Printouts have “smudged” looking areas (not entire document)

[AudreyC]

Have a problem with printouts looking smudged in sporadic areas on the document.  It’s not the entire document (most of it looks perfect).  I put in a new cartridge so it’s not a matter of being low/out of ink.  I have “aligned the printer” and have gone through numerous rounds of “clean print head” all to no avail for any length of time.  May get a page or two out without the smudge but inevitably smudge pages start coming out.  Hope someone out here can help.

[priyaS]

Please specify the printer model number and also are the new cartridges installed refilled ones or genuine HP ink cartrirges

Although I am an HP employee, I am speaking all this from my own experience and not for HP.

[AudreyC]

Thanks for responding back to my inquiry.  The printer is HP Officejet Pro 8500 wireless and the cartridges are new HP's (not refilled).

[priyaS]

This below document might prove to be useful for you :

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01820674&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en

Although I am an HP employee, I am speaking all this from my own experience and not for HP.

[AudreyC]

I'll give this a shot although I am not sure wet ink is the problem.  The settings on my computer haven’t been changed and the smudging is a new issue.  It’s an intermittent occurrence and when it does happen, it’s only on the upper part of the document.  If, based on this additional info, you think it might be something other than an ink drying issue, please let me know your thoughts.  I am very appreciative of your assistance.

Thinking out loud here ----- could it possibly be a bum cartridge?

[priyaS]

Please try the above steps in the link and lemme knw the results for this now

Although I am an HP employee, I am speaking all this from my own experience and not for HP.

[pcwizard]

Hi AudreyC,

Does this happen on standard letter paper or Photo paper?

What is the paper specifications you are using?

Are you using OEM HP Cartridges?

[AudreyC]

This is happening on standard paper (paper we have been using forever without issue).  It's multi-system paper, 20 LB weight (75 g/m).  Yes, the ink is HP OfficeJet 940 cartridges. 

The problem with the printing appears to be in the upper third of the page (letter size, portrait) --- rest of page is fine. It's like this one section of the printer just isn't grabbing the ink and letters/numbers falling within that section are faint and smudged a bit (the rest of the document is perfectly okay).  Any way I can scan and email an example so that you get a better idea? 

Thanks!

[AudreyC]

Thanks.  I did check out the info on the link but that doesn't appear to be the problem.  It's only in one section of the page and the print is light/faint with some smudging.  It's like this area of the printer is not getting the ink it needs to print clearly (the rest of the page is fine).

[pcwizard]

Hi AudreyC, 

How old is the paper you are using?

Have you tried a new ream of paper to see if you have the same issue?