HP inkjet 6958 prints horizontal lines

[john11937]

My HP Office inkjet 6958 prints  entire pages of horizontal black lines 1/4 in. apart on top of text I want printed.  I've put in new ink cartridges (the expensive OEM HP ones),  performed the three cleaning cycles available on the printer.  The problem has not improved one bit.   Any help will be most welcome. Thank you.  JG

[Raj_05]

Hi @john11937,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It sounds like your HP OfficeJet 6958 is experiencing a printhead issue, even after replacing the ink cartridges and performing cleaning cycles. The horizontal black lines are typically caused by clogged printhead nozzles or an alignment problem. Here are some steps you can follow to try and resolve the issue.

Check for printhead misalignment:

• If the printhead is misaligned, it can cause printing defects like horizontal lines. You can try aligning the printhead through the printer’s control panel or via the HP Smart app on your computer. This usually improves print quality.

Deep Cleaning the Printhead:

• You’ve already run regular cleaning cycles, but you can try a deep cleaning process. If your printer supports deep cleaning, it’s usually available in the printer settings under "Maintenance" or "Tools."
• If not, you can manually clean the printhead by carefully removing it and soaking the bottom of the printhead in warm water for a few minutes, using a lint-free cloth to gently wipe it. Let it dry fully before reinserting it into the printer.

Check the Printhead:

• Ensure the printhead is seated properly. If it’s loose, the ink may not be getting delivered correctly, causing printing issues like the horizontal lines.

Printer Firmware Update:

• Check for any firmware updates for your printer that might address this problem. Sometimes, a firmware update can resolve print quality issues.

Print a Test Page:

• Print a diagnostic page from the printer’s menu to check the print quality and see if the lines appear in specific areas or throughout the page. This could help pinpoint whether it's a printhead issue or another mechanical problem.

These steps should help narrow down the cause of the horizontal black lines and hopefully resolve the issue.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support