Paper feed issues, what to replace

Question

LaserJet Pro 400 M401

Monochrome laser printer introduced in 2012. The printer is rated for 35 PPM and the first page comes out in 8 seconds. Depending on which model you own (a/n/dw/dn/dne), you will have different options and available features. Uses HP 80A/80X toner cartridges.

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Jack @jack74681

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Integrated Electronic Systems, Inc.

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Kul 22, 2024

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Paper feed issues, what to replace

Both the manual feeder and the paper tray feeder on my HPLaserJet Pro 400 don't pickup the paper 90% of the time. They make all the clicking and movement but don't grab the paper. I have tried cleaning all of the rubber rollers but it doesn't help.

What do I need to replace (link to the parts would be appreciated)?

I'm sure I can find a disassembly video or web page once I know what I'm replacing, but if you have a link to that as well (handy) it would also be appreciated.

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Nick @nick

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Kul 22, 2024

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You need to replace the Tray 1 pickup roller and separator pads, and the Tray 2 pickup roller and separator pad (2 PH2 screws). Most of the time that will be all you need to buy, so you may be able to save a few bucks and get just the rollers. Here's the HP SM for this model.

See here for the rollers as a replacement set (M401 is the monochrome version; the M451 color model uses different parts). Note that this kit includes the charge roller in the toner bay and both roller sets; you can leave your charge roller be if it's printing fine unless the printer has a high PC (150-200k+) and it has defects potentially relating to it or you used a crap 3rd party toner that leaked and compromised it. I wouldn't throw it away and judge if you truly need to install it, and make a judgment call; those rarely wear out until you put close to 200k in most cases.

If this was one of the newer HP DS models, I'd be inclined to mull replacement over given my experience with them, and I own an M401. That said, I have since replaced my M401n base model with an M401dne for the better formatter board as the base M401 (401n or 401a, 401a is a ROW model; we never got the 401a in the US) has 128MB vs 256MB on the dne/dn/dw.

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Thanks. The link is for a 401, I have a 400. Assume it is the same part?

crwdns2934271:0Kul 22, 2024crwdnd2934271:0 Jack crwdne2934271:0

@jack74681 The M401 is known as the Pro 400 M401. Unless you have the color variant (M451), it's a difference in how the parts are listed.

crwdns2934271:0Kul 22, 2024crwdnd2934271:0 Nick crwdne2934271:0

thanks. ordering parts...

crwdns2934271:0Kul 22, 2024crwdnd2934271:0 Jack crwdne2934271:0

@jack74681 I'm not going to defend my decision to put a dne in place of a base n model. I'll let everyone's HP DS horror stories do that 😂.

FYI: Canon makes the print engine for these. If you love the old HP printers like the 4000 series, p2055 (not you, p2015!) and 401, get a Canon. No horrible toner DRM, and it's just as good. HP had a good thing going for them, but then HP DS happened, they got greedy with HP+ (vendor lock-in that's "optional" until you take the instant ink trial out of the box, or you lose it forever) and now HP's printer leasing plan where they use HP+ "e" models you don't even own anymore. Good job HP, you chased the professionals away.

crwdns2934271:0Kul 22, 2024crwdnd2934271:0 Nick crwdne2934271:0

Note: If I know the rest of the printer is good outside of the pickup rollers, I buy the pickup rollers for the bad tray. It's a gamble, but 9/10 times you're probably fine. Normally I'm reluctant to do rollers on a lot of cheap lasers, but some of them are worthy of putting $25 down on the roller and separator; the M401 is worth fixing since the bulletproof HPs (Canon engine) are all but dead beside the enterprise models and a few remaining Canon models.

I'd rather buy the part I need then a whole kit but when the machine has a lot of usage, this doesn't work out; it's only feasible on the nice ones with pickup issues with well under 70-80k pages; think 25k or less. I've seen the Canon engines hit 250k; I wouldn't take one with 200k+ pages unless it was free but if the thing was well under 100k pages and I could resolve it with rollers I would have taken it.

crwdns2934271:0Kul 29, 2024crwdnd2934271:0 Nick crwdne2934271:0

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Thanks. The link is for a 401, I have a 400. Assume it is the same part? — Jack
@jack74681 The M401 is known as the Pro 400 M401. Unless you have the color variant (M451), it's a difference in how the parts are listed. — Nick
@jack74681 I'm not going to defend my decision to put a dne in place of a base n model. I'll let everyone's HP DS horror stories do that 😂.

FYI: Canon makes the print engine for these. If you love the old HP printers like the 4000 series, p2055 (not you, p2015!) and 401, get a Canon. No horrible toner DRM, and it's just as good. HP had a good thing going for them, but then HP DS happened, they got greedy with HP+ (vendor lock-in that's "optional" until you take the instant ink trial out of the box, or you lose it forever) and now HP's printer leasing plan where they use HP+ "e" models you don't even own anymore. Good job HP, you chased the professionals away. — Nick
Note: If I know the rest of the printer is good outside of the pickup rollers, I buy the pickup rollers for the bad tray. It's a gamble, but 9/10 times you're probably fine. Normally I'm reluctant to do rollers on a lot of cheap lasers, but some of them are worthy of putting $25 down on the roller and separator; the M401 is worth fixing since the bulletproof HPs (Canon engine) are all but dead beside the enterprise models and a few remaining Canon models.

I'd rather buy the part I need then a whole kit but when the machine has a lot of usage, this doesn't work out; it's only feasible on the nice ones with pickup issues with well under 70-80k pages; think 25k or less. I've seen the Canon engines hit 250k; I wouldn't take one with 200k+ pages unless it was free but if the thing was well under 100k pages and I could resolve it with rollers I would have taken it. — Nick