Wrong, inaccurate, or bleeding colors
If your printout has one of the following print quality problems, try the solutions in this
section for help.
•
Colors look different than what you expected.
For example, the colors in your graphic or photo look one way on your computer
screen but print out differently, or magenta was replaced with cyan in your printout.
•
Colors run into each other, or look like they are smeared on the page. The edges
might have a feathering appearance instead of being sharp and defined.
Try the following solutions if the colors appear wrong, inaccurate, or bleed into each other.
•
Solution 1: Make sure you are using genuine HP ink cartridges
•
Solution 2: Check the paper loaded in the input tray
•
Solution 3: Check the paper type
•
Solution 4: Check the ink levels
•
Solution 5: Check the print settings
•
Solution 6: Align the printer
•
Solution 7: Automatically clean the print cartridges
•
Solution 8: Contact HP support
Solution 1: Make sure you are using genuine HP ink cartridges
Solution:
Check to see if your ink cartridges are genuine HP ink cartridges.
HP recommends that you use genuine HP ink cartridges. Genuine HP ink cartridges
are designed and tested with HP printers to help you easily produce great results,
time after time.
NOTE:
HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP supplies. Product
service or repairs required as a result of using a non-HP supply will not be covered
under warranty.
If you believe you purchased genuine HP ink cartridges, go to:
www.hp.com/go/anticounterfeit
Cause:
Non-HP ink cartridges were being used.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 2: Check the paper loaded in the input tray
Solution:
Make sure the paper is loaded correctly and that it is not wrinkled or too
thick.
•
Load paper with the side you want to print on facing down. For example, if you
are loading glossy photo paper, load the paper with the glossy side down.
•
Make sure the paper lays flat in the input tray and is not wrinkled. If the paper is
too close to the printhead during printing, the ink might be smeared. This can
happen if the paper is raised, wrinkled, or very thick, such as a mailing envelope.
For more information, see:
Load media
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Cause:
The paper was loaded incorrectly, or it was wrinkled or too thick.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 3: Check the paper type
Solution:
HP recommends that you use HP papers or any other paper type that is
appropriate for the product.
Always make sure the paper you are printing on is flat. For best results when printing
images, use HP Advanced Photo Paper.
Store photo media in its original packaging inside a resealable plastic bag on a flat
surface in a cool, dry place. When you are ready to print, remove only the paper you
plan to use immediately. When you have finished printing, return any unused photo
paper to the plastic bag. This will prevent the photo paper from curling.
For more information, see:
•
Load media
•
Recommended papers for printing
Cause:
The wrong kind of paper was loaded in the input tray.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 4: Check the ink levels
Solution:
Check the estimated ink levels in the cartridges.
NOTE:
Ink level warnings and indicators provide estimates for planning
purposes only. When you receive a low-ink warning message, consider having a
replacement cartridge available to avoid possible printing delays. You do not need
to replace the cartridges until print quality becomes unacceptable.
Cause:
The ink cartridges might have insufficient ink.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 5: Check the print settings
Solution:
Check the print settings.
•
Check the print settings to see if the color settings are incorrect.
For example, check to see if the document is set to print in grayscale. Or, check
to see if advanced color settings such as saturation, brightness, or color tone, are
set to modify the appearance of colors.
•
Check the print quality setting and make sure it matches the type of paper loaded
in the product.
You might need to choose a lower print quality setting, if colors are running into
each other. Or, choose a higher setting if you are printing a high-quality photo,
and then make sure photo paper such as HP Advanced Photo Paper, is loaded
in the input tray.
Print quality troubleshooting
39
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NOTE:
On some computer screens, colors might appear differently than they do
when printed on paper. In this case, there is nothing wrong with the product, print
settings, or ink cartridges. No further troubleshooting is required.
Cause:
The print settings were set incorrectly.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 6: Align the printer
Solution:
Align the printer.
Aligning the printer can help ensure excellent print quality.
To align the printer from the HP Photosmart Software
1.
Load letter, A4, or legal unused plain white paper into the input tray.
2.
In the HP Solution Center, click
Settings
.
3.
In the
Print Settings
area, click
Printer Toolbox
.
NOTE:
You can also open the
Printer Toolbox
from the
Print Properties
dialog box. In the
Print Properties
dialog box, click the
Features
tab, and
then click
Printer Services
.
The
Printer Toolbox
appears.
4.
Click the
Device Services
tab.
5.
Click
Align the Printer
.
The product prints a test page, aligns the print head, and calibrates the printer.
Recycle or discard the page.
Cause:
The printer needed to be aligned.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 7: Automatically clean the print cartridges
Solution:
Clean the print cartridges.
For more information, see
Automatically clean print cartridges
Cause:
The print cartridge contacts needed to be cleaned.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 8: Contact HP support
Solution:
Contact HP support for service.
Go to:
www.hp.com/support
.
If prompted, choose your country/region, and then click
Contact HP
for information
on calling for technical support.
Cause:
There was a problem with the printhead.
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