HP LaserJet 59.00.00 Main Motor Failure — Fix Guide

Joe B.

Reviewed for technical accuracy

Specialities: HP LaserJet hardware, 59.00.00 main motor errors, fuser/ITB units, enterprise fleet support

HP LaserJet 59.00.00 main motor failure — 59.0X / 59.XX motor error, fuser drive & ITB diagnostics

Technician

Hey! Let’s break down this HP LaserJet 59.00.00 main motor failure so you know if it’s a quick fix or a hardware repair.
The 59.00.00 / 59.0X / 59.XX series errors usually mean the printer detects a problem driving internal components — main motor, fuser drive, transfer belt (ITB), toner/drive gears, or related sensors.
Before we dig in, tell me (in chat, if you’d like): which HP LaserJet model (M402/M404/M477/M479/Enterprise etc.), did the 59.00.00 appear suddenly on power-up, after a jam, or after moving/servicing the device? Any grinding or unusual noise right before the error?

Customer

It’s an HP Color LaserJet MFP. The 59.00.00 main motor error appears at startup, says to power cycle, but it comes back every time. No prints at all now.

Technician

Thanks — that helps.
On HP LaserJet and Color LaserJet devices, a 59.00.00 or related 59.XX code indicates the printer thinks the main motor isn’t turning correctly or something it drives is stalled. Common causes:

• Paper or label jam wrapped in the fuser or drive path, locking the motor.
• A seized or over-tight fuser unit after wear or cheap replacement.
• Binding ITB (intermediate transfer belt) or toner/drive gears out of position.
• Low-voltage/DC controller or sensor feedback fault (less common, but real).

Good news: we can quickly check for obvious mechanical blockage and rule out “easy wins” before deciding if a main motor assembly or fuser/ITB replacement is worth it.

Customer

Where should I look first? I don’t want to tear it apart and break something. It just says “59.00.00 Turn off then on”.

Technician

Perfect approach — we’ll keep it safe and non-destructive.

Step 1 — Proper power reset (rules out glitches)
1) Turn the printer off with the power button.
2) Unplug the power cord for at least 60 seconds.
3) While unplugged, remove all toner cartridges, the fuser (if user-removable), and any paper trays.
4) Check for loose scraps, labels, or packed toner chunks along the paper path.
5) Reinstall components firmly and power back on.
If 59.00.00 shows instantly again, it’s usually not just firmware — we’ll look for a mechanical stall in the main drive system.

Customer

I tried that: removed toner, checked trays, powered off/on. Still 59.00.00. I don’t see any paper jam.

Technician

Good, that rules out the obvious. Next we check pieces that commonly stall the HP LaserJet main motor.

Step 2 — Inspect the fuser unit
1) Power off and unplug again.
2) Open the rear door or fuser access; carefully remove the fuser (follow label/blue levers).
3) Look for:

• Labels or paper wrapped around the orange roller.
• Burned, warped, or broken fuser film.
• Gears on the fuser that look chewed, seized, or extremely hard to turn.

4) Gently rotate the fuser drive gear with your fingers (if accessible). It should turn smoothly. If it’s locked solid, the main motor will throw 59.00.00 trying to move it.
Leave the fuser out for a moment — we’ll see how the printer behaves.

Customer

With the fuser out, I powered it on. It still errors 59.00.00 after a few seconds. I also noticed a brief grinding noise earlier.

Technician

Grinding plus 59.00.00 is a big clue — something in the drive train or ITB is binding.

Step 3 — Check cartridges & transfer belt (for Color LaserJet)
1) Remove all toner cartridges again and look for:

• Loose plastic pieces, springs, or broken gear teeth.
• A cartridge drum that won’t rotate smoothly.

2) If your device has an ITB (intermediate transfer belt):

• Visually inspect the belt for wrinkles, toner buildup, or misalignment.
• Gently rotate the exposed ITB gear — it should turn with some resistance but not lock.

3) Re-seat cartridges one by one, listening when you restart:

• If 59.00.00 appears only after a specific cartridge or belt is installed, that unit may be stalling the main motor.

If the error appears regardless and you still hear a clicking, grinding, or no spin-up, we’re likely dealing with a failing main motor assembly, seized gear train, or sensor on the motor circuit.

Customer

So is this something I can fix myself, or do I need to replace the main motor or fuser drive? It’s a small office printer, out of warranty.

Technician

Great question — and where people either save money or waste it.

You can usually DIY if:

• The cause is a visible jam, melted label, or bad aftermarket fuser that you can replace as a module.
• A specific toner cartridge or ITB clearly binds; swapping that part fixes the 59.00.00.

It’s often technician-only work if:

• The main drive assembly gears are stripped/binding inside the frame.
• The main motor itself fails to spin (electrical fault).
• The DC controller or motor feedback sensor is faulty, causing 59.00.00 / 59.0X even with free-moving parts.

In chat we usually:

1. Confirm model and duty cycle.
2. Estimate cost of a main motor or fuser/ITB kit vs a new HP LaserJet.
3. Tell you honestly if repair is worth it or not.

Customer

Is it safe to keep power cycling or forcing it to run with this 59.00.00 error, just to get a few more prints?

Technician

I’d avoid forcing it.
A genuine main motor failure or stalled fuser/ITB means the printer is fighting mechanical resistance every start-up. Repeated power cycles can:

• Strip more gears in the main drive assembly.
• Overstress the fuser or transfer belt.
• Escalate a simple jam-driven 59.00.00 into a full engine repair.

If the error persists after our basic checks, treat it as a stop signal, not a suggestion. Let’s pinpoint whether it’s a replaceable module (fuser, ITB, cartridge) or core motor assembly before you push it further.

Customer

How do I know if it’s worth replacing the main motor vs just buying a new HP LaserJet?

Technician

Great you’re thinking in terms of ROI.
As a rough guide:

• If it’s a smaller desktop LaserJet and the main motor / drive assembly quote is near half the cost of a new device, replacement often wins.
• If it’s an Enterprise / MFP with high duty cycle, a motor or fuser/ITB kit is usually worth it — especially if page count is reasonable.
• If 59.00.00 appeared right after installing a cheap fuser or third-party kit, swap that part first. Many “main motor” errors are actually bad aftermarket fusers.

Drop your exact model and estimated page count in chat; we’ll map out parts pricing vs new hardware so you’re not guessing.

Customer

Got it. After removing a jammed label from the fuser and reseating everything, the printer boots normally without 59.00.00. Thanks for helping me avoid a service call.

Technician

Summary: To fix an HP LaserJet 59.00.00 main motor failure:

• Power down, remove trays/toner, and clear any hidden paper or label jams.
• Inspect and test the fuser, ITB, and cartridges for binding or damaged gears.
• If 59.00.00/59.XX persists with all modules moving freely, suspect the main motor/drive assembly or DC controller.
• Decide repair vs replace based on model class and part cost.

Not sure which scenario you’re in? Open the chat and an HP hardware tech will walk through your exact device in real-time.

Quick answer: working fix for HP 59.00.00 main motor error

Accepted quick fix for HP LaserJet 59.00.00 main motor failure: power off and unplug, remove toner and trays, check and clear fuser/ITB/paper path for jams or labels, verify fuser and gears spin freely, then restart. If the 59.00.00/59.XX error returns with no binding parts, the main motor or drive assembly likely needs professional replacement.

FAQ

Step-by-step: clear HP LaserJet 59.00.00 safely

1. Turn the printer off, unplug the power cord, and let it sit for 60 seconds.
2. Remove paper trays, toner cartridges, and (if accessible) the fuser. Check for jammed paper, labels, or debris.
3. Inspect the fuser and ITB for damage or binding; ensure gears can rotate smoothly.
4. Reinstall components firmly and power the printer on.
5. If 59.00.00/59.XX appears again with no visible obstructions, stop retrying and consult a technician about main motor/drive assembly service.

Note for Windows, macOS & network users

1. The 59.00.00 main motor error is a hardware/engine issue — driver reinstalls alone will not fix a true stall.
2. Clearing jams and resolving the mechanical cause restores printing for all clients (Windows, macOS, Linux, print servers).

Sources

• HP Support — 59.XX motor error overview
• HP Support — 59.00.B0 / motor-related error guidance
• HP Official Support — model-specific service manuals & parts

Matt ● replies in < 1 min

Technician Expert

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Trusted by 27,000+ customers

Alex · Expert's Assistant

Send Message →

4 Tech Support Specialists are online right now.