When your HP Smart Tank 670 not feeding paper, it can stop your entire workflow—whether you're printing school assignments, business documents, or photos. This issue typically stems from misaligned paper trays, worn pickup rollers, debris in the paper path, or incorrect paper settings. The good news: most paper feed problems on the Smart Tank 670 are fixable without professional printer repair. This guide walks you through proven troubleshooting steps to get your printer pulling paper correctly again.
Common Causes of Paper Feed Failure
The Smart Tank 670 uses a rear-loading paper tray with a gravity-fed pickup mechanism. Paper feed failures usually occur due to overloaded trays, humidity-warped paper, dirty rollers, or small obstructions in the feed path. Before calling tech support, work through these diagnostic and repair steps in order.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
1
Check Paper Loading and Tray Alignment: Remove all paper from the rear input tray. Verify the paper width guides are slid snugly against the paper stack without bending the edges—gaps cause skewed feeding, while overtightening prevents pickup. Load 20-25 sheets of standard A4 or Letter-size paper, ensuring the stack sits below the maximum fill line (marked on the tray). The Smart Tank 670 works best with 75-90 gsm plain paper; heavier stock or photo paper requires manual feed through the priority slot.
2
Inspect and Fan the Paper Stack: Humidity causes pages to stick together, especially in the Smart Tank 670's rear tray where paper rests at an angle. Take the paper stack and fan it thoroughly—bend the stack back and forth to separate individual sheets. If paper feels damp or curled, replace it with fresh paper from a sealed package. Store paper in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. This simple fix printer step resolves roughly 30% of feed issues.
3
Clean the Pickup and Feed Rollers: Over time, paper dust and oils coat the rubber rollers, reducing grip. Power off and unplug the printer. Open the rear access door (located behind the paper tray) and the front cartridge access door for visibility. Locate the gray/black pickup roller assembly near the base of the rear tray. Dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water or isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher) and gently rotate the rollers while wiping. For thorough cleaning, use a cotton swab to reach the small separator pad beneath the pickup roller. Allow 10 minutes to dry before testing.
4
Clear Paper Path Obstructions: Small torn pieces or foreign objects frequently jam the Smart Tank 670's curved paper path. With the printer unplugged, use a flashlight to inspect the entire path from rear tray to output area. Remove the front panel and check around the printhead carriage for lodged debris. Gently rotate the manual feed gears (visible through the rear access door) to expose hidden fragments. If you encounter a solid jam, grasp paper firmly with both hands and pull slowly in the direction of normal paper travel—never force backward.
5
Reset Printer and Verify Paper Settings: Perform a hard reset to clear temporary firmware glitches affecting the feed mechanism. With the printer on, disconnect the power cord from the rear, then unplug from the wall outlet. Wait 60 seconds, reconnect power directly to the wall (avoid surge protectors for testing), and power on. On your computer, open HP Smart or the printer driver, navigate to Paper/Quality settings, and confirm the paper type matches your loaded media—mismatched settings can cause the printer to pause or reject feeds on the Smart Tank 670.
6
Test with Single-Sheet Manual Feed: If automatic feeding still fails, isolate mechanical from electronic issues. Insert a single sheet into the manual feed slot (front priority tray, if equipped, or gently into the rear tray while holding). Send a print job and manually assist the leading edge until rollers engage. If the printer pulls successfully with help but not alone, the pickup roller likely needs replacement (HP part L2747-60002 for this series). If it never engages at all, the feed motor or sensor may require professional printer support evaluation.
⚠️ Important: Never use sharp metal tools, compressed air cans, or vacuum cleaners inside your Smart Tank 670. Metal can damage delicate sensors, compressed air drives debris deeper into the mechanism, and vacuums generate static that can fry electronic components. Stick to manual cleaning with approved materials only.
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Why does my HP Smart Tank 670 pull multiple sheets at once?
This "double-feeding" indicates worn separator pads or humidity-swollen paper. Clean the separator pad with alcohol, fan the paper thoroughly, and ensure you're not overloading the tray beyond 50 sheets. If the problem persists, the separator pad (HP part W1B38A) likely needs replacement.
Can I use third-party paper with the Smart Tank 670?
Yes, but quality varies significantly. The Smart Tank 670's pickup mechanism is optimized for HP-branded or premium third-party paper with consistent weight and finish. Cheap, ultra-bright paper often has uneven cuts that catch on feed guides. For best results, use paper certified for inkjet printers within 75-90 gsm weight range.
How often should I clean the pickup rollers?
For moderate use (100-200 pages monthly), clean rollers every 3-4 months. Heavy users or those in dusty environments should clean monthly. If you notice paper starting to slip or squeak during feeds, that's your cue—don't wait for complete failure. Preventive maintenance extends roller life from roughly 50,000 pages to 100,000+ pages.