Printer not printing sharp text

[DARDebbie]

Text is smudgy in certain areas of the page

[Sneha_01]

Hi @DARDebbie,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

If your printer is producing smudgy or blurry text, this can be due to several factors, including issues with the print quality settings, cartridge problems, or even hardware issues. Here’s a step-by-step guide to troubleshoot and fix the issue:

1. Check and Adjust Print Quality Settings

Access Print Settings:

• Open the document or image you want to print.
• Go to the Print dialog box and select your printer.

Select Print Quality:

• Click on Properties, Preferences, or Printer Properties (the exact option may vary).
• Look for Quality Settings or Print Quality and set it to High or Best quality.

Use Printer’s Software:

• Some printers come with dedicated software for adjusting print settings. Use this software to ensure that the print quality is set to high.

2. Clean Print Cartridges and Printhead

Clean Printhead:

Most printers have a built-in utility to clean the printhead. This can often be found in the printer’s maintenance menu.

For HP Printers:

• On the printer’s control panel, go to Setup > Tools > Clean Printhead. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Manually Clean Cartridges:

• Turn off the printer and open the cartridge access door.
• Remove the ink cartridges and gently clean the contacts on the cartridges and inside the printer with a lint-free cloth. Avoid using any liquids.

3. Check and Replace Cartridges

Inspect Cartridges:

• Check if the ink cartridges are low or empty. Replace any cartridges that are running low or empty.

Replace Cartridges:

• If the cartridges are damaged or not functioning properly, replace them with new, genuine cartridges.

4. Align the Printhead

• Run Printhead Alignment:

Most printers have a utility for aligning the printhead. This helps ensure that the printhead is correctly aligned for optimal print quality.

For HP Printers:

• Go to Setup > Tools > Align Printer or Align Printhead.

5. Check Paper Quality

Use High-Quality Paper:

• Ensure that you are using the correct type of paper for your printer. Low-quality or incorrect paper can affect print quality.

Paper Type Settings:

• Make sure the paper type settings in the printer’s software match the type of paper you are using.

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