Faint/faded printing

[Melissaann2123]

Color printing has progressively decreased in quality over the past month (supply levels are nearly full; ink purchased from HP). More recently, printing in black and white has become an issue, too: printed pages are extremely faded to the point of disappearing at the end of the page.

Things I have tried to resolve the issue include:

• Uninstalling and reinstalling printer software on my computer
• Resetting printer to factory settings
• Using different paper brands
•  Adjusting printer settings on my computer (ie. changing print quality, paper type, EconoMode, ink density)
• Replacing all ink and toner with genuine HP cartridges (my supply levels are full)
• Printing a cleaning page
• Printing a print quality page (all five colors show up with no streaks, dots, or bands, but they are very faint and barely discernible on the page)

[TEJ1602]

@Melissaann2123, Welcome to HP Support Community!

To provide you with an accurate solution, I would like to know the following:

What happens when you print pictures?

Which application are you trying to print from?

Ensure that the printer is up to date with its firmware and Mac is up to date with its software. If you are unsure you may use the links below to update the printer firmware and Mac software:

Update printer firmware

Update software on Mac 

Remove and add the printer

Click the Apple menu, and then select System Preferences.

Depending on your operating system version, click Print & Fax, Print & Scan, or Printers & Scanners.

Click the name of your printer, click the Minus sign, and then delete the printer.

Click the Plus sign, and then click Add Printer or Scanner.

Click the Use or Print Using box, and then select AirPrint

Click Add to add the printer to the list.

Try to print.

Keep me posted for further assistance.

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! 

[Melissaann2123]

Hi TEJ1602,

Thanks for your response. To answer your questions, printing pictures results in distorted colors on the image (yellowish/gray tinge) and often entire parts of the picture are missing because they're so faded and poor quality. This occurs regardless of the application I print from; I've tried Chrome, Word, Preview, and Adobe Reader.

I updated all the software/firmware for my printer as well as my Mac. I also followed your instructions for adding/removing the printer from my System Preferences. In between each step, I restarted my computer.

Unfortunately, none of these things has helped with my problem.

[TEJ1602]

@Melissaann2123

This looks like a hardware issue.

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

Hope this helps!

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!