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# System prepended metadata

title: HP 9730e Won’t Print on A3 (Tray 2)? Here’s How to Fix It

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# HP 9730e Won’t Print on A3 (Tray 2)? Here’s How to Fix It
If your HP 9730e keeps printing on A4 instead of A3 (Tray 2)—even though the printer clearly detects A3 paper—you’re not alone. This is a common issue caused by driver defaults, app settings, or tray configuration mismatches.

Many users report the same problem:

**“My 9730e will not print on A3 (tray 2) no matter how many settings I adjust in the HP App or on the printer. The printer detects that A3 is loaded into tray 2, but whenever I send an A3 document, it always prints on A4.”**

Let’s walk through the exact fixes step by step.

**If you’d rather get instant help from a live technician, you can also call:
📞 1-888-765-0492**

## About the Brand

This wide-format printer is made by HP, a globally trusted printing brand. While HP printers are reliable, wide-format models like the 9730e depend heavily on correct driver + tray + app alignment. If even one of these is mismatched, the printer will silently fall back to A4.

## Why Your HP 9730e Prints A4 Instead of A3

In most cases, this happens because Windows/macOS or the HP Smart app is still set to A4 as the default paper size, even though Tray 2 physically contains A3.

Common causes include:

Driver default paper size = A4

Document page size doesn’t match A3

Tray 2 not mapped to A3 in printer preferences

HP Smart App overriding manual tray selection

Corrupted or outdated printer driver

The printer “sees” A3, but your computer is still telling it to use A4.

## Fix 1: Set Tray 2 to A3 in Printer Preferences (Very Important)
This is the most critical step.

**On Windows**

Go to Control Panel → Devices & Printers

Right-click your HP 9730e → Printing Preferences

Open Paper/Quality or Advanced tab

Set:

Paper Size: A3

Paper Source: Tray 2

Click Apply → OK

Then open Printer Properties → Device Settings and confirm Tray 2 = A3.

**On Mac**

Open System Settings → Printers & Scanners

Select your HP printer

Go to Options & Supplies

Confirm Tray 2 is assigned to A3

This forces your system to treat Tray 2 as A3 permanently.

## Fix 2: Make Sure Your Document Is Also Set to A3
Even if the printer is set correctly, your document must match.

Before printing:

Open your file (PDF / Word / Image)

Go to Print → Paper Size

Select A3

Turn OFF “Fit to Page” or “Scale to A4”

If the document itself is A4, the printer will always output A4—no matter what’s in Tray 2.

## Fix 3: Avoid HP Smart App (Use System Print Dialog Instead)

Many users find that the HP Smart App forces A4 by default.

Try this instead:

Print directly from Word / Acrobat / Preview

Click More Settings / Advanced

Manually choose:

Paper Size: A3

Tray: Tray 2

This bypasses HP Smart and gives you full control.

## Fix 4: Update or Reinstall the Printer Driver
If settings keep reverting to A4, your driver may be corrupted.

Do this:

1. Remove the printer from your system
1. Restart computer
1. Download the latest full driver
1. Reinstall and re-add the printer
1. Reconfigure Tray 2 as A3 again
1. Driver refresh fixes this issue in many cases.

If you’d like guided help with driver reinstall + tray mapping:

📞 Call Now: 1-888-765-0492

## Fix 5: Try a Quick Reset (Optional)
Sometimes the printer firmware simply needs a reset:

* Power OFF printer
* Unplug power cable for 60 seconds
* Plug back in and turn ON
* Recheck Tray 2 paper size on printer screen

Then try printing A3 again.

## Common User Questions
❓ My printer detects A3 in Tray 2, but still prints A4. Why?

Because your computer driver or document is still set to A4. Physical paper detection alone is not enough.

❓ I changed settings in HP App but nothing works.

HP Smart often overrides tray selections. Use system print preferences instead.

❓ Can this be a hardware issue?

Almost never. This problem is 99% software or configuration related.

❓ Do I need professional help?

If you’ve tried all steps and it still prints A4, a technician can fix it quickly by remotely correcting driver + tray mapping.

## Get Instant Help for HP 9730e Printing Issues

Don’t waste hours testing random settings.

👉 Talk to a live printer expert now:

📞 1-888-765-0492

✅ A3 Tray 2 configuration
✅ Driver reinstall & optimization
✅ HP 9730e won’t print fixes
✅ One-on-one guided support

A short call can get your A3 printing working properly again.