Poor print quality on S-Mart tank 515.

[Rico2025]

I have a poor print quality on my printer. I have already make the cleaning and aligning several times, but the fail remains. The virtual assistant is a joke.

Help!

[zoey7886]

@Rico2025, Welcome to the HP Support Community!  

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding poor print quality! 

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.  

I understand how frustrating poor print quality can be, especially after multiple cleanings and alignments. Let's go through some additional troubleshooting steps to fix the issue.

Check Ink Levels

1. Open the HP Smart app or printer control panel to check ink levels.
2. If any ink tank is low, refill it with genuine HP ink.

Check Printhead Condition

1. Turn off the printer and open the printhead access area.
2. Check for dried or clogged nozzles.
3. If you see dried ink, gently clean the printhead contacts with a lint-free cloth and distilled water.
4. Let it dry completely before reinstalling.

Perform a Printhead Deep Cleaning

Since standard cleaning didn’t help, try a deep cleaning:

1. Open the HP Smart app or HP Printer Assistant (Windows).
2. Go to Printer Maintenance > Deep Printhead Cleaning.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions and print a test page.

If the issue persists, move to the next step.

Print a Diagnostic Page

1. Load plain paper into the printer.
2. Press and hold the Resume (🔄) button for 3-5 seconds to print a Print Quality Report.
3. Check for faded, streaked, or missing colors.

• If colors are missing, there may be air bubbles in the ink lines or a faulty printhead.
• If streaks appear, the paper type or print settings might be incorrect.

Use the Correct Paper and Print Settings

1. Use high-quality, HP-recommended paper for best results.
2. In Print Preferences, ensure the following:
   • Paper Type: Match the actual paper (e.g., Plain Paper, Photo Paper).
   • Print Quality: Set to Best or Normal (avoid Draft mode for important prints).
   • Grayscale Printing: If enabled, disable it for color prints.

Reset the Printer

1. Turn off the printer.
2. Unplug the power cable and wait 60 seconds.
3. Reconnect the power cable and turn the printer back on.
4. Print a test page.  

Hope this helps!

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, Please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!  

Regards,