-
×InformationNeed Windows 11 help?Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
Windows 11 Support Center. -
-
×InformationNeed Windows 11 help?Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
Windows 11 Support Center. -
- HP Community
- Printers
- Printer Ink Cartridges & Print Quality
- printer is printing black lines through printed paper

Create an account on the HP Community to personalize your profile and ask a question
Your account also allows you to connect with HP support faster, access a personal dashboard to manage all of your devices in one place, view warranty information, case status and more.
Check some of the most frequent questions about Instant Ink: HP INSTANT INK, HP+ PLANS: INK AND TONER.
Check out our Black or Color Ink Not Printing, Other Print Quality Issues info about: Print quality and Cartridge Issues.
It has been a while since anyone has replied. Simply ask a new question if you would like to start the discussion again.
1 REPLY 1
10-15-2024 07:57 AM
Hi @aperduk,
Welcome to The HP Support Community.
Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.
I understand the issue you're experiencing with your HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 printing black lines could be due to several factors, such as dirty printheads, clogged nozzles, or ink cartridge problems. Here’s a step-by-step guide to troubleshooting and resolving this issue:
1. Clean the Printhead
- You can use the printer’s internal tools to clean the printhead and fix any nozzle blockages:
- On the printer's control panel, swipe left and tap Setup.
- Select Printer Maintenance or Tools.
- Choose Clean Printhead.
- The printer will start the cleaning process, which may take a few minutes. You may need to run this process more than once for a thorough cleaning.
2. Check Ink Levels
- Make sure your ink cartridges are not running low on ink, especially the black one:
- Open the HP Smart app or the printer's control panel.
- Check the ink levels for the black and color cartridges.
- If the ink is low, replace the cartridge with a genuine HP one.
3. Align the Printhead
- Misalignment can cause lines on prints, so aligning the printhead may help:
- Go to Setup on the printer's control panel.
- Select Printer Maintenance or Tools.
- Choose Align Printhead.
4. Manually Clean the Printhead and Cartridges
- If the automatic cleaning doesn’t help, try manually cleaning:
- Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source.
- Open the ink cartridge access door.
- Remove the ink cartridges and check for any ink buildup on the nozzles.
- Using a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water, gently wipe the nozzles and contacts.
- Allow them to dry completely before reinserting the cartridges.
5. Check for Paper or Debris in the Printer
- Check the printer for any bits of paper or debris that might be obstructing the print path.
6. Run a Print Quality Diagnostic Report
- You can run a diagnostic report to see what might be causing the issue:
- On the printer control panel, go to Setup > Printer Maintenance > Print Quality Report.
- Review the report to see if any particular issue stands out, like ink smearing or alignment issues.
7. Update Printer Firmware Update the firmware on an HP printer
- Make sure your printer’s firmware is up-to-date, as firmware updates can fix bugs that might cause printing issues.
8. Replace Faulty Cartridges
- If none of the above solutions work, you may want to consider replacing the black ink cartridge or both cartridges if the problem persists.
Refer to this document: HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 All-in-One Printer User manual
HP OfficeJet 6900, 8010, 8020, 8030 printers - No black ink, wrong colors, other print quality issue...
I hope this helps.
Take care and have a good day.
Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
A_Gayathri
HP Support Community Administrator.
Be alert for scammers posting fake support phone numbers and/or email addresses on the community.
If you think you have received a fake HP Support message, please report it to us by clicking on "Flag Post".
† The opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the authors, not of HP. By using this site, you accept the Terms of Use and Rules of Participation.
Didn't find what you were looking for?
Ask the community
† The opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the authors, not of HP. By using this site, you accept the <a href="https://www8.hp.com/us/en/terms-of-use.html" class="udrlinesmall">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="/t5/custom/page/page-id/hp.rulespage" class="udrlinesmall"> Rules of Participation</a>.