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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printer Ink Cartridges & Print Quality
- Why do my print outs have blocks of ink and bar code like sh...

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04-14-2025 11:39 AM
@Churros, Welcome to HP Support Community.
Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.
It sounds like you're experiencing a common issue with HP printers. The blocks of ink and barcode-like shapes over the text can be caused by several factors:
Ink Cartridge Issues: The ink cartridges might be clogged or dirty. Try cleaning the area around the ink nozzles with a lint-free cloth and distilled water.
Driver Compatibility: There might be compatibility issues between your HP printer and macOS. Ensure you have the latest printer drivers installed.
Print Head Alignment: Misalignment of the print head can cause printing errors. Running a print head alignment from your printer's settings might help.
Firmware Updates: Check if there are any firmware updates available for your printer. Sometimes, updating the firmware can resolve printing issues. Official HP® Drivers and Software Download | HP® Support
Paper Quality: Using low-quality or incompatible paper can also cause printing problems. Ensure you're using the recommended paper type for your printer.
I hope this helps.
Take care and have a good day.
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Max3Aj
HP Support