I have an HP office jet pro 8600. I can print but not copy well

[greenmonkey33]

I have an HP office jet pro 8600. I am able to print without any problems. I can scan a  document into the pc. My problem is copying. Anything i copy comes out smudged with thick dark lines running vertically. I can copy from the glass or feed it from above but the result is the same

[Hawks_Eye]

@greenmonkey33,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It sounds like your HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 has an issue with its scanner or copy function, likely caused by dirty scanner glass, failing scan components, or firmware/software issues. Since both the flatbed scanner and automatic document feeder (ADF) produce the same dark smudges and vertical lines, follow these steps to troubleshoot.

Clean the Scanner Glass & ADF

• Turn off and unplug the printer.
• Open the scanner lid and clean the entire glass surface with a lint-free cloth and glass cleaner (or a slightly damp cloth).
• Locate the narrow strip of glass (if your model has one) next to the main scanning glass. This is used for ADF scanning. Clean this strip thoroughly.
• Check for smudges, dust, or ink residue that could be affecting copies.
• Clean the white underside of the scanner lid as well.
• Let everything dry, then plug in the printer and try copying again.

Update Printer Firmware

• Go to HP’s support website and check if there is a firmware update available for your OfficeJet Pro 8600.
• Install any updates and restart the printer.

Perform a Copy Quality Calibration

• On the printer's control panel, go to:
  Setup > Tools > Copy Quality Calibration (or a similar option).
• Run the calibration and test copying again.

Check for Hardware Issues

If the issue persists:

• Try scanning a document from the HP Smart app and check if it appears normal on your PC.
  • If scanning is fine but copying is bad, the issue is likely software-related.
  • If scanning also has dark lines, the scanner hardware might be faulty.
• If the problem is only with copying, perform a factory reset on the printer.

Perform a Factory Reset (Last Resort)

• Go to Setup > Printer Maintenance > Restore Defaults.
• Confirm the reset, then set up the printer again and test copying.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Hawks_Eye

HP Support