HP OfficeJet Pro 9015 Error E4 – 12 Ways to Fix Paper Jam
Quick Fix
HP OfficeJet Pro 9015 error E4 means a paper jam. To fix it: Turn off the printer, open all doors and trays, remove any jammed paper (pull gently to avoid tearing), check the rear access door, close everything, and turn the printer back on. If no paper is visible, the sensors may need cleaning.
What Is HP OfficeJet Pro 9015 Error E4?
Error E4 on the HP OfficeJet Pro 9015 (and 9010 series) indicates a paper jam or paper feed problem. The printer detects an obstruction in the paper path, even when no visible jam exists. This error can also appear as “Paper Jam” or “Clear Paper Jam” on the display.
Common causes include torn paper pieces stuck inside, dirty paper feed rollers, incorrect paper size settings, or faulty paper sensors. Let’s go through all the solutions.
Method 1: Clear Visible Paper Jams
First, check all areas where paper could be stuck.
Check the Input Tray:
- Turn off the printer
- Pull out the input tray completely
- Remove all paper from the tray
- Look inside the tray slot for any stuck paper
- Use a flashlight to check deep inside
- Remove any jammed paper by pulling gently
Check the Output Tray:
- Lift the output tray extender
- Look underneath for stuck paper
- Check the output slot where paper exits
Check the Rear Access Door:
- Turn the printer around
- Press the tabs to open the rear access door
- Look for any paper stuck in the rollers
- Gently pull out any jammed paper
- Close the door securely
Method 2: Check the Ink Cartridge Area
Paper can get stuck near the ink cartridges.
- Turn off the printer
- Open the ink cartridge access door (front panel)
- Wait for the carriage to move to the center
- Look for any paper pieces in this area
- If the carriage doesn’t move, gently slide it to check underneath
- Remove any paper fragments
- Close the access door
- Turn on the printer
Method 3: Clean the Paper Feed Rollers
Dirty rollers can cause paper feed errors that trigger E4.
What you need:
- Lint-free cloth
- Distilled water (not tap water)
Cleaning steps:
- Turn off and unplug the printer
- Remove paper from the input tray
- Dampen the cloth with distilled water (not soaking wet)
- Reach into the input tray area
- Locate the gray rubber feed rollers
- Gently wipe the rollers while rotating them
- Let the rollers dry for 10-15 minutes
- Reload paper and test
Method 4: Reset the Printer
A power reset can clear false paper jam errors.
- Turn on the printer
- Wait until it’s idle
- Disconnect the power cord from the back of the printer
- Unplug from the wall outlet
- Wait 60 seconds
- Plug back into the wall first
- Reconnect the power cord to the printer
- Turn on the printer
- Let it fully initialize
Method 5: Check for Small Paper Pieces
Tiny paper fragments can trigger the E4 error.
- Use a flashlight to inspect all paper paths
- Check these areas carefully:
- Input tray slot (deep inside)
- Under the ink cartridge carriage
- Rear access door rollers
- Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) if used
- Use tweezers to remove small paper pieces
- Never use sharp objects that could damage rollers
Method 6: Check the Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)
If you were scanning or copying, the jam may be in the ADF.
- Open the ADF cover on top of the printer
- Remove any paper from the ADF tray
- Look for jammed paper inside the ADF
- Pull out any stuck paper gently
- Clean the ADF rollers with a lint-free cloth
- Close the ADF cover
- Test by running a copy
Method 7: Check Paper Size and Type
Incorrect paper settings can cause feed errors.
- Remove all paper from the input tray
- Fan the paper to separate sheets
- Load paper with the print side down
- Adjust the paper width guides to fit snugly (not too tight)
- Don’t overfill the tray past the line
- On the printer display, go to Setup > Paper Settings
- Make sure paper size matches what’s loaded
Paper tips:
- Use fresh paper (old paper absorbs moisture)
- Don’t mix paper types or sizes
- Use paper that’s 20-24 lb (75-90 gsm)
- Avoid wrinkled or curled paper
Method 8: Update Printer Firmware
Firmware updates can fix sensor and error detection bugs.
- Make sure printer is connected to WiFi
- On the printer display, tap Setup (gear icon)
- Go to Printer Maintenance
- Select Update the Printer
- Choose Check for Updates
- If available, select Install
- Wait for the update to complete
Via HP Smart app:
- Open the HP Smart app on your phone or computer
- Select your printer
- Go to Advanced Settings
- Check for firmware updates
Method 9: Clean the Paper Jam Sensors
Dusty sensors can falsely detect paper jams.
- Turn off and unplug the printer
- Open all access doors
- Use compressed air to blow dust from the paper path
- Pay attention to small sensor areas (usually small plastic pieces)
- Wipe accessible sensors with a dry cloth
- Let dust settle for a few minutes
- Close all doors and test
Method 10: Perform Printer Self-Test
Run diagnostics to identify the specific issue.
- On the printer display, tap Setup
- Go to Printer Maintenance
- Select Clean Page Smears or Print Quality Report
- This runs paper through the system and can clear minor jams
- If the test page prints, the jam is cleared
Method 11: Check for Carriage Obstructions
The ink carriage must move freely or errors occur.
- Open the ink cartridge access door
- With printer OFF, gently slide the carriage left and right
- It should move smoothly across the entire width
- Remove any obstructions (paper, debris, packing material)
- Check that ink cartridges are properly seated
- Close the door and test
Method 12: Contact HP Support
If error E4 persists after all steps, you may need repair.
Before contacting support:
- Note your printer serial number (on back label)
- Have your purchase date ready
- Document what you’ve already tried
Support options:
- HP Support website: support.hp.com
- HP Virtual Agent chat
- Call HP Support: 1-800-474-6836 (USA)
- HP OfficeJet Pro 9015 has 1-year warranty
Preventing Error E4 in the Future
- Use quality paper (HP recommends HP brand paper)
- Fan paper before loading
- Don’t overfill the paper tray
- Keep the printer clean and dust-free
- Clean rollers every few months
- Update firmware when available
- Store paper in a dry place
FAQ
Why does my HP 9015 say paper jam when there is none?
This is called a “ghost jam” or false paper jam. It’s usually caused by small paper fragments stuck inside, dirty paper sensors, dirty feed rollers, or a software glitch. Clean all rollers, use compressed air to clean sensor areas, and perform a power reset.
How do I clear error E4 on HP OfficeJet Pro?
Turn off the printer, check all paper paths (input tray, output area, rear door, ADF, and cartridge area), remove any jammed paper, clean the feed rollers, and perform a power reset by unplugging for 60 seconds. This clears most E4 errors.
Where is the rear access door on HP OfficeJet Pro 9015?
The rear access door is on the back of the printer. Press the tabs on both sides to release and open it. This gives access to the rear paper path and rollers where paper often gets stuck.
Can I use any paper in HP OfficeJet Pro 9015?
While it works with most standard paper, using poor quality, damp, wrinkled, or too thick/thin paper causes jams. Use 20-24 lb (75-90 gsm) paper. HP brand paper works best. Avoid bargain paper that creates more dust.
How do I reset my HP OfficeJet Pro 9015?
For a soft reset: Turn off, unplug the power cord for 60 seconds, plug back in, turn on. For a factory reset: Go to Setup > Printer Maintenance > Restore > Restore Factory Defaults. Note: Factory reset erases all settings.
Is error E4 covered under warranty?
If error E4 is caused by a hardware defect (faulty sensor, defective rollers), it’s covered under HP’s 1-year warranty. If it’s caused by user error (using wrong paper, not clearing jams properly), it may not be covered. Contact HP Support for evaluation.