Horizontal Lines on Print - Cannot Clean Printheads

[YCantItJustWork]

I have a new ENVY Inspire 7220e. I've just printed some images and there are horizontal lines through all of them. I've aligned print cartridges but cannot clean the printheads. The printheads shouldn't be clogged or dirty. It's only printed a dozen pages since I installed it, but I can't clean them anyway!

Whether I do it from the HP App or from the printer control screen it just hangs - the whirring circle of doom. No movement, no noise, nothing. I can't turn the printer off, can't cancel the cleaning from the screen.  I have to pull the power cord and do a hard reset. Try again ... same thing. I've tried using the app, and tried the control screens. Neither functions.

I can't update the firmware. So while the printer definitely doesn't live up to its name,  if anyone has any inspiration on how to fix this I'd be grateful as I really don't want to have to go to the hassle of returning it!

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @YCantItJustWork 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thank you for the detailed description and for already trying alignment, cleaning, and firmware updates. I understand how frustrating it is to see horizontal lines on prints and then be unable to run the cleaning cycle—especially on a new ENVY Inspire 7220e that’s barely been used. 

Let’s go through a focused set of steps to help restore clean output and recover control of the cleaning function:

 

Steps to Address Horizontal Lines and Frozen Printhead Cleaning

Power Reset with Ink System Flush

• Turn off the printer using the power button (if responsive).
• Unplug the power cord from the back and wait 2 minutes.
• While unplugged, open the cartridge access door and remove both cartridges.
• Close the door, reconnect power, and turn the printer on without cartridges.
• Wait until the printer displays a message about missing cartridges.
• Reinsert cartridges one at a time, starting with black, then color.

Run Print Quality Diagnostic Page

• On the printer control panel:
  • Tap Settings → Reports → Print Quality Report.
• This page shows color blocks and alignment patterns. Check for missing lines or faded areas.

Try Cleaning via Embedded Web Server (EWS)

• Find the printer’s IP address:
  • Tap Wireless icon on the control panel → view IP address.
• On your PC, open a browser and enter the IP address (e.g., http://192.168.1.5).
• Navigate to Tools → Printer Maintenance → Clean Printhead.
• This method bypasses the app and control panel interface.

Update Firmware via HP Easy Start

• Download HP Easy Start from:
  HP ENVY Inspire 7220e Software and Drivers
• Run the installer and select Update Firmware only.
• This method works even if the HP App fails to push updates.

Check Print Settings

• On your Windows PC:
  • Go to Control Panel → Devices and Printers → right-click your printer → Printing Preferences.
  • Under Paper/Quality, ensure Best or Normal quality is selected.
  • Avoid Draft mode, which can exaggerate banding.

Try Printing from a Different App

• Use a different application (e.g., Word, Paint, or Photos) to print the same image.
• This helps rule out software-specific rendering issues.

If Cleaning Still Freezes

If the cleaning cycle continues to hang and the firmware cannot be updated through conventional means, the issue may lie in the printer’s internal ink system controller. The steps above will help confirm whether the system can be reset and accessed through alternate paths.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[YCantItJustWork]

Many thanks for the detailed steps.

- Power reset and flush worked fine.

- Diagnostics: there is a distinct white line in the yellow box and line in the green box with the arrow.

- EWS Cleaning: resulted in 'lost communication with the printer' as the printer hung with no action. Had to cancel on the printer control panel.

- Aligned printer heads okay though.

- Update firmware: the links didn't quite work but managed to download the Firmware Updater which resulted in a message saying the updater doesn't contain any upgrades so can't update the device.

- Print settings are normal; but there are less lines with highest quality (although that would be an unacceptable solution).

- Apps used make no difference to print quality.

- I'm still unable to clean cartridges.

So is it terminal? I seriously don't want to have to return the printer - it's hardly the easiest thing. It was purchased through Amazon. 

Thanks for your help so far.

[Hawks_Eye]

You are very welcome @YCantItJustWork 

I understand how discouraging it must feel to see those persistent horizontal lines and then have the cleaning cycle freeze, especially on a printer that’s practically new. 

You’ve already been very thorough—resetting, aligning, checking diagnostics, and even attempting firmware updates—so let’s focus on the remaining possibilities that can help restore proper output.

 

Step 1: Reseat and Inspect Cartridges

• Remove both cartridges again and check the copper contacts for any ink residue or film.
• Gently wipe with a lint‑free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water.
• Reinsert firmly until they click into place.
• Sometimes poor contact can prevent cleaning cycles from initiating properly.

 

Step 2: Run a Print Quality Report Again

• On the printer control panel: Settings → Reports → Print Quality Report.
• If the same white lines appear in the yellow and green blocks, it confirms ink delivery is inconsistent.
• This narrows the issue to the ink system rather than software.

 

Step 3: Try Cleaning via HP App Maintenance Tools

• Open the HP App on your PC or mobile device.
• Go to Support → Troubleshooting → Diagnose & Fix.
• Run the scan and apply any suggested fixes.
• This bypasses the manual cleaning command and can sometimes trigger a recovery routine.

 

Step 4: Use Different Cartridges if Available

• If you have a spare set of cartridges, install them temporarily.
• A faulty cartridge can cause both banding and cleaning cycle hangs.
• Testing with another set helps confirm whether the issue is cartridge‑related or internal.

 

Step 5: Firmware Check via HP Easy Start

• Download HP Easy Start from the driver page: HP ENVY Inspire 7220e Drivers.
• Run the installer and select Update Firmware only.
• Even if the updater reports no new version, this ensures the firmware is correctly applied.

 

Step 6: Observe Behavior

• If cleaning still hangs and diagnostics continue to show missing lines, the issue lies in the ink delivery system (printhead or controller).
• Since alignment works but cleaning does not, the controller may be failing to execute maintenance cycles.

By carefully reseating cartridges, running diagnostics through the HP App, and testing with another set of cartridges if possible, you’ll be able to confirm whether the problem is cartridge‑related or internal to the printer. 

Given how new your printer is, these steps will help you decide confidently before considering replacement.

Regards,

Hawks_Eye