Deskjet 2700 left most top character smeared

[Ray_Brea]

Using HP instant ink. Printer smears the left most character of the top line or line after some blank space above. Black ink is first new cartridge from HP after using the set up cartridge. [edited]

Note smear under "Windows Printer", and the "P" in Printer Properties.

[Garp_senchau · Accepted solution]

@Ray_Brea, Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue

From what you described, the leftmost character of the top line smearing (especially after blank space above) on your HP DeskJet 2700 series using Instant Ink cartridges points to a minor ink buildup or paper feed alignment issue that happens when the printhead starts a new text region after idle space.

Here’s how to fix it systematically:

Clean the printhead from HP App

Open the HP app on your computer or phone.

Go to Printer Settings → Print Quality Tools → Clean Printheads.

Run the Level 1 cleaning first.

Print a test page and check if the leftmost smearing improves.

If still present, repeat once or use Level 2 (Deep Cleaning).

Align the printhead

In the same HP App→ Print Quality Tools → Align Printheads.

The printer will print a page and ask you to scan it for calibration.

This ensures that ink nozzles line up precisely when moving side to side — a misalignment often causes edge smears.

Check paper feed and top margin

Load fresh, clean paper (no humidity, curled edges, or dust).

In the print dialog, check the paper type is “Plain Paper”.

Reduce the top margin by about 0.25 inch if you’re printing close to the top edge.

The first printed line sometimes gets smeared if it’s within the first 0.2 inch from the top.

Manually inspect the cartridge area

Power off the printer and unplug it.

Open the ink cartridge access door.

Use a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water to gently clean any ink buildup on the bottom edge of the black cartridge and the rubber paper feed rollers.

Let it dry for 10–15 minutes before turning it back on.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

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Regards,

[Ray_Brea]

Ok. I did all that. I removed and cleaned the black cartridge contacts and ink jets using electronic component cleaner. I also parked the ink carriage at the accessible position used to replace ink. I cleaned the silver slider rod and the contacts in the carriage. The printing is missing less of the left most black and is marginally acceptable. This all began when I replaced the "starter" black ink cartridge with a new instant ink cartridge. Might it be the cartridge? I  have no spare. And my multiple test pages have used up my page allowance. 

[Garp_senchau]

Hey @Ray_Brea,

Thank you for your response.

I would need to know a few details regarding your Instant ink account to help you get sorted. Since the instant ink account details are confidential, please send me the required information via private message.   

To access your private messages, simply click the private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your profile name.

You can use this link as well: Private Messages - HP Support Community

To locate your account, please provide

Your registered email address

Your Instant Ink account ID

Serial number of your printer enrolled in instant ink

Confirm your address,

Take care and have a great day ahead!

Best Regards,

[Ray_Brea]

The problem was the 67 Black ink cartridge. When I replaced it with the new one sent me the problem was solved.