Print quality

Stacks125 · ‎02-28-2026

trying to fix this issue envy 4520

Kuroi_Kenshi · ‎03-02-2026

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

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

I understand your HP Envy 4520 print quality issue. Let’s go through a few checks.

To fix print quality issues (such as streaks, faded colors, or blurry, low-resolution output) on your HP Envy 4520, start by cleaning the printheads and aligning the cartridges.

1. Print a Quality Diagnostic Report

Load plain white paper in the tray.
On the printer control panel, swipe left and touch Setup (
Touch Print Quality Report.
Review the report for streaks, faded areas, or missing colors.

2. Clean the Printheads (From Printer Display)

If the report shows issues, go back to Tools and select Clean Printhead or Clean Cartridges.
The printer will print a test page. Check this page. If it is still poor, perform a second or third cleaning.
Note: If printheads are heavily clogged, wait 30 minutes to an hour after cleaning before trying to print again, as this allows ink to soak.

3. Align the Printer

In the Tools menu, select Align Printer.
An alignment page will print. Follow the on-screen instructions to scan the page if prompted, or simply allow the printer to complete the process.

4. Check Ink Levels and Cartridges

Check for low or empty cartridges.
Ensure you are using genuine HP cartridges. Non-HP or refilled cartridges can cause poor print quality.
Ensure the orange protective tape has been removed from the cartridges.

5. Clean Ink Smears (For Smeared Prints)

If the ink is smearing on the paper, go to the Tools menu and select Clean Ink Smear or Clean Smear.

6. Adjust Print Settings (For Better Photo/Document Quality)

In your print dialog box on the computer, ensure the paper type is set correctly (e.g."Photo Paper" or "Cardstock") and the quality is set to Best or High Quality instead of "Draft" or "Normal".

7. Run Printer Head Cleaning from PC

If the above fails, use the HP Smart app on your computer.
Go to Tools > Print Quality Tools > Clean Printhead.

Please refer to the following document for further assistance.

https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/ish_6489162-6496661-16#:~:text=Clean%20the%20printhead%20(HP%2...

I hope this helps.

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Kuroi_Kenshi · ‎03-02-2026