my 6968 printer has very poor color quality

[Jack823]

My printer does not print well in color. I've been through all the routines and it still fails.

[Gaya1239]

Hi @Jack823,

Welcome to The HP Support Community.  

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

I understand you are facing an issue with your HP OfficeJet Pro 6968 is still printing poorly in color, despite following the standard troubleshooting steps, here are some additional things you can try to improve the color quality:

1. Check Ink Levels

• Ensure that all the color cartridges (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) are not running low or empty. Low ink levels can lead to poor color output.
• You can check the ink levels in the HP Smart app or via the printer's control panel.

2. Run the Printer's Cleaning Cycle

• Even if you've already run through some routines, you may want to try the cleaning and alignment process again. On the printer's control panel:
  • Go to Setup > Printer Maintenance > Clean Printhead.
• Alternatively, run a Print Quality Diagnostic report to check for any irregularities in the printhead alignment.

3. Check for Printhead Alignment

• Misalignment can cause color issues. You can realign the printhead through the printer's settings:
  • Go to Setup > Printer Maintenance > Align Printer. This will help ensure that the ink cartridges are correctly aligned for optimal color printing.

4. Print in Color (Not Grayscale)

• Make sure that the printer is not set to print in grayscale or black-and-white mode, as this will affect the color output.
• In the print settings, select Color instead of Black & White or Grayscale.

5. Use the Right Paper

• Poor quality color prints can sometimes be a result of using the wrong paper. Ensure you're using paper designed for color printing (such as photo paper or color inkjet paper).
• Make sure the paper type and quality are correctly selected in the printer's settings to match the type of paper you’re using.

6. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

• Sometimes, outdated or corrupt printer drivers can lead to poor color printing. You can download and install the latest drivers for your HP OfficeJet Pro 6968 from the HP support website.

7. Print Test Page

• If you haven't already, print a Test Page or Color Test Page directly from the printer's control panel. This can help you identify any specific color or printhead problems.

8. Replace Ink Cartridges

• If none of the steps above improve the color output, and the ink levels are fine, it may be worth replacing the color cartridges. Over time, cartridges can become defective or clogged, even if they aren't empty.

Refer to this document: HP OfficeJet Pro 6968 All-in-One Printer User manual

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day.

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