HP Smart Tank 7001 Ink Smear

[Snakeoil52]

Printer  leaves a smear of black that varies in size/length along the left edge of the paper or an envelope. It is normally no longer than 1 inch. It did this when it was brand new and the tech had me run some tests and the problem went away. It's bee over a year now and the printer is out of warranty and the problem has returned. It appears to be related to the printer not being used for a few days. But there have been times when the printer has not been used for months and not had the problem.

[Jerry_57 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Snakeoil52,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

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

Ink smearing on the HP Smart Tank 7001 printer can occur for a variety of reasons, including printhead alignment, cleaning required, or low-quality paper. Here's how you can troubleshoot this issue:

 

Check Printer Settings:
 

• Ensure that the paper size and type settings match the paper you loaded. Incorrect settings might cause the ink to smear.

Use Genuine HP Ink:
 

• Make sure you are using genuine HP ink containers for optimal performance and to prevent smearing.

Printhead Cleaning:
 

• Perform an automatic cleaning cycle to ensure the printheads are clean. This option is typically available in the printer settings or maintenance tab on the HP app. HP App – For HP Printers, Laptops, and Tech Accessories | HP® Official Site

Printhead Alignment:
 

• Re-align the printheads using the printer’s software. Misalignment can cause uneven ink distribution, leading to smears.

Paper Quality:
 

• Use high-quality paper designed for inkjet printers. Low-quality paper might absorb excess ink, leading to smearing.

Regular Usage:
 

• Printers work best when used regularly. If the printer is unused for long periods, perform a cleaning cycle before printing to remove any dry ink build-up.

Manual Cleaning:
 

• Occasionally, manually clean the area inside the printer around the ink cartridge and toner. Use a lint-free cloth to gently clean any visible ink build-up.
  
  
  I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Jerry_57

HP Support

[Snakeoil52]

Thanks Jerry.  I found the various instruction to clean the heads and other checks in the Smart HP app and the problem is gone. I will make note of your suggestions for future reference.

Not sure if you are a HP person, but will post this here anyway. When I was looking for help in dealing with the problem, I did a seach for HP support. A very official looking HP support came up in my Google search and  I was able to connect to an AI assistant that asked questions to narrow down my needs. It was all going well until it was time to talk to an breathing assistant and that's when they asked for money. At that point, it was clear that it was not HP that I was talking to.  It may be impossible to stop these scammers. But thought HP should know about this one.

[Jerry_57]

Thanks for sharing—your warning cuts through the noise like a clear bell.
And We are from HP.

Regards
Jerry_57
HP Support