Why Your HP Printer Is Squeaking When Printing (and How to Make It Stop)

Did you know that neglecting printer upkeep can contribute to maintenance costs ranging from US $100 to $ 1,500 (AUD $150 to $ 2,300) annually for many offices?

That small squeak you’re hearing might not seem like a big deal. However, it’s often your HP printer’s way of warning you that something’s wearing out or drying up. It doesn’t necessarily mean your printer is dying, so don’t fret. The majority of squeaking problems can actually be resolved with a little know-how and proper maintenance.

Let’s take a look at the reasons your HP printer makes that squeaking noise when printing—and how to get it running quietly again.

Why Is Your Printer Making That Squeaking Noise?

Although they may appear simple on the outside, printers are actually complex machines with many moving parts, including belts, motors, gears, and rollers. When one of them dries up or wears out, it starts to complain, usually with a squeak. Even a bit of paper dust or leftover toner can make the whole machine sound like it’s struggling.

So, which components are most likely to be causing that noise? These are some of the most common culprits behind a squeaky printer:

1. Dry or Worn-Out Rollers

These rubber rollers do the grunt work. They grab the paper, pull it through, and hand it off to the next stage. When they’re new, the rubber grips perfectly. But after months (or years) of printing, the surface hardens and cracks. That’s when you start getting paper jams or hearing squeaks (usually during the paper pickup). 

To quickly test this out, open your paper tray and take a look. Do the rollers look shiny instead of matte? Can you spot any small cracks? That usually means they’re the ones making the noise.

How to fix it:

• After unplugging the printer, take out the tray.
• Use a lint-free cloth moistened with isopropyl alcohol or a small amount of warm water.
• Wipe the rollers while turning them gently using your fingers.

That should quiet them for a while. If the noise comes back a few days later, you might need new rollers. 

2. Gears That Need Lubrication

Now, if the squeak sounds more like a rhythmic chirp every time a page goes through, it’s probably the gears. Those white plastic cogs inside your printer rely on a thin layer of grease. When that dries up, they start rubbing against each other and—you guessed it—squeaking.

Signs it’s the gears:

• The sound happens at the same spot on every page.
• You may also notice a bit of drag or delay when printing starts.

What to do:
If you’re comfortable opening the back panel, you can apply a tiny bit of plastic-safe grease (like white lithium or silicone-based grease). Don’t use WD-40—it’s too harsh for plastic.

Don’t fret if that sounds intimidating. Printer technicians often perform this maintenance task. They can handle it on-site and have your printer humming quietly again in no time.

3. Paper Feed Friction

The paper feed system builds up dust, especially if you use recycled paper or keep your printer in a dusty corner (which, let’s be honest, many of us do). That dust increases friction on the feed rollers and separation pads. The result? A squeak or squeal every time paper feeds through.

Fix:

• Pop open the back door or duplexer.
• Use a can of compressed air to clear out debris.
• Wipe the rollers clean.

Do this once every couple of months. It takes five minutes and can save you from getting annoyed by that sound again.

4. The Fuser Assembly

If the squeak happens only after the printer’s been running for a few pages, it could be the fuser.

The fuser’s job is to heat the toner onto the paper. It has two main rollers that get hot—very hot—during operation. Over time, those rollers can lose their surface coating or lubricant. That’s when you hear squeaks as the rollers rotate under pressure.

You might also notice faint toner smudges or ghosting on your prints. That’s a dead giveaway.

Fuser fixes are best left to professionals. The fuser involves high heat and electrical components, so don’t open it up unless you know exactly what you’re doing. Technicians usually replace the fuser assembly altogether once it’s worn out.

• Side note: HP recommends replacing fusers every 100,000 pages or so, depending on the model. That sounds like a lot, but for busy offices, it can come up faster than you’d think.

5. A Faulty Toner Cartridge

Here’s one people overlook: sometimes it’s not the printer at all. It’s the toner cartridge.

Each cartridge has small internal rollers that spin as it prints. If toner powder gets clumpy or the internal drum wears down, it can squeal like a mouse under stress. To clean your HP printer cartridge, try this:

• Remove the toner cartridge.
• Gently shake it side to side (over a bin—toner dust gets everywhere).
• Reinsert it and print a test page.

If that stops the squeak, great. Otherwise, try swapping in a fresh toner. Cheap third-party toners are a common culprit—they often skip lubrication during refills, leading to that awful noise.

Finding the Source of the Noise

When you’re not sure what’s making the sound, here’s how to track it down:

• Open the printer cover. Remove the toner and paper. Spin the visible rollers gently by hand—if you hear the squeak, there’s your culprit.
• Print a test page. Note when the noise starts—right away (rollers), midway (gears or toner), or at the end (fuser).
• Try printing without toner. Some printers let you do this for testing. If it’s silent, you’ve isolated the issue.
• Listen from the back. The fuser and exit rollers sit at the rear, so if the sound’s louder there, you’re dealing with one of those.

How to Keep It Quiet (Long-Term Tips)

Once you’ve got your HP printer running quietly again, you’ll want to keep it that way. This is how you do it:

• Clean it regularly. Once every couple of months, give the rollers and paper path a quick wipe-down.
• Use decent paper. Cheap paper sheds dust that clogs up rollers and gears.
• Don’t overload the tray. Too much paper strains the feed mechanism.
• Print something at least once a week. It keeps the moving parts lubricated.
• Keep it cool and dry. High humidity can make rubber parts deteriorate faster.

Wrapping It Up

A squeaky HP printer might sound harmless, but it’s usually a sign of wear—and if you ignore it, small issues can turn into expensive repairs. Whether it’s a dried roller, a dusty feed system, or a tired fuser, every squeak has a reason.

You can fix most of them yourself with a cloth, a little patience, and maybe a dab of lubricant. And if that fails? That’s what the professionals are for.

When to Call a Technician

Whether it’s a simple fix or a deeper issue—worn bearings, drive gears, or the transfer belt—a qualified technician can pinpoint exactly where the friction is coming from. They can replace individual components instead of the entire printer, which can save you hundreds of dollars.At Printer Repair Centre, our HP printer specialists work across Sydney to get your printer back to smooth, quiet operation—fast. Contact us today and have your HP printer inspected, serviced, and back to printing quietly again.