Upgrading the Performance on the HP
P4014, P4015 and P4515 Laser Printers and
Solving Some Common problems
Author: Reference Number: AA-05001 Views: 2811 Created: 2012-01-20 0 Rating/
03:04 pm Last Updated: 2012-01-20 03:05 pm Voters
These three models are very similar and share most of the same parts. The covers are different
in color but the same otherwise. Each model uses the same formatter. The P4014 printer does not
support the use of the extended life toner cartridge as it will not fit into the P4014 . The
P4015/P4515 models have a numerical keypad. The main difference is the print speeds of each
model. The P4014, is rated at 45 letter pages per minute. The P4015 at 52 pages per minute and
the P4515 tops out at 62 pages per minute.
These models were not without some problems that might have showed up immediately or
after the printers were used for awhile. The first one might have been when trying to print
envelopes. The toner would not always fuse correctly either smearing or just flaking off the
envelopes. There were only two fuser modes to use. Another problem that would show up was
when printing from trays 2,3 or 4. The printer would say processing and will start to ramp up like
it would during a normal print job. But the printer would not pick up the paper and complete the
job. The display would go back to idle and no error would be generated on the display or on the
event log. Verify by printing from Tray 1. Another issue was when the maintenance due message
came up and when you tried to reset it the ability to do so was not there. These issues were all
firmware related. Upgrading to the level of 4.060.7 or higher would help to correct these
problems. There would now be five fuser modes to choose from. No more problems printing from
tray 2 as well.
Metrofuser has a one stop solution for this as well as a performance upgrade. The formatters
we sell as replacements have the latest firmware already loaded and will upgrade your 4014 or
4015 to a 4515 printer capable of printing at 62 pages per minute!!! It’s just a plug and play
upgrade to fix some issues and increase your print speeds at the same time. Remove the formatter
cage, move any memory modules over to the new formatter and install and you will now have a
62 page per minute printer. The P4014 printer is now capable of also using the extended life
cartridges without getting errors. There are some modifications that will have to be made to do
so. The top cover can be replaced with RM1-4552 (P4015/P4515) or the upper cartridge guide
can be removed from the existing cover. This is the plastic piece located directly above the
cartridge on the toner access panel. The cover should be removed to perform this procedure.
There are some tabs on the extended cartridge that have to be removed or cut off to allow the
extended life cartridge to slide completely into the printer. This is only needed if you intend to
use the extended life cartridges, which of course is not required.
There are some mechanical problems in these models that we have solutions for as well. The
fuser drive gears located in the center of the printer on the inside frame are now available as a kit.
The replacement procedure is very similar to the 4200 series fuser swing plate. These models do
not have the swing or pivoting gear but a solid drive train of 5 gears which drive the fuser. These
gears are available as KITGEARP4O14/P4015 from Metrofuser. A piece of plastic in the drum
drive area is breaking as well. The collar that meshes with the frame in the cartridge area and is
attached to the toner access cover link arm is breaking and is now available as a replacement
assembly which includes the big gear, collar and link arm. This drum drive assembly is RC2-
2484-000.
Related Articles
Trouble Shooting Color Laserjet Printers Image Defects
Most image defects on color Laserjet printers are caused by toner cartridges. Most color
Laserjets have built in diagnostics which help to isolate the issue. If the printer has a diagnostics
menu go to it and choose the item PQ Troubleshooting which will print a number of pages the
first with instructions, followed by pages of solid fill color and then a configuration page. Most
times you can tell from the solid fill pages what is causing the problem, like one of the colors
going from strong to a fade with jagged edges. If one color fades at one end it is possible the
toner cartridge is bad, but could also point to a dirty laser/scanner lens. To determine you go to
the same diagnostics menu and choose the item Disable Cartridge Check and when the printers
enters diagnostics mode you open the front cover and switch the toner with the problem with one
of the other toners. You then run the same PQ Troubleshooting pages and see if the defect stays
with the same color (bad toner cartridge) or moves to the other toner color (dusted laser/scanner
optics). If the defect is random and includes drop outs of toner the issue could be the transfer belt
(ETB, etc). Open the front door and look at the belt to see if you see any defect like a tear or
areas that are malformed. Excess toner can be cleaned off the belt using a lint free cloth or toner
rag. Half test is a bit more difficult with these printers but can be done. Again use the manual
feed tray and again wait until the back edge enters the printer and then open the front door to
stop the printing. The sheet will be laying on the etb and if the defect is present, then again toner
cartridge or optics. If defect not present then the fuser may have issues. Most common is a
buildup of caked on toner on the bottom of the fuser which causes a purple like smearing on the
paper. If that is the issue the fuser needs to be replaced and the entry point above the black toner
needs to be cleaned up. Certain models have known issues and refer to those models for more
detailed information. Example is the issue of magenta toner leaking on the front and back of
pages with the Color Laserjet 4600 series.
