Print is illegible; print and scan doctor does not see the problem

[Jill40]

There was no warning, no error messages or blinking lights.  Just suddenly I am getting such poor quality in printing that Pages are illegible "mumbo jumbo" .  I really don't know how to describe it.  My ink cartridges are all full; printhead cleaning did not help at all. Any ideas?

[Jay_G24]

Hi @Jill40,

I'd like to help!

I understand that the printer prints "Unexpected Text"

Try the below suggestions -

Step 1: Cancel the print job

Cancel the print job before performing a printer reset.

1. In Windows, search for and open Control Panel.

2. Under Hardware and Sound, click View devices and printers.

3. Double-click the printer icon, and then double-click See What's Printing.

   The print queue opens.

4. Click the print job you want to cancel, and then click Document.

5. Click Cancel, and then click Yes to confirm the selection.

   NOTE: 

   If the lights on the printer continue to blink after you cancel the print job, the computer is still sending the job to the printer. Either delete the job from the print queue or wait until the computer finishes sending information. The printer returns to its ready state.

Continue to the next step.

Step 2: Reset the printer

Resetting the printer can often resolve printing issues.

1. With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the printer.

2. Unplug the power cord from the power source.

3. Wait 60 seconds.

4. Reconnect the power cord to a wall outlet and to the printer.

   NOTE: 

   HP recommends plugging the printer directly into a wall outlet.

Try to print. If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

Step 3: Download and run HP Print and Scan Doctor

Download and run HP Print and Scan Doctor to automatically identify and resolve the issue.

Try to print. If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

Step 4: Print from another program

Print from a software application other than the one where the issue occurs to make sure the issue is not related to specific software.

1. Open any software application other than the software where the issue occurs. For example, if you used image viewing software when the issue occurred, try opening a word processing software application such as Microsoft Word.

2. Open a file in the new software, or create a new file for this step.

3. Print the file.

   • If the document in the alternate software prints successfully, do not continue troubleshooting. The software where the issue occurs might be the cause. Continue to print from different software, or contact the software manufacturer for help.

   • If the document in the alternate software also exhibits the garbled text issue, continue to the next step.

Step 5: Connect the printer directly to the computer

If your printer is connected to your computer over a network or through a USB hub, connect the printer directly to the computer with a USB cable.

1. If your printer is connected to a wireless network, turn off the wireless signal.

2. Disconnect any USB or Ethernet cables from the printer.

3. Restart the printer by turning the power off, and then back on.

4. Connect the USB cable directly from the printer to the computer.

You may refer to -Unexpected Text Prints (Windows)

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

And, Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

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