streak through text

[Stephen461]

after cleaning and aligning on the printer, I still get the streaks through the text.

[Jerry_57]

Hi @Stephen461,
 

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

Thank you for the update. Since you have already performed the printer cleaning and alignment, but streaks are still appearing through the text, the issue is likely caused by one of the following:
 

• A partially clogged printhead that requires a deeper cleaning cycle.
   
• Dirty electrical contacts between the cartridges and the printhead.
   
• A defective or failing ink cartridge.
   
• Printer firmware that may need updating to improve print performance.

The steps below will help identify and resolve the most common causes of persistent streaking.
 

Step 1: Run a Printhead Cleaning from the HP App:

Even if you've already run a cleaning cycle from the printer's control panel, the HP App may perform a more thorough printhead cleaning.
 

Why this helps:

Printhead cleaning forces fresh ink through the nozzles, helping clear dried ink or partial blockages that can cause streaks, missing lines, or uneven text.
 

1. Open or install the HP App.  HP App – For HP Printers, Laptops, and Tech Accessories | HP® Official Site
    
2. Go to Printer Settings > Tools > Clean Printhead.
    
3. When the cleaning completes, print a Print Quality Diagnostic Page to check whether the streaking has improved.

Step 2: Clean the Printhead and Cartridge Contacts

If the printhead nozzles are functioning correctly, poor electrical contact between the cartridges and the printhead can also affect print quality.
 

Why this helps:

Dust, dried ink, or residue on the contacts can interfere with communication between the cartridge and the printer, resulting in streaks or inconsistent printing.
 

1. Turn off the printer and unplug the power cord.
    
2. Remove the ink cartridges.
    
3. Using a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with distilled water, gently clean:
   
   
   • The copper-colored electrical contacts on each cartridge.
      
   • The matching contacts inside the printer.
      
4. Allow all contacts to dry for about 5 minutes.
    
5. Reinstall the cartridges and test the printer again.

Note: Avoid touching the ink nozzles or using alcohol or abrasive materials, as this may damage the cartridges.

Step 3: Test with Another Genuine HP Cartridge (If Available)

If the streaking continues, the ink cartridge itself may be the cause.
 

Why this helps:

Although uncommon, even genuine HP cartridges can occasionally develop print quality issues due to clogged nozzles or internal defects.
 

If you have another compatible genuine HP cartridge available, install it and print a test page to compare the results.

 

[Jerry_57]

Step 4: Update the Printer Firmware

Keeping the printer firmware up to date ensures the printer has the latest performance improvements and fixes.
 

Why this helps:

Firmware updates can resolve known printing issues and improve overall printer reliability and compatibility.
 

Update the printer to the latest available firmware using the official HP support instructions.

Expected Outcome

After completing these steps, the streaks should be reduced or eliminated if the issue is related to clogged printhead nozzles, dirty contacts, or cartridge performance.

If streaks still appear after completing all of the above, please let us know:
 

• The exact HP printer model.
   
• Whether the streaks appear in black text, color text, or both.
   
• Whether the streaks also appear on the Print Quality Diagnostic Page.

This information will help determine whether the issue is related to the ink cartridges, printhead, or another printer component.

I hope this helps. Please keep us updated with the results, and we'll be happy to assist you further.

Take care and have a great day.