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- Printers
- Printer Ink Cartridges & Print Quality
- How to print on hp photo paper

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Check out our Black or Color Ink Not Printing, Other Print Quality Issues info about: Print quality and Cartridge Issues.
1 REPLY 1
04-14-2025 07:10 AM
Hi @Kris0226
Welcome to the HP Support Community!
Thanks for posting your query! We're here to help you get back up and running.
It sounds like you're facing a frustrating issue with smeared ink and incorrect colors when printing on HP photo paper. Here are some steps to help resolve this:
1. Check Paper Type and Settings
- Ensure you're using genuine HP photo paper and loading it correctly (glossy side facing up).
- In the print settings, select Photo Paper as the paper type and choose the appropriate quality setting (e.g., Best or High Quality).
2. Clean the Printhead
- On your printer's control panel, navigate to Settings > Printer Maintenance > Clean Printhead.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to perform a cleaning cycle. This can help remove clogs that cause smearing.
3. Align the Printhead
- Go to Settings > Printer Maintenance > Align Printer.
- Run the alignment process to ensure the printhead is properly calibrated.
4. Check Ink Levels
- Verify that the ink cartridges are not low or empty. Replace any cartridges that are running out of ink.
- Use genuine HP ink cartridges for optimal performance.
5. Update Printer Firmware
- Update the firmware on an HP printer | HP® Support
- Install any available updates to ensure compatibility with photo printing.
6. Test with Different Paper
- If the issue persists, try using a different batch of photo paper to rule out paper defects.
Let me know how these steps work for you or if you need further assistance! 😊
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
I am an HP Employee.
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!
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!
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