HP error 59.xx (motor error)
59.xx errors are motor faults in the print engine. 59.0 is a general motor error, 59.1 a start-up failure, 59.2 a rotation error on the main motor, 59.3 and 59.4 relate to the fuser motor, 59.5 and 59.6 to the drum motor, and codes such as 59.A0, 59.C0 and 59.F0 identify specific colour-drum or developer motors on colour models. A motor that does not turn, turns too slowly or draws too much current stops the printer.
What causes it
- Toner cartridge or imaging drum not seated, putting the drive gears out of mesh
- Fuser jammed or its gears stripped, overloading the fuser motor
- Paper or debris locking the drive train
- Worn motor or failed motor driver on the DC controller
- Wrong or damaged transfer belt or drum unit on colour models
How to fix it, in order
Work down the list and stop when the printer recovers. The steps are ordered from most likely and least invasive to last resort.
Power off and remove the cartridges
Turn the printer off, open the doors and take out the toner cartridges and any imaging drums. Check each for damaged drive gears and turn the drive gear on the cartridge by hand to make sure it is free.
Check the fuser for 59.3 or 59.4 errors
Pull the fuser out and turn its gear by hand. It should rotate smoothly. A seized fuser or stripped gear will stop the fuser motor and must be replaced.
Look for jams and debris
Inspect the paper path, the transfer roller and under the cartridge cavity for anything that could lock the rollers. Remove it and refit everything firmly.
Reseat consumables and restart
Push each cartridge or drum in until it clicks, close all doors and power on. A cartridge sitting slightly out of position will throw a 59.0 error on many models.
Reseat the motor connectors
Unplug the printer, remove the side cover and reseat the connector on the motor identified by the code. Check the cable for damage.
Replace the motor
If the drive train is free and the connector is good, the motor or its driver has failed. Main motors and fuser motors are available for most enterprise LaserJets and are a moderate repair.
Stopping it happening again
When it is not worth fixing yourself
If you would rather not work through this alone, a printer specialist can take a look with you on a screen-share and tell you honestly whether the machine is worth saving.
Frequently asked questions
What is the quickest check for a 59.0 error?
Remove and reseat the toner cartridge. On the LaserJet 4250 and P4015 families a cartridge that is not fully home is the most common cause.
What does 59.F0 mean on a colour LaserJet?
On models such as the M553 and M651 it indicates a transfer belt or ITB motor problem. Reseat the belt unit and check its drive coupling before assuming the motor is dead.
Why did 59.3 appear right after I installed a new fuser?
The fuser is probably not fully latched or the wrong fuser for the model. Remove it, check the part number, and reinstall until both levers lock.
Questions & comments (0)
No comments yet. Describe your printer model, operating system and the exact message you see; comments appear after review.
Ask about this page
Your comment appears after our team approves it. Or sign in to post faster.