Print Quality

[Daisy39]

We recently changed the yellow ink cartridge (HP ink cartridges). The print is fine when when printing something directly from the computer and also when putting the page to be copied under the cover on the glass. However, when the page to be copied is inserted through the ADF tray we get yellow patches of color on the copied page. These patches of yellow color are random. There are always patches of yellow on the first page that is copied, less on the second page - and then clean copies. What is going on?  I've reinserted the yellow cartridge.  That didn't seem to help.

[Bob_Headrick]

There are a few things to check regarding copy or scan quality when using the ADF.  The glass used for the ADF scanner is the thin (about 1" wide) strip of glass to the left of the main glass bed.  I would suggest cleaning this area well as dust or debris here may cause issues when using the ADF.  The area to clean is shown as (3) in the picture below:

If this does not resolve the issue there are a few other things to check.  If you scan a page (instead of copy) from the ADF does the image have the yellow blotches as well?  It may help diagnosis if you could scan a page showing the defect and post the scan here - use the camera icon in the toolbox here when posting a reply to include an image.

[Daisy39]

Cleaning the printer glass and that little strip did not help.  Here are samples of what these yellow patches look like.  This happens even when we print from the computer - and now even when the document to be printed is placed directly one the glass and not fed through the ADF tray.  It only happens with the yellow ink.  I tried putting in a new yellow print cartridge, but that didn't help.  Sure hope you have a solution.  This is an older printer.  We also have a newer one we use for office printing.  (We have a home office for our business.)  This has been a good trusty printer - until now.

Joan

[Bob_Headrick · Accepted solution]

[I asked the moderator to remove the images, they were useful in showing the issue but have too much personal information.  I cropped the image and posted it below so others may see what things looked like.]

The issue you show looks like a printhead failure.  It may be possible to recover this as follows: 

• Supplies:  distilled water, lint free wipes (clean coffee filters work well for this), paper towels.
• Open the printer and remove the cartridges and set them aside
• Get a pan and put a few layers of papper towels in the bottom.  Fill the pan to about 3" with hot distilled water.  (Do not use tap water or drinking water, it may have contaminants.)
• Remove the printhead from the printer by following the steps in Step 1 of the document here. Heed the warnings about handling the printhead gently, it is fragile (especially the nozzle area on the bottom of the assembly.
• Gently swish the printhead assembly in the pan of hot water for a few minutes.  Be careful not to hit the edges of the pan.  If there is ink in the area with the gold contacts on the back carefully clean this with the lint free wipes.
• Remove the printhead from the water and gently shake off any excess water over the sink. Be careful to not get ink on your clothes.
• Gently blot dry the electrical contacts with a dry wipe.  Do not touch the nozzle area at the bottom of the printhead.
• Replace the printhead in the printer and replace the ink cartridges in the printhead assembly.
• From the front panel go to the Right Arrow,  Setup, Tools and touch Clean Printhead.  Please scan and post the resulting page.

If the following does not resolve the issue you may need to order a new printhead.  They are rather expensive, but keep in mind the printhead replacement assembly you get will also include a set of print cartridges, this is about $100 of ink.