Even after running print head clean and align, there are still faults in quality report

[Animesh15]

smart tank 520 series printer

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @Animesh15,

Welcome to The HP Support Community.  

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

I understand you're experiencing print quality issues with your HP Smart Tank 520 series printer despite running printhead cleaning and alignment, 

here are some additional troubleshooting steps you can try:

1. Check the Ink Levels

• Ensure that the ink tanks are sufficiently filled and that there is no air trapped in the ink supply tubes.
• If the ink is low, refill the tanks using genuine HP ink to avoid clogging or quality issues.

2. Clean the Printheads Manually

• Sometimes, automatic cleaning may not be enough. Perform a manual cleaning of the printheads using a lint-free cloth and distilled water:
  1. Turn off the printer and unplug it.
  2. Remove the printheads carefully following the printer manual.
  3. Gently clean the nozzles with a damp cloth (do not use alcohol or tap water).
  4. Let them dry completely before reinstalling.

3. Perform a Second-Level Printhead Cleaning

• HP printers often have a deeper cleaning option in the software:
  • Open HP Smart on your computer.
  • Navigate to Print Quality Tools or Printer Maintenance.
  • Select Second-Level Cleaning or Deep Cleaning.

4. Check the Paper Type and Quality

• Ensure you're using the correct type of paper for your print job. Low-quality or incompatible paper can cause print defects.
• Check that the paper is loaded correctly and that the tray guides are properly adjusted.

5. Inspect and Update Printer Firmware Update the firmware on an HP printer

• Outdated firmware can affect print quality. Check for firmware updates using the HP Smart app:
  • Go to Settings > Printer Settings > Printer Maintenance > Firmware Update.

6. Run the Print Quality Diagnostic Report Again

• After performing the above steps, print another quality diagnostic page to identify any remaining issues.
• Look for:
  • Misaligned colors
  • Gaps or streaks
  • Faded areas

7. Replace the Printheads if Necessary

• If cleaning and alignment don’t resolve the issue, the printheads might be worn out or defective.

Refer to this document:  HP Smart Tank 520 All-in-One series User manual

HP Smart Tank 210 and 500 series printers - Color or black ink not printing, other print quality iss...
 

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day.

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