Printing blank pages, if printing anything at all

[elliott_eoghan]

This printer is about a month old. When I began using it, it would give me error messages every time I tried to print, so I would cancel the printing job, and 1-2 hours later, it would randomly print it out. This is whether I was connected via my wifi or via the printer's wifi direct network. Within the past two weeks, it has stopped doing even this. It prints when I send a job, but it only prints blank pages (and often grabs 3-4 pages instead of 1 at a time). The diagnostic page prints out fine and I have ink. I tried HP Smart Diagnose and Fix, which said everything was working correctly. I have power cycled it multiple times. I made sure my laptop was fully updated including the most recent drivers for the printer, and also tried from my iphone in case it was a problem with my device. Nothing changes. Not sure what to do at this point other than buy a new printer, which I'd rather not do.

[Max3Aj]

@elliott_eoghan, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

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

You've already covered a lot of the key troubleshooting steps. Since your HP DeskJet 2855e is only a month old and the issue has worsened over time, here's a focused approach to try and resolve it before considering a replacement:

Things You’ve Already Done (Well Done):

• Verified ink levels
• Updated drivers and firmware
• Tried printing from multiple devices (Windows 11 and iPhone)
• Used both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct
• Ran HP Smart Diagnose and Fix
• Power cycled the printer

Next Steps to Try:

Check Cartridges and Venting

• Remove both ink cartridges.
• Inspect the vents (tiny copper-colored contacts and small plastic vents on the cartridge top). Sometimes they get clogged. 
  If clogged or covered with protective tape, gently clean the vent with a lint-free cloth or soft brush. 
• Reinsert cartridges and try a cartridge alignment via the HP Smart app or printer control panel.

Perform a Manual Printhead Cleaning

Since the diagnostic page prints fine but normal prints don’t, a clogged or misaligned printhead could be at fault.

• Use HP Smart app > Printer Settings > Tools > Clean Printhead.
• Repeat this 2-3 times if needed (but not excessively — it uses ink).

Check Paper Settings

• If your print jobs are blank and multi-page pulls occur, it could be a mismatch between:
• Printer paper settings (e.g., media type or size)
• Actual loaded paper
• Make sure you're using plain A4/Letter and that the tray guides are snug.

Uninstall & Reinstall HP Software

Sometimes reinstalling fresh resolves deep driver conflicts:

• Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features, uninstall all HP-related software.
• Restart your computer.
• Download the latest HP Smart app and Full Software Solution from HP Support.
• Reconnect and test again.

Try Printing a Local PDF/Test File

• Save a small text PDF locally (not from a browser).
• Open with Adobe Reader and print.
• This helps rule out issues with print spooler or apps like browsers/Word.

If That Fails: Test with Embedded Web Server (EWS)

• Get printer’s IP address from the control panel or HP Smart.
• Type it into your browser to open the EWS (Embedded Web Server).
• Print a test page directly from there (if available).

Final Option: Factory Reset the Printer

• Disconnect power and USB cables.
• Press and hold Cancel + Wireless buttons together.
• While holding, plug the power back in.
• Release after 10 seconds or when printer lights flash.

This resets all internal settings and network configs — re-setup afterward using HP Smart.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Select "Yes" on the bottom left to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[elliott_eoghan]

I did each of these, including the factory reset. It will now print but only when using the HP Smart app, and the text is extremely light and hard to read on all documents. If I try to print from Word, Adobe Acrobat, or browser, it prints blank like before. Additionally, the HP Smart app tells me to finish printer setup, but that will not load when clicked. 

[Max3Aj]

@elliott_eoghan, Thanks for the update, this narrows things down significantly, and it's clear you're dealing with incomplete printer setup + print driver/config conflicts.

Here’s What This Likely Means:

Your HP DeskJet 2855e is:

Using the basic Microsoft IPP Class Driver or similar generic driver for print jobs outside HP Smart — which does not support full ink control, resulting in blank prints.

Still stuck in an incomplete setup loop, likely due to a connection issue. 

Please try these steps, 

Fix Driver/Print System Conflicts

Completely Remove All Existing Drivers

• Search Windows for “Print Management” (or open printmanagement.msc)
• Go to All Drivers > Right-click any HP driver > Remove
• Then: 
  Open Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners
  Remove every instance of your printer
• Restart your PC

Install the Full Feature Driver (NOT just HP Smart)

• Go to: HP DeskJet 2855e Software & Drivers
• Download “Full Software Solution”, not just HP Smart
• Install and choose “Wireless” setup
• If it asks you to finish setup or claim the printer, log in to your HP account

Open Devices and Printers > Set the HP DeskJet (NOT Class Driver) as Default

• Make sure you’re printing through the driver named HP DeskJet 2800 series, not HP DeskJet 2800 series Class Driver or IPP driver

Fix HP+ Setup Loop

HP+ printers must be activated via HP Smart to fully enable features like print quality, ink usage, and non-app printing.

If “Finish Setup” Still Fails to Load:

Try using HP Smart on your phone (Android/iPhone)

• Remove and re-add the printer.
• Try “Finish Setup” from the phone.
• Ensure your HP account is signed in and you're connected to the same network as the printer.

Sign out and back in from HP Smart

• HP Smart > Account icon > Sign out
• Sign back in and retry the setup completion.

Check Internet DNS Filtering

• If you’re using a network with parental controls, a school firewall, or Pi-hole, it may block HP Smart from completing setup.
• Temporarily use your phone hotspot and reconnect printer through that (for setup only), then switch back.

Once Done

After the setup finishes:

• Try printing from Word or Acrobat again.
• If still faint, go to Printer Properties > Preferences > Print Quality and set to Best or Normal.
• Re-check alignment via HP Smart > Tools.

I hope this helps!

If my response resolves your issue, please click “Accepted Solution” to help others find the answer. Also, don’t forget to click the “Yes” button to say thanks!

Take care and have a great day.

Max3Aj

HP Support

[elliott_eoghan]

I have run into roadblocks while trying to follow these suggested steps. 

For the driver conflicts:

Print Management does not exist on my computer. printmanagement.msc brings up an error stating it cannot be found. 

There is no "Full Feature Solution" listed in drivers when I check the link you sent. 

And for the setup loop, I followed the suggestions and am still having the same issue, regardless of device or wireless connection. Still will not load.

[Max3Aj]

@elliott_eoghan, Thank you for your response,  

I'm sending a private message to assist you with the next action. 

  

Please check your Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it or simply click on this link. 

  

I hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

  

Max3Aj

HP Support