Printing issue

[Bluefella]

paper smudges in top left corner of print job

I have owned the printer for over a year and rarely use it. It is annoying when I have to print official documents. It appears fine for colour photos 
I had a paper jam and may have caused the problem clearing it. 
any advice would be helpful 

thank you. 

[Jerry_57]

Hi @Bluefella,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

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

Paper smudges and jams can be quite frustrating, especially when printing important documents. Here are some steps to address these issues based on information from HP resources:
 

Check for Obstructions: Ensure that there are no remaining pieces of paper or debris inside the printer from past jams, as these can affect print quality. Follow the instructions of your printer model for clearing jams, which might include opening specific covers to remove any stuck paper.

Clean the Rollers: Paper smudging can sometimes occur if there is ink residue on the rollers. You can clean the rollers with a lint-free cloth that is slightly dampened with water. Turn off the printer and ensure it's unplugged before attempting to clean.

Align and Clean Printheads: For issues related to ink smudging, run a printhead alignment and cleaning routine using the built-in tools on your printer’s control panel or through the printer software on your computer.

Check Paper Type and Settings: Ensure that you are using the correct paper type setting. Incorrect settings may lead to improper ink absorption and potential smudging. The settings should match the type of paper you are using (e.g., Plain Paper, Photo Paper).

Recalibrate Paper Advance: If you suspect the paper advance is not correct, recalibrate this setting. This will help ensure the proper placement of ink on the paper. Steps for recalibrating can often be found in your printer’s manual or on the HP support website specific to your printer model.

Consider Environmental Conditions: The environment where your printer is located (humidity, temperature) can affect printing quality. Ensure it is within the recommended range specified in your printer's manual.

Verify Firmware and Software Updates: Make sure your printer has the latest firmware and software updates. This can often improve print quality issues.


I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Jerry_57

HP Support

[Bluefella]

Thanks Jerry

i attached a photo of the problem. It shows where in the top left hand side where the problem lies. 
there is an absence of ink there 

I had a paper jam and may have damaged some thing by dragging the paper out. 
when I I first assembled the unit I had a bit of difficulty inserting the printer head and wasn’t confident I’d installed it correctly however it printed ok although slow. 
I use A4 copy paper. 155 CIE Whiteness. 80gsm
when I print photos I can’t find any irregularities in the same area. 
Mike

[Jerry_57]

Hi @Bluefella,

Thank you for your response.

It sounds like you are experiencing issues with your HP printer, likely related to the printhead or paper handling. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue:
 

Check Printhead Installation: Given that you initially faced difficulty installing the printhead, it's a good idea to re-check the installation. Ensure that the printhead is properly seated and aligned in its slot. Refer to your printer's user manual for specific installation instructions.

Inspect for Damage: Since the issue began following a paper jam, inspect the interior of the printer for any signs of damage, especially around the printhead and paper path. Look for any torn pieces of paper or foreign objects that might be causing the problem.

Run a Printhead Cleaning Cycle: Many HP printers have a utility tool or function in their settings that allows you to clean the printhead. Run this utility to see if it resolves any blockage causing the ink not to print properly.

Check Paper Path: Ensure there are no obstructions in the paper path. A paper jam can sometimes leave scraps of paper inside the printer, which can affect printing.

Update Printer Drivers: Ensure that your printer drivers are up to date. You can download the latest drivers from the Official HP® Support.

Test with Different Media: Try printing on different paper types or adjusting the paper settings in the print menu to see if the issue persists.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Jerry_57

HP Support