Printer stopped printing. Prints blanks.

[TechJ]

Clean install of Windows 10 64-bit 1909.  Downloaded HP Smart and connected and print test page looked great.  The printer asked for alignment, so I ran it.  The alignment page printed with some text perfectly printed but the graphics and alignment lines were very incomplete.  I aborted the alignment since the page was useless.  After that the printer only prints blank pages.  Help! Thanks!

[TechJ]

Anyone out there with some expertise who can please address this??

[asmita6658]

Hi @TechJ

Welcome to the HP Support Community. I'd be happy to assist you with the printing issue. 

Let's try these steps -

1. In the search box, type and open "Uninstall a Program".

2. Look for HP Printer software.

3. Right-click to uninstall.

4. In the search box, type and open “Devices and printers”.

5. In the Devices and Printers, look for your HP printer. If you see it listed right-click on it and choose “Delete” or “Remove Device”.

6. Open 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” and “/s”).

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 Once the software and drivers are removed.

13. Restart the computer.

Try adding the printer using IP address -

1.) Select “Start” and type “printers” in the search box.

2.) Choose “Printers & scanners“.

3.) Select “Add a printer or scanner“.

4.) Wait for the “The printer that I want isn’t listed” option to appear, then select it.

5.) Select “Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname” , then select “Next“.

6.) Select “TCP/IP Device” in the “Device type” list.

7.) Type the hostname or the IP address of the printer. Select “Next“. To find the IP address of the printer, touch the Wi-Fi icon on the printer's control panel. 

8.) Windows should find the printer if the printer is on and configured correctly. You may have to specify more information. If prompted, Select the type of network adapter installed in the printer in the “Device Type” drop-down list. You can also click “Custom” to specify custom settings for the network printer. Select “Next“. 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

Please click “Accept as 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!

Have a great day! 

[TechJ]

I guess I wasn't clear.  The driver worked fine at first.  Printed the "Congratulations" page and a word document.  BUT the display on the printer asked to update so I said OK and also the printer had been asking for alignment for months and I OK'd that too.  The print on the alignment page was so bad it was unusable, so I never completed the alignment.  Since then the printer only prints blank pages even the status pages and cleaning pages initiated from the tools menu are blank.  So that has nothing to do with drivers.  The ink status never said it was low. I tried removing the ink cartridges unplugging and holding the power button and then reinstalling the ink.  Same problem, blank status pages.  I'd appreciate expert help.  Thanks!

[sandytechy20]

@TechJ

Manually clean the area around the ink nozzles

1. Gather the following materials:

   • Dry foam-rubber swabs, lint-free cloth, or any soft material that does not come apart or leave fibers (coffee filters work well)

   • Distilled, filtered, or bottled water (tap water might contain contaminants that can damage the ink cartridges)

        CAUTION: 

     Do not use platen cleaners or alcohol to clean the ink cartridge contacts. These can damage the ink cartridge or the printer.

2. Turn on the printer, if it is not already on.

3. Gently grasp the handles on either side of the printer, then raise the ink cartridge access door until it locks into place.

   The carriage moves to the center of the printer.

   

4. Wait until the carriage is idle and silent before you continue.

5. Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.

6. Disconnect the USB cable, if it is connected.

7. To release the ink cartridge, lift the lid on the ink cartridge slot, then gently push the lid back until it stops.

8. Pull up on the ink cartridge to remove it from the slot.

      CAUTION: 

   Do not remove both ink cartridges at the same time. Remove and then clean each ink cartridge one at a time. Do not leave an ink cartridge outside the printer for more than 30 minutes.

   

   1. Lift the lid

   2. Gently push the lid back

   3. Pull up on the ink cartridge

9. Hold the ink cartridge by its sides.

   

      CAUTION: 

   Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or the ink nozzles. Touching these parts can result in clogs, ink failure, and bad electrical connections.

   

10. Lightly moisten a foam-rubber swab or lint-free cloth with distilled water, and then squeeze any excess water from it.

11. Clean the face and edges around the ink nozzle with the swab.

       CAUTION: 

    Do not clean the ink nozzle plate.

    

    1. Nozzle plate - Do not clean

    2. Area surrounding ink nozzle - Do clean

    3. Ink cartridge contacts - Do not clean

12. Either let the ink cartridge sit for 10 minutes to allow the cleaned area to dry, or use a new swab to dry it.

13. Hold the ink cartridge by its sides with the nozzles toward the printer, then slide the ink cartridge forward into the slot.

14. Close the lid on the ink cartridge slot to secure the ink cartridge into place.

15. 1. 

       Insert the ink cartridge

    2. Close the lid

    3. The color ink cartridge is on the left, and the black ink cartridge is on the right

16. Repeat these steps to clean, then reinsert the other ink cartridge.

17. Close the ink cartridge access door.

18. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.

19. Turn on the printer, if it does not turn on automatically.

20. Try to print again, and examine the page.

You can refer this HP document for more assistance:- Click here

I hope that helps.

If this helps, please mark the public post as an accepted solution so that it benefits several others.

Cheers.