Quick Reference Guide 8550, 8550N, 8550DN, 8550GN, 8550MFP Printer English Printed on at least 50% Total Recycled Fiber with at least 10% Post-Consumer Paper Copyright© 2000 Hewlett-Packard Co. Printed in USA 04/00 Manual Part No.
Quick Reference Guide HP LaserJet 8550, 8550N, 8550DN, 8550GN, 8550MFP Printer
©2000 Hewlett-Packard Company All Rights Reserved. Reproduction, adaptation, or translation without prior written permission is prohibited, except as allowed under the copyright laws. Publication number C7096-90904 First edition, April 2000 Warranty The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. Hewlett-Packard makes no warranty of any kind with respect to this information.
Contents Printer Information ..................................................... 2 Control Panel Features .............................................. 5 Using the Printer Online Help System.......................... 5 Using the Printer Control Panel.................................... 6 Printer Control Panel Messages................................... 9 Loading Media .......................................................... 17 Media Specifications ..................................................
Printer Information Configurations This printer is available in five configurations, as described below: HP Color LaserJet 8550 The HP Color LaserJet 8550 comes standard with a 100-sheet tray 1, a 500-sheet tray 3, a printer stand, and 32 MB RAM. HP Color LaserJet 8550N The HP Color LaserJet 8550N comes standard with a 100-sheet tray 1, a 500-sheet tray 2, a 500-sheet tray 3, a printer stand, 32 MB RAM, an HP JetDirect print server (10/100 Base-TX), and an internal hard disk.
HP Color LaserJet 8550DN The HP Color LaserJet 8550DN comes standard with a 100-sheet tray 1, a 500-sheet tray 2, a 500-sheet tray 3, a (tray 4) 2,000-sheet input tray, a duplexer, 64 MB RAM, an HP JetDirect print server (10/100 Base-TX), an internal hard disk, and five stabilizing legs.
HP Color LaserJet 8550MFP The HP Color LaserJet 8550MFP comes standard with a 100-sheet tray 1, a 500-sheet tray 2, a 500-sheet tray 3, a duplexer, 64 MB RAM, an HP JetDirect print server (10/100 Base-TX), an internal hard disk, a printer/copy module stand, and a copy module.
Control Panel Features Using the Printer Online Help System This printer features an online Help system that provides instructions for resolving most printer errors. Certain control panel error messages alternate with instructions on accessing the online help system. Whenever a appears in an error message or a message alternates with FOR HELP PRESS THE ? KEY, press the ITEM key to navigate through a sequence of instructions.
Using the Printer Control Panel The following figure shows the locations of printer control panel features. A Go Brings the printer online or offline, and exits menus. B Menu Accesses the printer control panel menus to set the printer defaults. This key permits both forward and backward movement through the list of available menus. C Display Presents data about the printer (such as printer status, required actions, or data and print errors) in one or two lines of characters.
D -Value+ Steps through the value choices for a particular menu item using -/+. This key permits both forward and backward movement through the values. E Cancel Job Stops the currently printing job from printing. If no job is printing and the display indicates that a job is processing, CANCEL JOB cancels the currently processing job and the next job begins printing. While the job is being canceled, CANCELING JOB is displayed. F Item Steps through the items in a particular menu.
H Data Indicator (green) • On—Data is in the printer buffer, or the printer is processing data. • Off—The printer buffer is empty. • Flashing—The printer is receiving or processing data. I Attention Indicator (amber) • On—An error has occurred in the printer. • Off—The printer does not require attention. • Flashing—The printer requires attention. J EN Select Selects the item or value currently shown on the printer control panel display. An asterisk (*) is displayed when an item has been selected.
Printer Control Panel Messages The following are common printer control panel messages for conditions that will cause the printer to stop working. For a more complete list of messages, see the online user guide, or contact the system administrator. Control Panel Message Description Recommended Action 41.3 UNEXPECTED PAPER SIZE LOAD TRAY 1 Tray 1 is configured for one media size, but the printer detects that a different size has been fed from tray 1.
Control Panel Message Description Recommended Action CLEAR MAILBOX JAM The printer senses a media jam in the multi-bin mailbox. See “To clear jams from a finishing device (the optional multi-bin mailbox, 3000-sheet stapler, 3000-sheet stapler/stacker)” on page 48. CLEAR OUTPUT JAM UPPER LEFT DOOR The printer senses a media jam in the top output bin. See “To clear top output bin and upper left door jams” on page 47. CLEAR PAPER JAM The printer senses a media jam.
Control Panel Message Description Recommended Action DRUM ERROR REPLACE KIT The printer has detected an error in the imaging drum. Printing cannot continue until the drum kit has been replaced. See the installation guide included with the drum kit. DRUM LIFE LOW REPLACE KIT The imaging drum is almost past its specified life. Although printing can continue, the drum kit should be replaced for optimum printer operation. See the installation guide included with the drum kit.
Control Panel Message Description Recommended Action INSTALL TONER One or more of the four toner cartridges are either not installed or not correctly installed in the printer. can be cyan, magenta, yellow, or black. Insert the cartridge or make sure the installed cartridge is fully seated in the printer. INSTALL FUSER LOWER LEFT DOOR The printer has detected that the fuser is not installed.
Control Panel Message Description Recommended Action MAILBOX COMM ERROR CHECK CABLES AND CYCLE POWER Indicates a communication error between the multi-bin mailbox and the printer. Verify that the communication and power cables are connected. Press GO to continue printing. If the message persists, turn the printer off and on to reset the printer. If the condition still persists, contact a local authorized HP dealer or service representative for service.
Control Panel Message Description Recommended Action POWERSAVE ON The printer is in power save mode. Clear this message by pressing any key or by sending a print job to the printer. PROCESSING COPY OF The printer is processing a proof and print or mopy print job. No action is required. SEPARATOR OUTPUT BIN FULL The multi-bin mailbox output bins are full. Remove all media from the output bins on the multi-bin mailbox. STACKER OUTPUT BIN FULL The multi-bin mailbox output bins are full.
Control Panel Message Description Recommended Action TONER LOW REPLACE The printer is almost out of the specified toner. can be cyan, magenta, yellow, or black. Although printing can continue, the toner cartridge should be replaced for optimum printer operation. See the installation guide included with the toner cartridge. TONER OUT REPLACE The printer is out of the specified color of toner. can be cyan, magenta, yellow, or black.
Control Panel Message Description Recommended Action TRAY X EMPTY A tray not currently selected has run out of media. Load the media type and size specified on the display. TRAY X LOAD CHECK CONTROL PANEL SETTING There is a user request for a media size that is not currently installed in the printer. -OrThe tray has run out of media. Load the media specified on the display, and configure the input tray in the printer control panel.
Loading Media Media Specifications The table below contains information about loading media including special types such as transparencies, envelopes, labels, and prepunched media. For more complete information on media specifications for this printer, see the online user guide. Tray Media Type & Size Media Weight Orientation 1 Paper Heavy paper (28 to 58 lb; 105 to 216 g/m2) Letter A4 Executive Legal 11-by-17 inch A3 A5 Custom sizes: minimum 3.9 by 7.5 inch maximum 12 by 18.
Tray Media Type & Size Media Weight Orientation 1 Labels Letter A4 — Face up, with the long edge toward the printer 2 3 4 Paper Letter A4 Executive Legal Trays 3 and 4 only 11-by-17 inch A3 16 to 28 lb (60 to 105 g/m2) SS: Face down DS: Face up L&F: Short edge (top) toward the rear of tray Prepunched media Letter A4 16 to 28 lb (60 to 105 g/m2) SS: Face down, with the holes to the right DS: Face up, with the holes to the left Transparencies Letter A4 4 to 5 mils (0.10 to 0.
Paper Trays and Capacities The table below contains information about paper trays and capacities. For more information, see the online user guide. Tray Maximum Capacity 1 Paper, pre-punched media: 100 sheets of 20 lb (75 g/m2) bond. Limit to media-fill mark on the media width guides. Transparencies, labels: limit to media-fill mark on the media width guides. Envelopes: approximately 10. Limit to media-fill mark on the media width guides. 2 Paper, pre-punched media: 500 sheets of 20 lb (75 g/m2) bond.
To load media into tray 1 CAUTION To avoid media jams, never add or remove media from tray 1 while the printer is printing from tray 1. 1 Open tray 1. 2 Slide the media width guides to the size that matches the media. 3 Load up to 100 sheets of 20 lb (75 g/m2) bond paper into the input tray face up, with the long edge of the letter- or A4-sized media toward the printer. Do not fill the input tray above the media-fill mark on the media guides.
Slide the media into the printer as far as it will go (until the leading edge rests lightly against the printer) and adjust the media width guides until the media fits squarely and firmly between the media width guides without bending the media. Use the control panel to select the size and type of media in tray 1. (See “Configuring Media Type and Size” on page 32.
To load envelopes in tray 1 CAUTION Never use envelopes with clasps, snaps, windows, coated linings, or self-stick adhesives. These items can damage the printer. Never try to print on both sides of an envelope. Media jams and printer damage can result. 1 Open tray 1. 2 Place up to ten envelopes in tray 1 between the media width guides, face up, with the back flap against the input tray and the return address area (short edge of the envelope) towards the printer.
3 Slide the media width guides until they touch both sides of the envelopes without bending the envelopes. 4 Set the envelope size in the printer control panel. (See “Configuring Media Type and Size” on page 32.
Orienting Media in Tray 1 Place media into the input tray with the side to be printed on face up for single-sided printing. For letter- or A4-sized media, place the top of the page toward the rear of the printer and the long edge toward the printer. For media sizes larger than letter and A4, place the top (short) edge of the page toward the printer. Load letterhead and preprinted forms face up.
• Load letter and A4 paper with the front side down and the top, short edge toward the rear of the printer for double-sided printing. • Load other sizes of paper with the front side down and the top, short edge toward the printer for double-sided printing.
To load media into trays 2 and 3 1 Firmly grip the handle in the center of the input tray, squeeze the release lever, and pull the input tray out until it stops. NOTE To use the media size currently configured in the input tray, go to step 8. To use a media size different from the current setting, go to step 2 to reconfigure the input tray. 2 Turn the media guide lock to the unlocked position. 3 Slide the media width guides to the size that matches the media.
5 Adjust the left media guide by pushing it in (A) and lifting up and out (B). NOTE Lift here (C) to remove paper from the tray. 6 Position the left media guide over the correct media size marked on the input tray. 7 Press the left media guide into the rear slot (D), and then lower it down (E) into the front slot (F). Verify the guide is not skewed. 8 Load up to 500 sheets of 20 lb (75 g/m2) bond paper in the input tray.
9 Ensure that the media size tab on the front of the input tray is set to the correct media size. 10 Slide the input tray back into the printer. 11 Set the media type in the printer control panel. NOTE Always configure the media type in the printer control panel to prevent users from printing on the wrong media type (such as transparencies instead of plain paper). (See “Configuring Media Type and Size” on page 32.
To load media into tray 4 1 Firmly grip the handle in the center of the input tray, squeeze the release lever, and pull the input tray out until it stops. NOTE To use the media size currently configured in the input tray, go to step 5. To use a different size, go to step 2. 2 Adjust the front media guide by pulling up on the pin (A), placing the media guide into the slots on the top and bottom of the input tray that correspond to the media size you are loading (B), and pushing in the pin.
4 Repeat step 2 to adjust the left media guide. NOTE For 11-by-17 inch media, move the left media guide to the back of the input tray. 5 Load up to 2,000 sheets of 20 lb (75 g/m2) bond paper into the input tray. CAUTION Do not place anything in the input tray to the left of the media guides because the input tray will not be able to lift the media to print and could damage the input tray. 6 Press down on all four corners of the media stack to ensure the media rests flat in the input tray. 7 Close tray 4.
Set the media type in the printer control panel. See “Configuring Media Type and Size” on page 32. Note Always configure the media type in the printer control panel to prevent printing on the wrong media type (such as transparencies instead of plain paper). (See “Configuring Media Type and Size” on page 32.
Configuring Media Type and Size Configure the media type (such as plain paper, letterhead, or transparencies) for each of the input trays. If the media type and size have been correctly configured for the input trays, the printer will print based on the type and size of media and will automatically use the correct input tray. Configuring the media type is beneficial for several reasons: • Setting the media type prevents printing on the wrong, possibly expensive, media.
To configure the input trays Follow the steps below to configure the media type. 1 Press MENU until PAPER HANDLING MENU appears on the printer control panel display. 2 Press ITEM until TRAY [number] TYPE = appears on the display. 3 Press -VALUE+ until the correct media type appears on the display. 4 Press SELECT to save the selection. An asterisk (*) appears to the right of the selection. To configure the media size in tray 1, repeat steps 1-4 (“size” will replace references to “type”).
Media Jams Removing Jammed Media The procedures on the following pages explain how to clear the most commonly occurring jams. After all jammed media have been removed, the printer will warm up and resume printing. The printer control panel displays messages about where jams occur and which doors to open to clear jams. As a first step, try opening and then closing the front door of the printer. The printer will attempt to clear a jam from the paper path and send the page to an output bin.
Solving Repetitive Media Jams If the printer continues to jam, try the following: • Use only media that meets the media specifications detailed in “Loading Media” on page 17. • Make sure that the media is correctly loaded in the input trays and that all media width guides are correctly set. • Make sure the tray is not overloaded with media. • Do not use media that is torn, worn, or irregular. • Turn over the stack of media in the tray. • Print heavy media from tray 1.
To clear jams from the lower right door 1 Open the lower right door. 2 Remove any jammed media. 3 At the left side of the opening, pull the green tab down to lower the bar, remove any jammed media, and release the tab. 4 Close the lower right door.
To clear jams in tray 1 1 Remove media from tray 1. 2 Gently remove any jammed media. 3 Load media back into tray 1 and resume printing. Note If the media does not come out easily, see “To clear registration and transfer area jams” on page 44.
To clear jams in trays 2 and 3 1 Open tray 2 or tray 3. 2 Remove any jammed media. You might have to remove the tray, by lifting it slightly and pulling it out, and look into the opening to locate the jammed media. 3 Close the tray.
To clear jams in the optional tray 4 1 Open tray 4. 2 Remove any jammed media. 3 Open the media transfer door and remove any media. 4 Lift the green bar, remove any jammed media, and release the bar. 5 Close the media transfer door and tray 4.
To clear jams from the fuser area 1 Open the lower left door. 2 Gently remove any jammed media from the inside of the door or from between the rollers near the top of the opening. If an optional duplexer is installed, continue with step 3; otherwise, proceed to step 6. 3 Press the green tab on the right side of the duplexer and pull the duplexer out of the printer. 4 Remove any jammed media from the duplexer. 5 Lift the green guide, remove any media, and lower the green guide.
6 On the left side of the fuser, pull down on the green tab, carefully remove any media, and release the tab. Repeated jams in the fuser area indicate that the fuser might be installed improperly. Complete steps 7 through 9 if you experience repeated jams in the fuser area; otherwise, proceed to step 10. 7 Press down on the large green lever on the right side of the fuser to ensure that it is in its proper position. 8 On each side of the fuser, rotate the blue levers down slightly.
To clear transfer drum jams 1 Open the front door, press the white button on the lower (green) lever, and swing the lever to the right. 2 Open the upper right door. 3 Using the handles, gently pull out the transfer drum until it stops. 4 From the front of the printer, remove any jammed media. 5 Lift the transfer drum out of the printer and remove any media wrapped around the drum. 6 Align the arrows on ends of the transfer drum with the matching arrows on the tracks inside the printer.
9 In the front of the printer, swing the lower (green) lever back to the left, making sure it clicks into place. Note If the lever does not return to its original position, the transfer drum might not be all the way in the printer. 10 Close the front door.
To clear registration and transfer area jams 1 Open the front door, press the white button on the lower (green) lever, and swing the lever to the right. 2 Open the upper right door. 3 Using the handles, gently pull out the transfer drum until it stops. 4 Remove jammed media from inside the opening. If the entire page can be removed easily, without forcing it out, continue to step 7. If only one edge of the media can be removed easily, do not force the other edge out.
8 Close the upper right door. Note If the upper right door does not close, the transfer drum might not be all the way in the printer. 9 In the front of the printer, swing the lower (green) lever back to the left, making sure it clicks into place. Note If the lever does not return to its original position, the transfer drum might not be all the way in the printer. 10 Close the front door.
To clear jams from the optional duplexer 1 Open the lower left door. 2 Remove any jammed media from the duplexer. 3 Press the green tab on the right side of the duplexer, and pull the duplexer out. 4 Lift the green guide, remove any media, and lower the green guide. 5 Slide the duplexer back into the printer until it clicks into place. 6 Close the lower left door.
To clear top output bin and upper left door jams 1 Slowly remove any jammed media from the top output bin. 2 Open the upper left door. 3 Gently remove any jammed media. 4 Close the upper left door.
To clear jams from a finishing device (the optional multi-bin mailbox, 3000-sheet stapler, 3000-sheet stapler/stacker) 1 Pull the finishing device away from the printer. 2 Remove any jammed media from between the finishing device and printer. 3 Push the finishing device back toward the printer.
Replacing Consumables Consumables are items that are expended during normal use of the printer. These include the toner cartridges and the fuser, transfer, and drum assemblies. To replace consumable items, see the installation instructions included with each kit.
For More Information See the online user guide for information about printer operation, service, and support.
Quick Reference Guide 8550, 8550N, 8550DN, 8550GN, 8550MFP Printer English Printed on at least 50% Total Recycled Fiber with at least 10% Post-Consumer Paper Copyright© 2000 Hewlett-Packard Co. Printed in USA 04/00 Manual Part No.
