OfficeJet 8015e poor print quality

[AirbusDriver1]

Any colour printing results in poor print quality. Completed many head cleaning processes with no improvement. Quality printout is normal. Cartridges changed (genuine HP). Any ideas how to resolve this, or do I need a new printer?

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @AirbusDriver1,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

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

Thank you for contacting HP Support. We understand you are experiencing poor color print quality with your HP OfficeJet 8015e on macOS Big Sur, despite multiple printhead cleanings and using genuine HP ink cartridges.

We appreciate your efforts so far and would be happy to assist further.

Next Recommended Steps

1. Print Quality Diagnostic Page

Let’s first determine which color(s) are misfiring:

• On the printer control panel:
  Go to Setup > Reports > Print Quality Report
• Review the printed page to check for missing lines, color distortion, or streaking.

If the diagnostic shows faded or missing colors, this points to a possible hardware-level printhead issue.

2. Manually Clean the Printhead (If Removable)

If your model has a removable printhead (some 8010 series do), perform a manual clean:

• Turn off the printer and unplug it
• Remove cartridges carefully
• Gently clean the printhead nozzles with a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water
• Allow to dry, reinstall everything, and run a cleaning cycle again

⚠️ Note: Only attempt this if you are comfortable; otherwise, we recommend HP servicing it.

3. Check for Driver Conflicts (macOS Specific)

macOS 11 (Big Sur) has known compatibility issues with older printer drivers. Let's ensure your HP driver is correctly installed:

• Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners
• Select your printer and click the minus (–) button to remove it
• Re-add the printer by clicking the plus (+), but be sure to select the driver labeled “HP OfficeJet 8010 Series”, not “AirPrint” if available

4. Update Printer Firmware

An outdated firmware can lead to persistent print quality issues.

• Download and run HP Smart for macOS, or visit the HP website and search for firmware specific to your model
• Follow instructions to update if available

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, as it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

VikramTheGreat

HP Support