Cannot print red or magenta

[jthelw24]

Cannot print red or magenta.   Changed cartridges and got new errors: 

1.  Unexpected cartridge

2.  Alignment unsuccessful

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @jthelw24,

Welcome to The HP Support Community.  

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

I understand your HP ENVY Photo 7855 All-in-One Printer, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot the issues of not printing red or magenta, the unexpected cartridge error, and the alignment unsuccessful error. Let's address these issues one by one:

1. Cannot Print Red or Magenta

The issue of not printing red or magenta could be due to several reasons, such as clogged printheads or low ink levels. Here’s what you can do:

• Check Ink Levels: Ensure that all ink cartridges have sufficient ink. You can check the ink levels from the printer's control panel or the HP Smart app.
• Clean Printheads: Printhead clogs can cause issues with specific colors. Use the printer's maintenance settings to clean the printheads. This option is usually found in the printer's control panel under "Tools" or "Settings" > "Printer Maintenance" > "Clean Printhead."
• Print a Diagnostic Report: This will help identify if the issue is with the printer hardware or the ink cartridges. You can usually find this option in the printer's settings under "Tools" or "Reports."

2. Unexpected Cartridge Error

An "unexpected cartridge" error generally means that the printer is having trouble recognizing the cartridges. This can happen due to incompatible or damaged cartridges, dirty cartridge contacts, or firmware issues. Here's what you can try:

• Remove and Reinsert Cartridges: Open the ink cartridge access door and carefully remove the cartridges. Inspect them for any protective tape that might not have been removed or any visible damage. Reinsert the cartridges firmly and ensure they click into place.
• Clean Cartridge Contacts: With the printer turned off, gently clean the copper-colored contacts on the cartridges and the corresponding contacts inside the printer with a lint-free cloth slightly moistened with distilled water. Allow them to dry before reinserting.
• Update Printer Firmware: Make sure your printer firmware is up to date. You can do this through the printer’s control panel or by visiting the HP support website.
• Use Genuine HP Cartridges: Ensure that you are using genuine HP cartridges, as third-party or refilled cartridges can sometimes cause recognition issues.

3. Alignment Unsuccessful

The alignment unsuccessful error can occur if the printer is unable to properly align the printheads. This can happen due to dirty or misaligned printheads, incompatible cartridges, or issues with the paper being used. Here’s what you can do:

• Load Paper Correctly: Make sure you are using plain, white paper that is correctly loaded in the input tray. The paper should be flat and not curled or wrinkled.
• Re-align Printheads: Go to the printer’s control panel, and select "Setup" > "Printer Maintenance" > "Align Printhead." Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the alignment process.
• Check for Obstructions: Ensure there are no obstructions in the paper path or around the printhead area that could affect the alignment process.

Refer to this document: HP ENVY Photo 7855 All-in-One Printer User manual 

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. 

[jthelw24]

1. Thanks for info, I can print but it still does not print well.  I followed the troubleshooting steps and here's what happened:
2.  
3.           Ink levels – okay
4.           clean printheads        ok

3,          cleaned contacts       done

1.           unexpected cartridge – it was because I put in a new cartridge even though there was still ink
2.           align printheads          was finally able to do it, and it prited a test page with good black and blue type

But still difficulty printing red or magenta.  (It comes out brown.)