Printer going through ink quickly

[Orod2326]

I have an HP desk jet 3722 that’s been going through black ink quickly. Usually after 20 ish pages. We thought it was maybe a faulty cartridge so we got another, but ended up with the same issue. I noticed a black streak (see picture) inside where it prints, not sure how normal that is. Trying to see if it’s a printer alignment issue or something else. Any suggestions would be great. 

 

[Max3Aj]

Hi there @Orod2326, and welcome to HP Support Community!

Thank you for reaching out with your concern. I'm glad to assist you today.

I understand you're experiencing unusually fast black ink consumption on your HP DeskJet 3722, even after replacing the cartridge. Let's go through a few steps to help identify and resolve the issue.

Check for Ink Leaks or Smearing

You mentioned seeing a black streak inside the printer. This could indicate excess ink or a leak. Please do the following:

• Open the printer access door and inspect the cartridge area for any ink buildup or smudges.
• Use a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water to gently clean any visible ink residue.

Run the Printer Cleaning Utility

Sometimes, clogged nozzles or misaligned cartridges can cause excessive ink usage.

• Open the HP Smart app or go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
• Right-click your printer > Printing Preferences > Maintenance tab.
• Run Print Head Cleaning and Align Printhead.

Check Print Settings

High-quality or photo printing settings use more ink. Make sure you're printing in Draft or Normal mode for everyday documents:

• In the print dialog, click Properties or Preferences.
• Under Quality Settings, select Draft or Economy Mode.

Update Printer Firmware

Outdated firmware can cause performance issues, including ink usage anomalies.

• Download and install the latest firmware from HP support page: Update the firmware on an HP printer | HP® Support

Use Genuine HP Cartridges

Ensure you're using genuine HP ink cartridges. Counterfeit or refilled cartridges may cause excessive ink usage or leaks. You can verify your cartridge here: HP anti-counterfeit | HP® Official Site

Print Diagnostic Page

This helps identify any hardware or ink issues.

• Press and hold the Power button, then press the Cancel button three times.
• Release the Power button. A diagnostic page should print.
• Check for streaks, missing lines, or uneven print quality.

HP DeskJet 3700 printers - No black ink, wrong colors, other print quality issues | HP® Support

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Take care and happy computing!

Best regards,

Max3Aj

HP Support