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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printer Ink Cartridges & Print Quality
- Overlap printing

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08-20-2024 11:47 AM
Hi @KasparsK,
Welcome to HP Support Community.
Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.
Overlap printing on photo prints usually happens due to issues with printer settings, drivers, or paper alignment. Here are a few things you can check.
- Paper Size and Type: Ensure that the paper size and type selected in the printer settings match the paper you're using. Mismatched settings can cause overlapping or misaligned prints.
- Printer Driver: Make sure you have the latest printer driver installed. Outdated or incorrect drivers can cause printing issues. You can download the latest drivers from the HP website.
- Print Settings: Check the print settings in the software you're using to print. Ensure that you haven’t accidentally selected options like "borderless printing" or "fit to page" that could cause overlap.
- Print Head Alignment: Perform a print head alignment. Misaligned print heads can cause overlapping prints. This can usually be done through the printer's maintenance menu.
- Firmware Update: Check if there’s a firmware update available for your printer. Sometimes, updates can resolve printing issues.
- Paper Quality: Poor quality or wrinkled paper can sometimes cause printing issues. Make sure you’re using high-quality photo paper and that it’s loaded correctly in the tray.
I hope this helps.
Take care and have a good day.
Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!
Alden4
HP Support
HP Support Community Moderator
08-22-2024 05:26 AM
Hi! All these are standard steps, which i can find everywhere and perform by myself. Its like give advice to restart computer and that's solve a problem.
Firmware are up to date.
Paper are standard HP printer paper
I have new printer only one months off use, drivers are installed from automatic setup.
Print heads not shown any misalignment.
Any real advice?
08-22-2024 11:22 AM
Hi @KasparsK,
Thank you for your response,
Let's explore some more advanced possibilities that could address this overlap printing problem.
Check Printer Settings:
Print Quality Settings:
- Sometimes overlap can be due to print speed settings. Try switching the quality to "Best" or "Normal" in your print dialog and test for changes.
- On your PC, go to Devices and Printers > Right-click your HP printer > Printer Preferences and change the quality setting.
Paper Type Settings:
- Make sure the paper type setting matches the paper you are using. Incorrect paper type settings can cause the ink to misbehave and result in overlap.
- Access this through the print dialog on your computer and select the correct paper type (e.g., "Plain Paper" or "HP Inkjet Paper").
Reset Printer's Calibration:
- Even though the print heads don’t show misalignment, there could be a minor issue with calibration. Try performing a factory reset on the printer, then re-calibrate.
- Go to Settings > Tools > Printer Maintenance > Calibrate Scanner and Printhead Alignment.
Print Queue Management:
- Sometimes, overlap printing can be caused by issues with the print spooler or queue. Clear the print queue, then restart the spooler service:
- Type services.msc in the Windows search bar and open it.
- Scroll down to Print Spooler, right-click, and select Restart.
- Retry printing after clearing any pending jobs.
Driver Issues:
- Even though you've installed drivers automatically, there may be specific updates or patches available on the HP website for your printer model that address this issue.
- Download the latest version of the HP Print and Scan Doctor tool from the HP support website to detect and fix driver-specific issues.
Check the Print Margins:
- Ensure that your document’s print margins are properly set. Sometimes, if the margins are too narrow, the printer can struggle to manage the print space, causing overlapping.
- Adjust the margins from the page setup dialog box of your software (Word, PDF viewer, etc.) and see if this resolves the problem.
HP Support Community Moderator
08-22-2024 11:22 AM
Cartridge Problems:
- Though the printer heads seem fine, there could be a cartridge issue causing ink misplacement. Try removing and re-seating the ink cartridges to ensure proper contact.
- If possible, try printing with a different set of ink cartridges to rule out cartridge-related issues.
Printer Network/Connection Issues:
- If your printer is connected over Wi-Fi, sometimes poor network connectivity or wireless interference can cause print data to become garbled, resulting in overlapping or distorted prints.
- Try connecting via USB or Ethernet and test the prints.
I hope this helps.
Take care and have a good day.
Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!
Alden4
HP Support
HP Support Community Moderator