blurred or misaligned printing in black color

[Asdf300]

My printer always prints with ghosts in black. I thought it was a problem with the cartridge. I bought another one, but now it prints blurry and misaligned.

I've tried everything, dr software, realignment.

There's an interesting detail: if I request a file from the printer (for example, diagnostics or network information),
it comes out perfect.

I really don't know what to do anymore, can someone give me some direction?

There are no technicians in my area, I live in the countryside.

I can disassemble and repair or replace parts

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @Asdf300,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

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

Since your HP Ink Tank Wireless 416 uses a refillable ink tank system (not standard cartridges), some of the earlier steps about replacing cartridges don't apply.

Please let me know you are reaching us about the same Ink tank printer, or for which printer the Cartridges were replaced. Do let me know the actual model so I can help you accordingly in solving the issue.

Take care and have a good day.

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

VikramTheGreat

HP Support

[Asdf300]

Sorry,  I really don't understand you question.

I use original pieces. 

Ink tank 416 is the model. 

[Asdf300]

moh51a hp

[zoey7886]

Hi @Asdf300, I see you were interacting with @VikramTheGreat however, he's away for now and I'd love to help you out

Thanks for confirming the model—HP Ink Tank 416.

Given that test pages from the printer itself come out perfect, but prints from your computer are blurry or misaligned in black, it points more toward a software/driver or alignment issue, rather than hardware or ink flow.

Here are a few steps to try:

Check Print Settings:
Make sure the paper type and quality settings in the print dialog match what you're actually using.

Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers:
Head to HP's official driver page and download the latest drivers for your OS. Sometimes, reinstalling the driver can fix communication or rendering glitches.

Try a Different Application or File:
Sometimes a specific file or program might cause strange print behavior. Test with a different PDF or Word document.

Print from Another Device:
If possible, try printing from another PC or phone. If the issue disappears, it's likely system-specific.

Since you mentioned you're comfortable with disassembly—don’t rush into that yet. Given the printer prints its own diagnostics just fine, the internal hardware (like the encoder strip or printhead carriage) seems fine.

If our solution hit the spot, please click "Accepted Solution" to help others find the answer. And if you'd like to say thanks, select "Yes" on the bottom left as that would make our day!  

Take care, and have an incredible day ahead!  

Regards,  

[Asdf300]

Thank you for your reply. I have already done all these tests, reinstalled the drive, used a different drive, different computer, but whenever I change the drive the problem persists, but the misalignment changes.
I imagine it is something related to the drive itself, but I cannot print without problems from any machine or cell phone.
It is strange because the problem started about two years ago, and one day it stopped, but now it has happened again.

[zoey7886]

@Asdf300, Thanks for sticking with us and for all the detailed info—it really helps.

Given that you've already tested different drivers, computers, and devices, and the issue only affects prints sent from those (not internal printer reports), it's clear the hardware is mostly fine—especially since the printer can output perfect test pages.

The fact that the misalignment changes slightly with different drivers suggests this may still be software or firmware related. Here's what I’d recommend next:

Firmware Update:
Visit the HP Support site and check if there's a firmware update available for the Ink Tank 416. Firmware bugs can sometimes cause ghosting or misalignment that drivers alone can't fix.

Try HP Smart App (if not already):
Sometimes printing through HP Smart can bypass issues that pop up in older driver versions or third-party apps.

Print Quality Toolbox (again, just in case):
I know you've done realignment and cleaning, but running the full Print Quality Diagnostic and a Manual Printhead alignment (if available) might still help if the issue is subtle.

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!  

Regards, 

[Asdf300]

 Thank you for continuing with me, sorry for the delay in responding. 

I've tried the Smart app, unfortunately there's no firmware update

 I came to the same conclusion, even looked for a way to reinstall or downgrade, but I didn't find it. I'm sure it's a firmware problem with the drives. I've met several people citing the same problem on the internet. all without a solution. . 

[zoey7886]

@Asdf300, Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

We're here to help you tackle that blurred or misaligned printing in black color! Don't worry, we've got your back! 

To get you the best assistance, we need to take this conversation to a private chat. We're inviting you to a private message to protect your privacy and ensure that any sensitive information remains confidential. 

To access your private message, just click the little blue envelope icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile, next to your profile name.  

We're looking forward to helping you resolve this issue! 

Stay tuned, and thanks for your patience! 

Regards,