Issues printing photos

[AF40]

HP envy 7858.

I got this from costco, and have not been able to have consistent printing quality.  I don't use it very often, and the black cartridge needed to be released after only a couple months (thought in the diagnostics it showed it was full).  Now I am trying to print a phot and it isn't printing in color- though that cartridge is over 1/2 full.  I saw that other people had similar problems and though I am happy to do a hard reset, I don't think it makes sense so have to one everytime I want to print something.  Can someone please provide some assistance? thank you.

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@AF40 

Welcome to the HP User Community.

If you have not done so,

Update the Printer Firmware

HP ENVY Photo 7800 All-in-One Printer series Firmware Update 

What else?

The problem might be as simple as you are not using the printer often enough and the ink is drying out.

Ink will do that when left alone and not used.

If you are switching OFF the printer, this makes things worse because the printer cannot run its self-maintenance cycles.

No need to object.

I am not saying this is the reason,

I am saying this is a possible cause of the continuing problems.

InkJet Printers need to be used regularly to work properly.

What else?

If the color ink is the original that came in the printer, it might need to be replaced for similar reasons (lack of use).

I have an Envy Photo 7855 - the little beast wants the ink to be just so and it wants to be left "on" so it is able to run it's maintenance cycles.

References / Resources

Update the firmware on an HP printer 

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HP ENVY Photo 7858 All-in-One Printer 

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[AF40]

Thank you for such a detailed explanation.  I actually uninstalled an reinstalled everything to no avail (hopefully I installed it back correctly), finally gave in and changed out the cartridge and it worked!  I think you might be right, and i just need to print a test page everyonce in a while to keep the ink cartridge working.  Do I have to set it up to run maintenance cycles so this doesn't happen (i.e. should I expect it to run a random test page every once in a while?)  Thank you!

[Dragon-Fur]

@AF40 

You are welcome.

I don't use my 7855 often - but I do leave it switched on.

Yes, too, it is time to change the cartridges.  Smiling.

Presumably leaving the printer "on" (and letting it sleep) allows it to run any internal maintenance it needs.

I think printing an occasional test (random) page is best since it actually uses the entire ink system.

Even scanning something you leave on the flatbed wakes up the printer and maybe helps to keep it happy.

True, scanning is not printing but it does use at least part of the mechanics.

"Smart" money is on printing about once a week, if you can remember to do so.

Sure, if you have the skill set, you could schedule a task to print a test file every so often - this is not something I've bothered to do so I don't have an example.

The "folksy" sounding advice is simply a result of "how I do it" and not any kind of official "directions for use".

Spring is already here where I live - hopefully,. it will get to your area, too.

Happy Printing.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Helpful = Yes to say Thanks!

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[10SNE1]

Dear Dragon Fur, you seem to be the HP guru.  I just bought the Photo Envy 7855.  I just tried printing a 4x6 photo using the HP app.  There is no option to print borderless.  And, worse, the short edge of the photo has an additional 1/2" white border.  The remaining borders are about 1/8".  I've tried every trick I know to fix this, but no luck.  Any ideas?