envy 5055 ink smear

[Pavo70]

My envy 5055 continues to smear ink on paper even after I've cycled through the settings to correct it. What needs to be done next to fix it?

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Pavo70,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding your printer!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

Try these steps

Clean Ink Smear

Use the Clean Ink Smear function from the printer display:

1. From the Home screen, touch the Settings icon.
2. Touch Tools.
3. Scroll through the options and touch Clean Ink Smear.

The printer will move back and forth during the cleaning process, and mechanical noises are normal. This process helps to remove any ink buildup on the rollers.

Check the Paper

Ensure that you are using high-quality paper that meets HP specifications. Avoid using ripped, dusty, curled, wrinkled, or bent paper. Store your paper in a dry, cool place and do not print on paper that is already printed.

Clean the Paper Rollers

Clean the paper rollers inside the ink cartridge access area:

1. Turn off the printer and disconnect the power cord.
2. Open the ink cartridge access door.
3. Lightly dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water and press it against the rollers inside the printer.
4. Rotate the rollers upwards with your fingers and apply a moderate amount of pressure to remove dust or dirt buildup.
5. Allow the rollers to dry for about 10 to 15 minutes.
6. Close the ink cartridge access door and reconnect the power cord.

Reset the Printer

To reset the printer, follow these steps:

1. Leave the printer turned on and disconnect the power cord from the printer.
2. Unplug the power cord from the power source.
3. Wait for 60 seconds.
4. Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet and the printer.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[Pavo70]

I appreciate your reply. Your recommendations did not help fix my problem. First, you recommended something I already shared that I tried. The second tip was something new to try but didn't fix it. Anything else I can do?

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Pavo70,

Thank you for the response.

Here's what you can try:

Check the Printhead for Physical Ink Buildup

Sometimes smearing is caused by excess ink around the printhead or carriage path, especially after lots of borderless or heavy ink printing.

Here’s what to do:

Turn off the printer and unplug it.

Open the cartridge access door.

Carefully remove the cartridges and gently lift the printhead latch (if your model allows).

Use a lint-free cloth dampened with distilled water to wipe around the printhead and carriage rail — focus on any inky smudge areas.

Let it dry fully before reinserting the cartridges.

Be gentle, no alcohol or rough cloths here!

Use ‘Print Quality Diagnostic Page’ & Alignment

If the alignment is off, the ink may smear even with new cartridges or cleaned rollers.

Steps:

From the printer’s Settings > Tools > Printer Maintenance

Run both:

“Print Quality Diagnostic Page”

“Align Printhead”

This will realign and recalibrate the ink distribution pattern.

Try a Different Paper Type in Settings

Sometimes ink doesn't dry fast enough on certain paper types, especially if the printer thinks it’s printing on plain paper but it’s glossy or thick.

When printing, click “Printer Properties” or “Preferences.”

Under Paper Type, try changing it to:

“HP Photo Paper” or “HP Premium Paper”

Reduce print quality to “Draft” to minimize ink

This slows down the ink load and drying time.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,