HP Printer E2 Error Code: Paper Size Mismatch

Quick Answer

HP E2 is an error on HP printers. E2 on HP printers indicates the paper in the tray does not match the paper size selected in the print job. The printer detected paper but it is the wrong size for the current job.

What I usually see when I show up for one of these is someone trying to print photos or envelopes while the computer's still set to Letter size. That mismatch triggers E2 immediately to keep ink from spraying onto the rollers. It's almost never a broken part. Don't ignore it though, because your printer won't budge until you fix the mismatch. Tightening those plastic tray guides is always my first move.

HpPrinterSeverity: low75% DIY Success

Time to Fix

5–30 min

Difficulty

beginner

Parts Cost

—

Tools Needed

Flashlight (for seeing into the paper path and tray sensor area), Lint-free cloth (for wiping guide rails and sensor tabs)

What Does the E2 Code Mean?

Think of E2 as your printer's self-preservation instinct. If the machine thinks it's printing on a full letter sheet but the sensor detects something smaller, it stops cold to avoid trashing the printhead. On DeskJet and ENVY models, this happens a lot when the paper guides have slipped or someone crammed a different-sized sheet in without adjusting. It's a logic error, not a mechanical failure, and that's actually great news for your wallet.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Paper guides not adjusted to paper size40%

Wrong paper size selected in print settings24%

Paper loaded in wrong orientation14%

Paper tray sensor misaligned12%

Multiple paper sizes in tray10%

Symptoms You May Notice

The display shows E2 or just the numeral 2 with a blinking amber light, and the printer refuses to respond to any new print commands no matter what you try.
You hit print, the printer wakes up and makes its normal startup noise, then just stops and sits there doing absolutely nothing, no paper movement, nothing.
All the front-panel lights start blinking at the same time and the machine won't pull paper even though you can clearly see a full stack sitting right there in the tray.
The job shows as printing on your computer but nothing happens, and eventually it errors out or just hangs frozen in the print queue.
Printer starts to feed paper and then stops halfway, or refuses to grab it at all even after multiple retries.

Can you reset a Hp printer to clear the E2 code?

With the printer powered on, unplug the power cord from the back of the unit first. Then unplug it from the wall outlet. Wait a full 60 seconds so the capacitors drain completely. Plug back into the wall first, then reconnect to the printer. The machine should restart on its own and re-read the tray sensors fresh. If E2 comes back immediately on the first print attempt, the issue is in your software settings, not the hardware.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Flashlight (for seeing into the paper path and tray sensor area)Lint-free cloth (for wiping guide rails and sensor tabs)Compressed air can (for blowing dust off the tray sensors)Computer or smartphone with HP Smart app installed

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HP E2 a serious error?

In 15 years of fixing printers, I've never seen an E2 be a death sentence for the machine. It's almost always a mismatch between what the printer expects to find and what's actually in the tray. Where it gets serious is if a tray sensor physically snapped off, but that's rare and usually only happens from an aggressive paper jam clear. Don't panic. You probably won't need a new printer today, and this is almost always a free fix.

Should I repair or replace my HP printer when I'm seeing E2?

If you've got a basic DeskJet or ENVY, a professional repair shop visit honestly isn't worth it because the labor costs more than a new unit. But here's the thing: E2 is almost always a DIY fix that costs you nothing. For higher-end OfficeJet Pro or LaserJet models that are only a couple years old, it's worth spending 20 minutes on the tray sensors and software settings before you write the machine off. These things are built to last.

What if the hard reset and paper guides don't fix the E2?

Download HP Print and Scan Doctor on a Windows PC. It's free, it's straight from HP, and it runs a diagnostic that can flip internal software switches that a manual reset missed. On Mac, the HP Smart app has a built-in printer health check worth running. If both of those come up clean and you're still getting E2, you might have a physically damaged tray sensor, and at that point it's time to call HP support directly at 1-800-474-6836 or chat through their site.

How do I keep E2 from coming back every time I print?

Pretty easily, actually. Get in the habit of glancing at your paper size setting before every print job, especially if you switch between photo paper and regular paper a lot. Keep the tray guides snug against the stack, don't just leave them loose with room to slide around. And if you're using the HP Smart app, make sure its paper size matches what's in the tray before you send the job. Takes five seconds and saves a ton of frustration down the road.

Does E2 show up on all HP printers or just certain models?

E2 shows up mainly on DeskJet, ENVY, and OfficeJet inkjet models. LaserJet machines use a completely different error code system, so you'll see something like a 13.xx or an 02 format instead. If you've got an older HP inkjet with a small numeric or LED display, E2 is pretty universal across that lineup from roughly 2018 onward. The root cause and the fix are the same across all of them though: paper guides and software settings, every single time.

Related Hp Printer Error Codes

Code: HUBHP Printer Error Codes: Complete Guide

Models Known to Experience E2 Errors

This repair applies to most Hp printers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

DeskJet 2700e, DeskJet 4100e, OfficeJet Pro 9015e, OfficeJet Pro 8025e, ENVY 6055e, LaserJet Pro M404n

Written by

Sarah Kim

Smart Home & Specialty Appliance Tech · 12 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 15, 2026