Clean page Smears

[Diamond2909]

HP Envy 5540 printer, my daughter-in-law and I have gone through all the steps we have been told to go through online via HP's website and still continue to get page smears. 

Does anyone have any ideas as to what we can do to help fix this. 

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Diamond2909,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

I understand your HP Envy 5540 is producing smears on clean pages even after completing the recommended troubleshooting steps. Let’s go through a few additional checks to help isolate the cause.

Verify the type and condition of paper
Use plain, dry paper that meets HP specifications and avoid glossy or damp sheets.
Incorrect or moisture-affected paper can cause ink to smear after printing.

Check print quality settings
Open the print preferences on the computer and select Normal print quality.
High ink density modes can cause excess ink that leads to smearing.

Clean the printhead again after rest period
Run the printhead cleaning from the printer software once.
Allow the printer to sit unused for 30–60 minutes before printing to let ink stabilize.

Inspect and clean internal rollers
Turn off the printer and unplug it from the wall outlet.
Using a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with water, gently clean any visible rollers and ink residue inside the printer.

Print a diagnostic or alignment page
From the printer control panel, print a Print Quality Diagnostic Page.
Check if the smears appear in specific colors or locations, which can indicate ink pooling.

Check ink cartridge condition
Remove the ink cartridges and inspect for ink leakage or residue on the nozzles.
Leaking or oversaturated cartridges can cause repeated smears even on new pages.

Allow printed pages to dry before stacking
After printing, let pages rest flat for several minutes before handling or stacking.

I hope this helps.

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