Ink not printing on paper

[thinton3]

I am wondering why my printer prints but it's not putting ink on the paper and is getting frustrating cuz I need to print stuff, do I need to get new cartridges? My ink levels show I am at about half full 

[zoey7886]

@thinton3, Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding print issue!  
We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution. 

It sounds like your printer is going through the motions of printing, but no ink is being deposited on the paper. Since your ink levels indicate that you still have about half left, try the following troubleshooting steps before replacing the cartridges:

1. Check for Clogged Printheads

Even if the ink levels are sufficient, dried or clogged printheads can prevent ink from reaching the paper.

• Open HP Smart or the printer software on your computer.
• Locate the "Printhead Cleaning" utility and run it.
• Print a test page to see if the issue improves.

2. Manually Clean the Printhead

• Turn off the printer and remove the ink cartridges.
• Gently wipe the printhead (where the ink comes out) with a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water.
• Let it dry completely before reinserting the cartridges.

3. Check the Ink Cartridges

• Remove the cartridges and make sure the plastic protective tape has been fully removed.
• Shake the cartridges gently and reinstall them properly.

4. Try a Different Print Quality Setting

• Go to Printer Properties → Print Preferences and change the print quality to Best or High instead of Normal/Draft mode.

5. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

• Go to HP’s official website and download the latest drivers for your printer model.
• Uninstall the current drivers from your computer and reinstall the latest version.

 

[zoey7886]

6. Perform a Hard Reset

• Turn off the printer and unplug it for about 5 minutes.
• Plug it back in and restart.

7. Check for Firmware Updates

• HP releases firmware updates that can fix printing issues.
• Use HP Smart or visit HP's support website to check for updates.

8. Test with a Different Paper Type

• Sometimes, incorrect paper settings can cause ink not to adhere properly. Try a different paper type and ensure the settings match.

If the issue persists after all these steps, the cartridges may indeed need to be replaced, even if they show ink remaining. Over time, cartridges can dry out or become defective.

Let me know if you need help with any of these steps! 🚀

Take care, and have an amazing day! 
 

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Regards,