New black print cartridge and now the printer is printing everything with black blocks above each

[VW07]

I have installed a new black cartridge, the first print page printed perfectly - then when I printed a word document it printed each line with a black box above each word on every line.  I have turned it off and reset, I have taken the cartridge out and put back in, nothing works.   Would appreciate if anyone has any ideas for this issue. 

[Raj_05]

Hi @VW07,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It sounds like there might be an issue with the alignment or calibration of the printer, particularly with the black cartridge. Here are a few steps you can try to troubleshoot the problem.

• Check Cartridge Installation: Make sure the black cartridge is installed correctly and securely. Sometimes, a loose connection can cause printing issues.
• Clean Cartridge and Printer Contacts: Use a lint-free cloth lightly moistened with water to gently clean the contacts on both the cartridge and inside the printer. Dust or debris on these contacts can interfere with proper communication.
• Alignment and Calibration: Many printers have alignment and calibration features that ensure the print heads are properly aligned. Check your printer's manual or settings menu to see if there's an option to run alignment or calibration.
• Update Printer Drivers: Ensure that you have the latest drivers and firmware installed for your printer. Sometimes, outdated drivers can cause printing issues.
• Print Quality Settings: Check the print quality settings in your word processing software. Sometimes, setting the quality too high can cause issues like excessive ink usage or smudging.
• Try a Different Document: If the issue only occurs with one specific document, try printing a different document to see if the problem persists. This can help determine if the issue is with the printer or the document itself.
• Reset Printer Settings: If none of the above steps work, you can try resetting the printer to its factory default settings. Refer to your printer's manual for instructions on how to do this.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support