new ink cartridges are printing smeared areas or faint areas

[Brandy09]

new ink cartridges are printing smeared areas or faint areas. tried aligning, doesn't work on hp app. tried cleaning kept running for an hour

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @Brandy09 ,

Welcome to The HP Support Community.  

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

I understand your HP DeskJet 3772 is still printing with smeared or faint areas even after trying alignment and cleaning, you might want to try these additional troubleshooting steps:

Check Ink Cartridge Installation:

• Make sure the ink cartridges are properly installed and seated correctly in their slots. Sometimes, if they are not seated properly, it can cause printing issues.

Verify Ink Cartridge Seals:

• Ensure that the protective tape or seals on the new ink cartridges were completely removed before installing them. If any tape is left on, it can cause printing problems.

Use Genuine HP Cartridges:

• Confirm that you're using genuine HP ink cartridges. Third-party or refilled cartridges can sometimes cause issues with print quality.

Check Printer Settings:

• Verify that the print quality settings in the HP Smart app or printer settings are set to the desired quality. Sometimes, settings might default to a draft mode which can cause faint printing.

Perform a Print Head Clean and Deep Clean:

• Run a deep cleaning cycle from the printer's control panel or HP Smart app. Sometimes, a more thorough cleaning process is needed to clear any clogs in the print head.

Inspect the Print Head:

• If possible, inspect the print head for any visible damage or blockage. Cleaning the print head manually (if your printer allows) might help. Use a lint-free cloth and distilled water to gently clean it.

Check Paper Quality and Type:

• Ensure that you are using the correct type and quality of paper for your printer. Low-quality or incorrect paper can sometimes affect print quality.

Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers:

• Ensure your printer drivers are up to date. Sometimes outdated or corrupt drivers can cause printing issues. Visit the HP website to download and install the latest drivers for your printer model.

Reset the Printer:

• As a last resort, try performing a factory reset on the printer. This can sometimes resolve issues that other troubleshooting steps don’t fix.

Refer to this document: HP DeskJet 3772 All-in-One Printer User manual 

No black ink, wrong colors, or other print quality issues

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day.

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