HP Envy 7640 smearing and cutting off leters

[CooperChurch1]

Recently out HP Envy 7640 when it prints smears, and cuts off random letters while printing, I tried all of the recommendations, including a three step ink cartridge cleaning, two alignments, and a smear fix built into the printer, I also shut off the printer, and did a hard reset but nothing is working, the alignments also are failing.

[Riddle_Decipher]

@CooperChurch1 Welcome to HP Community!

I suggest you follow the below steps to resolve the issue:

Clean the area around the ink nozzles

Do not perform these steps unless the test page or printout specifically shows smeared text or track marks. If you see track marks or smears on the printouts, follow these steps to 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.

3. Open the ink cartridge access door by placing two fingers under one or both of the small handles on the sides of the ink cartridge access door and then lifting it up. Wait until the carriage is idle and silent before you continue.

   

   The Door Open screen displays on the printer control panel with the message, 'The cover or door must be closed to print. Check that it is completely closed.' A Change Ink option also displays on the bottom right corner of the touchscreen. You do not need to select this option at this time.

4. Lightly press down on one of the ink cartridges to release it, and then pull the ink cartridge toward you out of its slot.

   

      CAUTION: 

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

5. Hold the ink cartridge by its sides.

   

6. Inspect the ink cartridge contacts for ink and debris buildup.

      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.

   

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

8. 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. Cartridge contacts - Do not clean

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

10. Reinsert the ink cartridge by sliding it at a slight upward angle into the empty slot, and then gently pushing up on the ink cartridge until it snaps into place.

    • Reinsert the tri-color ink cartridge into the left slot.

    • Reinsert the black ink cartridge into the right slot.

    

11. Repeat these steps to clean around the nozzles on the other ink cartridge.

12. Close the ink cartridge access door.

    

13. Turn on the printer.

Try to print. 

Keep me posted, as I (Or a trusted colleague) shall follow-up on this case to ensure the concern has been addressed, 

And your device is up and running again, only in case you don't get back to us, first! 

That said, If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the solution and kudos buttons, 

That'll help us, and others see that we've got the answers!

Good Luck.

[CooperChurch1]

I tried that. I'm thinking something may have been screwed up when we moved from NJ to Florida, I have tried litteraly everything HP recommends, including the built in cleaning, alignment, and cleaning the cartridges, it feels almost like what a old type writer would do when the head was broken, or the actual ink dried out, so I think it might be that. 

[CooperChurch1]

Well, it was the ink cartridge, it dried out, and I just installed it maybe a month or two ago. 

[Riddle_Decipher · Accepted solution]

@CooperChurch1 Does that mean the issue has been resolved after replacing the ink cartridge? If not, we could attempt a reset too,

Keep me posted, and If you wish to thank me for my efforts, you could click on "Accept as solution" on my post as the solution should help others too.