My printer is printing a shadow on everything I print. It is HP Photosmart C4680

[Maverick00]

I have tried all of the suggestions.  Alignment, new cartridges and nothing works.  I've replaced the cartridges twice and still prints with shadows.  I can't afford to keep buying more ink cartridges!  Is this printer just junk or what?!

[TEJ1602]

@Maverick00, Welcome to HP Support Community!

I see that the printer has print quality issues and I appreciate your efforts in trying to resolve the issue.

If you have already performed the steps from the document Fixing Print Quality Problems for the HP Photosmart C4600 and C4700 All-in-One Printer Series and the issue persists, it could be a hardware failure.

Please reach out to the HP Support in your region regarding the service options for your printer.

Hope this helps!

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[Maverick00]

Unfortunately, this information was not helpful.  I have tried all of the suggestions.  When I print the print quality diagnostic report, the actual words don't have shadows, like everything else I print.  The problem is not with the ink or actual print quality.  Something is creating shadows on things that I print from my computer.  Emails, photos, statements, scanned documents and so on have shadows behind the print.  Some things, like bank statements, have some print come out normal, but the rest of the print on the page has shadows.  It doesn't matter if I print in color or black and white.  There's something wrong and it's not the cartridges, the alignment or the paper.  This started when I installed new cartridges.  They were HP cartridges and they were installed properly.  I've replaced them twice since then and it's never gone back to normal printing.

[TEJ1602]

@Maverick00

Thanks for replying!

For further assistance, I'd like to know the following-

What is the Operating System installed on the computer?

How is the printer connected to the computer?

Keep me posted.

[Maverick00]

Hi.  I have Windows 10 on my PC.  The printer is connected by USB cable.  Thank you.

[TEJ1602]

@Maverick00

Thanks for replying!

Use HP Print and Scan Doctor

Download HP Print and Scan Doctor and run the program. It will automatically diagnose and fix any printing/scanning issues. 

For more information, go to https://support.hp.com/us-en/topic/printscandoctor

Update the printer firmware

Download available firmware updates from the HP website

With the printer on and connected to the computer, go to HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads, and then identify your printer. Look for and install any available firmware updates. Refer to the document HP Printers - Updating or Upgrading Printer Firmware

Check the printer driver settings. Refer to the document for help- HP Printers - Print Driver Settings Guide (Windows)

If the issue persists, I recommend you delete the driver and root level and retry, follow the steps below: 

1) In Windows, search for and open Programs and features 

2) Select your HP Printer 

3) Select Uninstall 

4) In Windows, search for and open Devices and printers 

5) In the Devices and Printers windows look for your HP printer. If you see it listed right-click on it and choose ‘Delete’ or ‘Remove Device’ 

6) Open up the run command with the “Windows key + R” key combo. 

7) Type printui.exe /s and click Ok. (Note: there is a space in between “printui.exe”

8). Click on the “Drivers” tab 

9) Look for HP Printer driver. If you see it Click on it and click Remove at the bottom 

10) Select Ok 

11) Select Apply and Ok on the Print Server Properties windows 

12) Close Devices and Printers.

Use this link to download and install the new driver. Configure the printer and try printing.

If you still have issues, try the Windows built-in drivers. Follow the steps below:

•  Uninstall the printer drivers. Go to Control Panel - Devices and Printers - Click on "Add printer" and follow the on-screen instructions.

•  When the page prompts for the drivers, select "Windows update". The driver list will be updated.

•  Click HP, Hewlett Packard, or Hewlett-Packard in the Manufacturer pane, and then click the name of your printer in the Printers pane.

Refer to this document HP Printers - Installing and Using the Windows Built-in Print Driver for help

Keep me posted. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[Maverick00]

Scan Doctor waste of time.  They think everything is fine but it still prints shadows behind the print.  Firmware waste of time, still prints shadows.

[Maverick00]

This is a lot of work just to get shadows gone.  I think it would take less time to drive to the store and buy a different brand of printer.

[TEJ1602]

@Maverick00

I have brought your issue to the attention of an appropriate team within HP. They will likely request information from you in order to look up your case details or product serial number. Please look for a private message from an identified HP contact. Additionally, keep in mind not to publicly post personal information (serial numbers and case details). 

If you are unfamiliar with how the Forum's private message capability works, you can learn about that here.

Thank you for visiting the HP Support Community.