Black ink skipping a majority of the lines

[maddsmurr]

Our DeskJet 3700 worked to print a few pages over a few weeks and then suddenly stopped printing correctly. The black ink skips a majority of the lines on a page where it is illegible. I have done every reset and cleaning option (hard reset, HP Smart resets, multiple clean and align cycles, manual cleaning) and nothing has worked. I reached out to HP when the warranty was still valid and we did all of the troubleshooting and cleaning AGAIN over many hours and although the problem remained, I had to eventually end the help session to sleep. After putting off starting that grueling process again, the warranty has now just expired. 5 -10 pages should not have ruined the printer. Please help

[Nal_NR]

Hi @maddsmurr,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd like to help!

Perform the following tasks in the order given. Use the printer after each task to see if the issue is resolved.

Check for issues with the ink cartridges

Very low ink levels, using non-HP cartridges, and rough handling can cause print quality issues.

Replace any non-HP or refilled cartridges with genuine HP cartridges. HP supplies are available from the HP Store and local retailers.

HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP or refilled cartridges. Go to HP Anti Counterfeiting and Fraud Program for more information.

Check the ink levels and replace any low or empty cartridges.

NOTE:

The printer features a 'backup mode' that enables printing with one cartridge. Remove the low or empty cartridge to continue printing if a replacement is not available. Depending on the cartridge removed, blacks will not be as dark and color prints will be in grayscale.

Rough handling of cartridges during transport or installation can cause print quality problems. Wait a few hours for the automatic servicing routine to complete, and then try to print again.

If you have a defective HP cartridge, it might be under warranty. Go to About Original HP Cartridges for page yield and HP limited warranty information.

Run a Print Quality Diagnostic report

Use a Print Quality Diagnostic report to check if the ink cartridges need to be cleaned or if there is an alignment issue.

Load plain white paper in the tray.

Print the report from the HP Smart app or the full-feature printer software.

Windows: Search Windows for your printer name to open HP Printer Assistant. Click Maintain Your Printer, select the Device Services tab, and then click Print Quality Diagnostics Page to print the report.

Mac: From the Applications > HP folder, select HP Utility. Click Print Quality Diagnostics, and then click Print to print the report.

Android, iOS: Go to 123.hp.com to install the HP Smart app on your device. After you add the printer, click the picture of your printer. The report is located under Printer Reports, or in Advanced Settings > Tools > Utilities > Print Quality Toolbox.

Check for issues indicated on the report, and then follow the instructions provided to resolve the issue.

Click here for the remaining steps

Update firmware

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
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!

[maddsmurr]

All of these tasks have already been completed and have not solved the issue. The ink cartridge is the original that came with the printer.

[Rainbow23]

Hi @maddsmurr,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

As you have already tried the troubleshooting steps, this could be a hardware issue with the unit and may need repair. 

I have sent you a private message with the required information to talk to HP Support. 

In order to access your private messages, click the Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it or simply click on this link