to continue' (=Red light blinking + Go light On) Any one has same situation? Thanks again.

[@skip530768]

thanks, the tape fixed my old hp1300n

[@adhvikpulkitjain9041]

How many layer of tape we have to put and of what kind of tape, can we use electric tape

[@heiseheise]

I would recommend not using electrical tape because of how soft it is. Remember, the solenoid parts are going to be striking with force. Anything that can "sink in" might cause problems down the road. I'd stick with "invisible/clear" tape instead.

[@richardrudnicki9003]

Thanks alot, I have two of these that were doing the same thing. I fixed one and getting ready to fix the other.

[@florihupf]

you are the man! thank you!

[@geraldcmoi3775]

I did it to resolve a jam problem, but my HP laserjet 2300 do not detect cartridge anymore 😭 i will check everything again :/

[@hyperlogos]

I tried to do this fix and now my printer just clicks loudly twice when trying to feed from tray 2, and nothing else happens. (A paper jam is reported, but no paper rollers spin.) What did I do wrong? Tray 1 works fine. And I also have a Tray 3, and THAT works.

[@heiseheise]

You doublechecked all the solenoid connections? Sorry, it's been years since I've had to do one of these fixes now (we've gotten rid of most of our old printers in my department), nothing is coming to mind.

[@rrlohr]

Great.. other web postings guided me to the solenoid bumpers, but I stopped after cleaning them off. If the duplex solenoid is left bare, the timing WILL be incorrect, and the machine will jam on every duplex page. So, as heiseheise points out, that little peice of tape (I used a double thickness) is VITAL. Thanks for saving my 2300s from the scrap heap!!

[@AronHsiao]

Hmmm-I didn't see this comment before doing the job myself and I left it bare-and just printed about 600 duplex pages after reassembling. So in some cases it may work-YMMV, all.

[@ElectricEvan]

Thank you very much for making this!

[@snawbadde2371]

I'm pretty sure this will fix my problem, thank you very much

[@CezarPokorski]

It's amusing, how much time you can waste looking for those „plenty of guides available online for getting the printer to this state”. Still looking…

[@heiseheise]

Sorry, I didn't realize the link in my description had been taken out. Check out the description now, I've put in a different link.

[@jimmytho5424]

Thanks for the video, it help me solve my problem at a service call.

[@eslam841]

Great Video and explanation

[@wheelen15]

Excellent and accurate video thanks

[@gillesgagnon]

Hi again folks. I know this is an old post but hoping someone can point me in the right direction so our trustee LJ2200 doesn't go to the scrap heap. I fixed the solenoids as indicated. I re-assembled the printer but I get no motor function whatsoever The lights cycle and then the Warning light blinks. The manual indicates it can be so many things. What could is/are the most likely cause? Cheers,

[@heiseheise]

Sorry Giles, you might need to find a local printer tech for that one. you say "no motor function" and yeah it could be a lot of things. you need a company that has various spare parts for the 2200 so that trial and error might help you figure it out. I wish you the best of luck...

[@gillesgagnon]

np @@heiseheise . I appreciate your comment. I got the motors going. It was the cover switch not being activated. The new issue is now a paper jam report..with no paper jam visible. So... enough time wasted on this old beast, we purchased a new multi-function Brother. Happy campers once again :). LJ2200 off to the landfill unfortunately.

[@heiseheise]

@@gillesgagnon Darn, I'm so sorry to hear that :-( At least you tried though! Perhaps put it on craigslist or in your local swap mailing list as a free item? I just hate to see a still-maybe-fixable printer sent to the landfill. I hope the Brother serves you well! They're what I recommend to my clients as good 1-2 person printers for the TCO (total cost of ownership) they give us.

[@gillesgagnon]

@@heiseheise, np... As obvious as your great suggestion is, I hadn't thought of it lol. I will definitely offer it for free on craigslist and kijiji. Thanks for the vote of confidence re: Brother. First time purchasing a Brother. So far the experience has been fantastic. Appears to be a fine company with great customer support :)

[@alxbr2004]

big thanks! where is the "donate" button?

[@heiseheise]

Ha! Don't need one, thanks for offering. I have a good office job and making videos is not my living.

[@mfiers]

Thank you so much for this video! It took me 1 hour to fix my printer, and now it is like a new. Here is the pic from the little metal part you mention at the end of the video. Thanks again! www.fierostudio.hu/hplj2200-part.jpg

[@vladimirk9860]

Could you please update link? I have the same problem :)

[@janneerso5413]

Thank you so much for this video! Using your instructions, I was able to fix our office printer and hopefully keep this old workhorse going for a few more years. By the way the link to the repair manual seems to be broken again. I found one on manualslib.com though.

[@heiseheise]

Thanks, I've pointed the URL to manualslib now....

[@successloo2219]

that little clip part is to ground the network card box to the chassis , not needed.

[@confortitalia]

somebody Know from where are 1 piece of circular solid metalwith 4 - 5 mm diametter and 1mm thikness ? After put band on solenoid my printer does not recognize cartdrige and when does prints awfull pages with much grey over it;;;; BUT if I keep the printer on 45 degree it see the cartridge and print grey, so what should i CHECK NEXT ?

[@confortitalia]

Confort Italia OK I repaired the imprimant, that piece of metal was from a LEVER of some kind who stop one arc (springs) to enter in the second arc when cartridge is inserted in it's place, and a little piece of metal like a nail is forced to PUSH the cartdrige some milimeters from right to left ( when TOP cover is pressed DOWN). Hope it helps others ... who has these problem ( mine FIRST was duplex printing JAM, after cleaning the 3 solenoids and cover with electric band appear eroor with cartridge not installed) - and now is fixed and works great !!! - just a little more noise make now !

[@philipgreenspun8806]

+john looActually that little copper clip is for grounding the plug-in network CARD's frame, the box itself is already grounded. I still wonder if it is really necessary though it's not a bad idea. . Replacing the foam buffers on the solenoids with small pieces cut from a dead bicycle inner tube (33 thousandths thickness plus or minus) using either double stick Scotch type tape or an appropriate adhesive works perfectly. No noise and I doubt they will ever die (The material HP should have used in the first place).

[@kroko23]

thank you man. I solved my printer.

[@samickguitar7399]

thanks i fixed my hp p1102 printer

[@dchomak]

These printers come from the early 2000's about 12 years ago my friends and I got some of these from a surplus store and they worked fine for many years. Recently they needed this repair and we came up with the idea of using heat shrink tubing for the bumper. No sticky glue to cause problems later! drive.google.com/file/d/1rdZUTfLkQ38d-l2KGiXvCiNKW5bNscmn/view?usp=sharing drive.google.com/file/d/1RG2qhpXT5Gw0fW3frvB1uLYyruTloWH1/view?usp=sharing drive.google.com/file/d/1ipMzT6X5XncVuiaG-WoR5EgBGeI4HNvQ/view?usp=sharing

[@heiseheise]

Your google drive links don't work, if you were trying to show pics of the heatshrink tubing (imgur or other public-based image hosts might work better rather than something tied to your google account?) but that is a great idea, thanks for sharing!

[@mtzblass]

Ok perfect! Thanks a lot!!!! \o/

[@shahadchoudhury6929]

a bit of info on getting the printer apart: h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/forums/postsuccesspage/board-id/Install/message-id/359617

[@MichaKowol]

I know where this little part from the end of the movie goes - it is for hold the network card in one place. Photo: imgur(dot)com/3AJCv7k