Print quality very poor - scanned/copied prints are ok

[JeBE29]

Hi

when I print something in colour the quality is very poor with pink/orange lines and all colours don't resemble the original colour. However when I scan or copy the quality and all colours are good.

I have tried everything that's been advised like cleaning, aligning, etc.

Losing my confidence in HP.

[Sneha_01]

Hi @JeBE29 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds frustrating to deal with poor print quality while your scanned and copied documents are fine. Since the scanning and copying functions are working correctly, but the printing quality is poor (with colors not displaying correctly and odd lines), it indicates a possible issue with the printhead, ink cartridges, or the printer's communication with the computer. Let's go through a series of steps to resolve this.

1. Check Ink Levels and Cartridges

• Ensure that the ink cartridges have enough ink, especially the color cartridges. If any are low or empty, replace them.
• Check if the ink cartridges are properly installed. Sometimes, they can be slightly misaligned, which affects print quality.

2. Perform a Printhead Cleaning and Alignment

• You've already tried cleaning and aligning the printer, but it may help to repeat the cleaning and alignment, as sometimes the issue can persist even after the first attempt.
• To clean the printhead:
  1. Go to Settings > Printers and Scanners on your computer (or use the HP Smart app).
  2. Select your printer, then find the option for cleaning the printhead.
  3. Choose Deep Cleaning if available (for more stubborn blockages).
• Once the cleaning is done, perform a printhead alignment to ensure the colors are properly aligned.

3. Check Print Quality Settings

• Sometimes, print quality is affected by the settings selected in the print dialog. Ensure you’ve selected the highest quality print mode:
  1. When you go to print a document, make sure you select Best or High Quality under print settings.
  2. You can adjust these settings in the Print Dialog box that appears before printing.

4. Inspect the Printhead

• If your printer uses separate ink cartridges for each color, the printhead could be clogged, or it might need to be replaced. Although cleaning the printhead usually fixes it, in some cases, the printhead could be faulty, leading to poor print quality.
• Manual cleaning: If you're comfortable with it, you could remove the ink cartridges and gently clean the printhead using a soft lint-free cloth with a little water or isopropyl alcohol. Be careful not to damage it.

5. Update Printer Drivers

• Outdated printer drivers can sometimes cause issues with print quality. Make sure your printer driver is up to date:
  1. Go to the HP support website and download the latest driver for your printer model.
  2. Install the driver and restart your computer.

I hope this helps.

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