Problem printing

[Helmo3]

Any ideas why my new printer HP OfficejetPro 9720e is printing like this? What can I do to resolve it? 

 

[Hawks_Eye · Accepted solution]

Hi @Helmo3 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thanks for sharing that image—and I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this. When printed text appears misaligned, blurry, or distorted like that, it’s often a sign of mechanical or ink system issues that need more than just a basic cleaning. 

Let’s walk through a structured recovery process to help restore crisp, accurate output from your HP OfficeJet Pro 9720e.

 

Step-by-Step Recovery for Misaligned or Blurry Print Output

1. Check for Ink Smearing or Misregistration

• Open the printer and inspect the printhead area for any ink buildup or paper dust.
• Use a lint-free cloth dampened with distilled water to gently clean around the printhead carriage rails.
• Avoid touching the nozzles or copper contacts directly.

 

2. Run Printhead Alignment and Diagnostic Tools

• On the printer’s control panel or HP Smart app:
  • Go to Settings > Printer Maintenance > Align Printhead.
  • Then run Print Quality Diagnostic Page.

This will help identify whether the issue is due to alignment, ink delivery, or mechanical drift.

You can follow HP’s official guide on Fixing Poor Print Quality for detailed steps and visuals.

 

3. Check Paper Type and Tray Settings

• Ensure the correct paper type is selected in the print settings.
• Confirm that the photo tray is properly seated and recognized:
  • Go to Settings > Tray and Paper Management.
  • Reconfigure the tray manually if needed.

If the tray was recently unrecognized after accepting a certificate update, it may require a firmware refresh.

 

4. Update Firmware and Drivers

• Visit the HP Software and Driver Downloads page.
• Download and install the latest:
  • Firmware Update Utility
  • Print and Scan Driver
  • HP Smart Diagnostic Tools

Restart the printer after installation to ensure all updates are applied.

 

5. Clear the Print Spooler

If the spooler is still spinning:

• On your Windows PC:
  • Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
  • Scroll to Print Spooler, right-click, and choose Restart.
  • Then go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers > See What’s Printing and cancel any stuck jobs.

You’ve already done the right thing by documenting the symptoms clearly—let’s get your printer back to producing the quality you expect.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye