Printer Not Printing At All

[Margo1]

Hi. I am not able to print or copy any pages with my printer. I connect the printer cable to my PC (I don't connect the printer to my WiFi).

I started a print job and a page did print but there were white lines through some of the print and other print was very light. When I tried printing again, nothing printed . I tried printing several times, and all  I got were blank pages. I tried the following solutions:

1) I cleaned the print head and still got a blank page.

2) I tried correcting the alignment function through the HP Smart app, but the page during Step 1 did not print.

3) I shut the printer off and disconnected it for 30 seconds and turned it back on. It still didn't print.

4) The ink level was fine and the there is enough paper in the tray although I have to pull out and push back in the tray due to the printer claiming there is not enough paper in the tray.

5) I tried restoring to factory default, but after turning on the printer the resume button didn't light, so I couldn't reset.

6) I removed the cable from the PC and placed it in another port.

I tested the copy capability, and the page did not print either.

I do hear a sound when the printer moves back and forth, as if a printer component is having a hard time moving.

I don't get any error codes.

Can anyone give me any more suggestions? I am wondering if there is something wrong with the hardware.

Thanks.

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Margo1,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It sounds like you’ve already tried several effective troubleshooting steps for your printer. Given the symptoms you described, including the sound of a component struggling to move, there may be a hardware issue. However, here are some additional steps you can take to further diagnose and potentially resolve the problem:

1. Check for Obstructions

• Inspect the Inside: Open the printer and carefully look for any jammed paper or foreign objects that might be blocking the print head’s movement.
• Check the Print Head: Ensure the print head is not stuck and moves freely along its path.

2. Inspect Ink Cartridges

• Remove and Reseat: Take out the ink cartridges and reseat them to ensure they are making proper contact.
• Check for Damage: Look for any signs of leaking or damage to the cartridges.

3. Perform a Manual Print Head Cleaning

• If your printer allows for manual cleaning:
  1. Dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water.
  2. Gently clean the print head contacts and the area around it to remove any dried ink.

4. Test Without the Computer

• Direct Printing: If your printer has a direct print option (like printing from a USB drive), try that to see if it can print without the PC.

5. Check Printer Connections

• USB Cable: Ensure the USB cable is securely connected to both the printer and the computer. Try using a different cable if available.
• Ports: Connect the printer to a different USB port on your computer to rule out port issues.

6. Try Different Print Settings

• Draft Mode: Try printing in draft mode (if available) to see if that changes the outcome.
• Change Color Settings: If you’re printing in color, switch to grayscale or black and white to see if that works.

7. Update Drivers

• Ensure you have the latest drivers for your printer installed. You can find these on the HP website.

8. Check for Printer Hardware Issues

• Listen for Unusual Noises: If you hear grinding or unusual sounds, it could indicate a hardware malfunction, such as a failing motor or gear.
• Check for Overheating: If the printer feels excessively hot, allow it to cool down before trying again.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support

[Margo1]

Thank you for all the information. I will test these ideas and see if any of them is the cause of the problem.

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Margo1,

Please feel free to reply to us and we will be more than happy to help you.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Take care and have a great day ahead!

Rachel571 

HP Support

[Margo1]

I have tried almost all of the above options that I can, including updating the driver. Nothing is working. The printer continues to print blank pages. I even connected to my WiFi and used the HP Smart app to print, yet I only get blank pages. 

I tried scanning a document, and the printer won't even scan.

Is there any advice you can give me? Can something be loose inside the printer? Should I uninstall and reinstall the printer?

Thanks.

[Margo1]

I forgot to mention that while the printer is printing blank pages, my black ink continues to be depleted.

[Margo1]

I finally got the printer going! It was dry black ink that was causing the printer not to print at all. I didn't think that there was a problem with the ink because the HP Smart app showed that the ink level was fine. I will remember this in the future.