My 24" Z3100 won't recognize roll paper I'm trying to load. The little spring-loaded paper sensor is there, and with some fiddling the printer will pull the paper in. The print head does its dance and I can see the red sensor light; but the printer can't "see" the paper. It tells me to load the roll, advances the paper a few inches...and repeats the whole thing. Yesterday I was getting a few "out of paper" notices halfway through A3 sheets I was printing.
I presume the sensor that detects reflected light from the paper is dirty. But how the heck to I get at it to clean it? I can't find any simple instructions on line.
Help would be welcome.
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There are two distinct media sensors. The first and most problematic is a mechanical switch in the paper path similar to a rocker switch. Look for it with a flashlight to see it is indeed going to have to be depressed upon paper load. If you don't see it, it is depressed and blocked in an already loaded paper position. If it is in a ready to receive media position, and does move freely, then the electrical part is broken or disconnected. Look under the printer for a black and red 2 pole wire Molex connection. Sometimes it helps to unplug/replug this connection.
If it is the media alignment and size optical sensor, it will load the paper but reject it's alignment, disallow printing. You can clean it with compressed air. If it has become ajar, or out of alignment mechanically, you'd be best to have an HP technician come repair it.
