Faded stripes across dark solid areas of pring

[Robi215]

When I print a color document, if there are large areas of solid color, they print with stripes, as if the color ran.  For example, I printed a short document which had a large dark block of dark blue on the first page and it came out with light magenta stripes. 

I have checked the toner cartridges (they're all at least half-full) and checked for swr updates (I'm up to date).  I tried turning it off and turning it back on (ha-ha) and that didn't help either.  I ran the self-check diagnostics - they came back a-ok. 

Any thoughts? 

[Raj2111]

Hi @Robi215 

Welcome to the HP support community.
 

I understand you're experiencing an issue with your HP device, It sounds like you're experiencing an issue with color printing quality on your HP OfficeJet Pro 6978, where large areas of solid color print with stripes or uneven coloring. This issue can be frustrating, but there are several steps you can take to try to resolve it. Based on your description, here are some suggestions that may help fix the problem:

1. Perform a Printhead Cleaning

• On the printer’s control panel, go to Setup > Printer Maintenance.
• Choose Clean Printhead or Clean Cartridges (depending on your printer model).
• Follow the on-screen instructions to clean the printhead.
• After cleaning, print a test page to see if the issue improves.

2. Check for Ink Smears or Ink on the Printer

• Open the printer and carefully inspect the area around the ink cartridges for any ink buildup.
• Use a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with water to clean any visible ink or residue inside the printer, especially on the ink carriage or near the printhead.

3. Perform an Alignment

• From the printer’s control panel, navigate to Setup > Printer Maintenance > Align Printhead.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to perform the alignment.

4. Replace the Cartridges

5. Check Printer Settings for High-Quality Print

• Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Right-click on the HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 icon > Printing Preferences.
• Set Print Quality to Best or High Quality.

6. Try a Printhead Cleaning from the HP Software

• Go to HP Printer Assistant (search for it on your PC).
• Under Printer Maintenance, choose Clean Printhead.
• Follow the instructions to clean the printheads, then print a test page to check for improvements.

7. Update Printer Firmware

You mentioned that your printer is up-to-date, but it’s always worth double-checking for firmware updates:

• Go to HP Support > Software & Drivers > Enter your printer model.
• Check for any available firmware updates and install them if applicable.

8. Reset the Printer

• Turn off the printer and unplug it for 60 seconds.
• Plug it back in and turn it on, then try printing again.

I hope this helps! Keep me posted.

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

-Regards
Raj-HP Support