Lexmark Optra paper feed problem--help requested

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bt

I have a Lexmark Optra E312 that I'm using with a mac.

For months now, it has often (I'd say 50% of the time at least) pulled
more than than a single sheet of paper when printing--it typically grabs
two to four sheets at a time, sometimes many more. Paper jams are
reprinted pages are frequent, and more paper is wasted than printed. I
have tried several weights and textures of paper--it seems to make no
difference what paper is used. I have recently replaced the toner
cartridge--also, no difference. Lexmark is completely unhelpful, just
telling me to fan the paper and otherwise follow instructions.

The only way that I can get the paper to feed properly is by manually
holding the paper--lifting one sheet at a time while applying slight
pressure to the rest of the paper stack. Needless to say, this is an
awkward and inefficient procedure.

Any suggestions for a better workaround, or for a way to repair it at
modest cost?
 
bt said:
I have a Lexmark Optra E312 that I'm using with a mac.

For months now, it has often (I'd say 50% of the time at least) pulled
more than than a single sheet of paper when printing--it typically
grabs two to four sheets at a time, sometimes many more. Paper jams
are reprinted pages are frequent, and more paper is wasted than
printed. I have tried several weights and textures of paper--it
seems to make no difference what paper is used. I have recently
replaced the toner cartridge--also, no difference. Lexmark is
completely unhelpful, just telling me to fan the paper and otherwise
follow instructions.

The only way that I can get the paper to feed properly is by manually
holding the paper--lifting one sheet at a time while applying slight
pressure to the rest of the paper stack. Needless to say, this is an
awkward and inefficient procedure.

Any suggestions for a better workaround, or for a way to repair it at
modest cost?
Click to expand...

Yes. Buy a printer that isn't a Lexmark.
 
I've got the same printer and have the same problems (since day one). We
aren't alone, others have also posted here about the same problem. Other
than what you are doing there are only two other alternatives I've found.
The first is to set the paper guides to be very snug against the edges of
the paper. I haven't tried yet, but I'm considering gluing a strip of rubber
along the edge of the paper guides to act as a sheet retarder. The second
and much more effective method is to use my Canon iP4000.
 
There is a separation pad, where the pickup roller(where
you will see when you look inside the printer after pulling
out the cartridge) lied on top of it is worn out. You need
to replace that part in order to make the printer stop pulling
multiple pages. It is possible you need to take the printer
to a lexmark printer repair shop to do it. It is because the
process is very involving.

This problem does not limit to Lexmark. HP 1100, HP5L,
HP6L, Brother faxes and Fujitsu scanners which use the
same paper feeding technologies all suffer from this problem.
 
If that's the case then the part was already worn out when I removed the
brand new printer from the carton. This feeding problem has existed since I
got the printer in late 2000. Lexmark was going to do an exchange under
warranty, but I declined the offer since I didn't want to swap out a brand
new printer for a used one which may have had a lot of usage. I'd been that
route before with my Optra S1650. They had to send me several before I got
one that was at least acceptable. The first one looked like it had been in
junk yard, the second one was DOA and the third one seemed ok although it
did have a high page count. I think the root of the feeding problem is
faulty design. If I ever get the time I'm going to try and come up with a
modification that may help. Fortunately, this printer is lightly used. I do
most of my printing using Canon inkjets.
 
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