used the HP app to clean the ink heads and also manually cleaned. Still have black lines printing

[Daisy136]

HP Office Jet Pro 6968. I have followed the instructions on HP App for cleaning ink heads and also cleaned them manually but still have black lines (some straight and some wavy on every paper I print. I have sufficient ink levels also.  Any suggestions? thanks

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Daisy136,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

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

I understand your HP OfficeJet Pro 6968 is still printing black lines even after using the HP app and manually cleaning the printheads. Let’s go through some troubleshooting steps to resolve this.

Check Print Quality Settings
○ Go to Printer Properties on your computer.
○ Set Print Quality to Best instead of Draft.
○ Make sure the correct paper type is selected.

Run Printhead Alignment
○ Open the HP Smart App or your printer’s control panel.
○ Run the Printhead Alignment utility.
○ Misaligned printheads can cause black lines and uneven printing.

Perform a Deep Cleaning
○ Use the Deep Clean option in the HP Smart App (not just the basic cleaning).
○ Run it twice or thrice if necessary, allowing 30 minutes between attempts for optimal results.

Inspect the Cartridges and Printhead
○ Remove the cartridges and check for dried or damaged nozzles.
○ Ensure cartridges are seated correctly and the contacts are clean.

Check for Obstructions or Debris
○ Look inside the printer for paper dust, ink residue, or foreign particles that may scratch the page or affect ink flow.

Test on Different Paper
○ Sometimes low-quality or textured paper can reveal lines.
○ Use plain white HP-recommended paper to rule this out.

I hope this helps.

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