Print quality is appalling despite following all instructions!

[Bookworm4764]

I had a warning to replace the black cartridge with new Instant Ink, so did. (Colour still about 20% remaining). Alignment page prints without any black and colours very faded. Also got error messages saying Alignment page couldn't be detected when trying to scan as per the routine. Eventually accepted it and said ready to go. Colours still very faded and no black ink on page - when printing a black and white email the page is completely blank! Have now replaced colour cartridge too, and started over but problems remain the same. Have also tried printhead cleaning twice but not resolved. Of course my warranty expired at the end of last month....... if anyone could please help sort this out with some suggestions, I'd be very grateful!

[Kumar0307]

@Bookworm4764, Welcome to the HP Support Community!

I understand the print quality is not satisfactory. After replacing the color ink cartridge, are the color prints fine?

Have you tried using another/new black ink cartridge to check if that helps?

Try making a standalone copy in color and black to check if that works. By this, we can conclude if this is a hardware or a driver issue.

Make sure you have tried the steps mentioned in this document - Black or Color Ink Not Printing, Other Print Quality Issues

If the issue persists, please send us a private message with your Instant Ink account details or you may also respond to the private message I've sent out and I'll help you out, accordingly. Check next to your profile name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

Please click “Accept as 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!

Have a great day! 

[Bookworm4764]

Hello Kumar. Colour was printing but very faded, black was streaky or not there at all. I had previously changed the black cartridge, but the colour was showing as still having some ink and I hadn't had a 'low ink' warning. I did change that as well, when it wasn't working as normal, in case there was an issue with it. Still awful. I've tried your 'uninstall' suggestion and it seems to be a lot better - colours more vibrant, black is a lot better generally, but there are small areas that are still 'smudged', despite running the Cartridge Clean and Advanced Clean cycles. I've tried downloading new driver updates, and also restarting my laptop... I've just tried printing a screenshot from my phone (Samsung Galaxy A3 Android using version 6.0.1, in case that's relevant?!) and it's perfect!! So I tried printing one of the documents I was having issues with on the laptop, from my phone, and that's perfect too! No smudges anywhere.... I wondered if it could really be different when printing from one device or the other, or whether it's just more likely that the print heads have now got rid of whatever was in the way and they'll be ok from both now?! So tried again printing doc from laptop and still smudged in the same place - even tried new paper to make sure it wasn't just fingerprints! Suggestions please?!

[Kumar0307 · Accepted solution]

@Bookworm4764

Glad to know that you have resolved the issue. It seems like the ink nozzles would be blocked and now it is cleared. Feel free to write to me if you have any other issues with the printer.

Keep me posted.

[Bookworm4764]

Many thanks!

[Kumar0307]

@Bookworm4764

You are welcome. Keep me posted for any other assistance.

Happy to help!