HP 6954 SRL

[Saykenny]

My printer is old and recently I have had problems with it not printing the colors good. I installed new ink cartidges, cleaned the ink cartridge jet contacts in the printer head but that did not solve the problem. The only thing that has changed with it is we just had high speed internet installed. Prior to that we were using a hot spot. Could this have caused this? Is it possible that our printer is too old to accept this new high speed connection? Is there an update that we could do to the printer that would correct this?

[A_Gayathri · Accepted solution]

Hi @Saykenny,

Welcome to The HP Support Community.  

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

I understand your new high-speed internet connection is directly causing the poor color printing issue. Here's a breakdown of what could be happening and steps you can take to address it:

Potential Causes of Poor Color Printing

Ink Cartridge or Printhead Issues:

• New cartridges can sometimes have issues if not installed properly, or if they're not genuine HP cartridges.
• Cleaning the cartridge jet contacts is a good step, but if the printhead is clogged or damaged, it may still cause poor color output.

Printer Age and Maintenance:

• Older printers can accumulate wear and tear on the printhead or internal components, leading to color issues.

Driver or Firmware Issues:

• Installing new high-speed internet may have indirectly affected the printer's performance if there are outdated drivers or firmware.

Steps to Resolve the Issue

Check and Clean the Printhead Again

• Run the printhead cleaning utility from the printer’s control panel or the HP software on your computer.
• Perform a nozzle check pattern to ensure all colors are printing correctly.

Check Ink Cartridges

• Confirm the cartridges are seated properly.
• Verify that they are genuine HP cartridges (third-party cartridges may sometimes cause quality issues).
• Replace the cartridges with another new set if possible.

Update Printer Firmware

1. Download and install the latest firmware for your printer from the HP support website.
2. Ensure the printer is connected to the internet (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) during the firmware update.

Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

1. Uninstall the current drivers and software from your computer.
2. Download and install the latest drivers from HP's website for your specific printer model.

Test with Another Network Connection

• While it's unlikely that the new high-speed internet is affecting printing quality, you could test the printer on another network (e.g., reconnect it to your hotspot temporarily) to rule out any unusual interference.

Evaluate the Printer’s Age

• If you've had the printer for several years, it might be worth considering that internal components, such as the printhead, are wearing out.
• If the printhead cannot be replaced, or if repairs cost more than a new printer, upgrading to a newer model may be the best solution.

Other Tips

• Print a printer diagnostics report to check alignment and color issues.
• Make sure your printer is set to default quality settings (not draft mode).

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day.

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