The printing is smudged

[Thomas82]

I recently installed new cartridges, and ever since the printing is smudged, black and color, digits and letters.

I used the align and clean tools, but in vain.

What else can I do?

[Nal_NR]

Hi @Thomas82,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd like to help!

Perform the following tasks in the order given. Use the printer after each task to see if the issue is resolved.

Run the automated printhead or ink cartridge cleaning tool

Clean the printhead and cartridges to resolve print quality issues including incorrect colors, streaks, and faded prints.

Load plain white paper in the tray.

Open the HP Smart app, and then click the picture of your printer to open the settings and management tools.

In Print Quality Tools or in Advanced Settings > Tools > Utilities > Print Quality Toolbox, select Clean Printhead to start the cleaning tool.

Review the Print Quality Diagnostic page that prints for defects and any instructions to resolve the issue. Run up to two more cleaning cycles, if necessary.

Check for ink smears on the back of printouts

Use an automated cleaning tool if there are smears of ink on the back of documents or photos.

Load plain white paper in the tray.

Open the HP Smart app, and then click the picture of your printer to open the settings and management tools.

In Print Quality Tools or in Advanced Settings > Tools > Utilities > Print Quality Toolbox, select Clean next to Clean Smear to start the cleaning tool.

Check for issues with the ink cartridges

Very low ink levels, using non-HP cartridges, and rough handling can cause print quality issues.

Replace any non-HP or refilled cartridges with genuine HP cartridges. HP supplies are available from the HP Store and local retailers.

HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP or refilled cartridges. Go to HP Anti Counterfeiting and Fraud Program for more information.

Check the ink levels and replace any low or empty cartridges.

NOTE:

The printer features a 'backup mode' that enables printing with one cartridge. Remove the low or empty cartridge to continue printing if a replacement is not available. Depending on the cartridge removed, blacks will not be as dark and color prints will be in grayscale.

Rough handling of cartridges during transport or installation can cause print quality problems. Wait a few hours for the automatic servicing routine to complete, and then try to print again.

If you have a defective HP cartridge, it might be under warranty. Go to About Original HP Cartridges for page yield and HP limited warranty information.

Click here for the remaining steps. 

If you have already performed all the steps and still having issues, then it could be either the cartridge is faulty or the printer needs to be checked. 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[Thomas82]

Hi Elohi_NR,

I performed all the steps you had written, more than once, but in vain. Nothing improves the printing quality.

The cartridges are original and new.

I guess there is some flaw in the cartridges, so I will replace them.

Thank you anyway for your help.

[Nal_NR · Accepted solution]

Hi @Thomas82,

Thanks for writing back. I appreciate the steps you have performed and have certainly done a good job., I see that it has not helped. 

Yes, it could be either the cartridges or the printer needs to be checked. Do keep me posted if anything in the future. Take care

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the Accepted Solution button, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!