HP LaserJet 5100 fails to draw paper from extra tray

[joedoufu]

We have an HP LaserJet 5100 with an optional 250-sheet feeder ("tray 3") which we fill with 11x17 paper. Lately it has lost the ability to draw paper up from this tray (which sits under the printer). I'd like to know what kind of maintenance I can do to restore this function without having to hire a service technician..

When printing from tray 3, the printer makes horrible noises and announces a paper jam, but we can see that the top sheet of paper in the tray has moved only millimeters if at all. The problem seems to be the "rollers" that draw the paper upward, as we have changed the paper, changed to a different paper size, and even swapped another tray of the same size into this drawer, without any change. They are made of rubber and show some "gunk" like you find inside a ball mouse. I've dusted this away but that didn't fix the problem.

 

[MrPresident]

Over a period of time you get a build up of paper fibres on the rollers. You have to remove all of this "gunk" as what is happening is that the rollers are skimming over the paper.

Use a cleaner like Methylated spirit but not anything that is oil based as that would only compound your problem. The rollers should feel rough after you have finished. Be patient, it takes time.