HP3100 Sheet Feeder Problems

If you are sure that your paper is within specifications and that you have loaded it properly, it sounds like your pickup roller and separation pad probably need to be cleaned or replaced. I usually lean towards replacement, but that is a personal preference.
BTW, HP does not recommend fanning the paper. They recommend that you break the ream of paper by curving it into an upside-down "U" shape.

fanning the paper is a recommendation that I have received from numerous techs.  You do whatever works best for you, regardless of what others believe is better.

Originally, fanning is what HP would recommend. I believe that they changed their mind about this around the time that the HP4000 came out. Maybe some of the other experts may have more information about this.
The botton line is that slink9 is correct, you need to separate the paper in some manner or you will get multifeeds. I have never seen a printer grab an entire stack and pull it through unless there is a feed roller/separation pad issue that needs to be addressed. I believe that the parts can be purchased for under $40, but these units are somewhat time consuming to work on, and I would recommend that you take it to a professional to have the work done. Try to find a shop that will give you a flat rate for the labor, or one that will give you a lower hourly rate (maybe $65/hour). You shouldn't need to pay much more than that when you take the printer to their shop. On-site service can cost you $100/hour and up for labor alone.

Yes they are quite hard to work on.  And it is quite aggravating to take a "do it yourself" attitude and then have to call in the pros to fix whatever has been messed up.  That costs quite a bit more.
Is this a single-sheet alternate feed?  I know the LJII machines would only take a single sheet in the bypass.  If that is the case, it is a good explanation for it.  I don't believe that applies but I threw it out there anyway.

Just as Gtrist stated,

You need to replace the following parts:

RY7-5077 Seperation Pad Kit

and

RG5-1951 Pickup roller Assembly.

This is a common problem with the 5L, 6L and 3100 Laser printers.

The 3100 internally is no different than the 5L and 6L once you take it apart. If you are not handy with printer disassembly then I would suggest taking the unit in for service.

Joe

Hi,

First of all, fanning is NO option with laser printer, something about building electrostatic charge, breaking the ream as Gtrist suggested is recommended. (Info from TSE=product specialist)
With the 5L/6L/3100 which all all basically the same engine, there is a solution you can find at following URL, they will even send you a do it yourself repair kit for FREE:
http://www.hp.com/cposupport/printers/support_doc/bpl10045.html


Greetz,

Pete

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Thank you,
":0) Asta

I believe it was nailed with the paper storage issue.

Buying HP Paper did the trick (even after I spent $35 on the DIY video and another $100 on replacing the internal
roller assembly component.  Thanks for the assistance.

krash

Thanks for returning and finalizing this, krash.
":0) Asta