Printer

[Pam829]

I have a 5740e printer. The last month when I print something, it is skipping almost every other line. 

[Garp_senchau]

@Pam829, Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue

Use the Printer’s Built-in Printhead Cleaning Tool

This is the most effective fix.

On the printer’s touchscreen:

Go to Setup > Printer Maintenance

Select Clean Printhead

Let it run and print a test page.

If the problem persists, run the cleaning process a second time.

Don't run it more than 2–3 times in a row, as it uses a lot of ink.

Print a Quality Diagnostic Page

This helps confirm which ink (black or color) is misfiring.

On touchscreen: Setup > Reports > Print Quality Report

Look for:

Missing lines or streaks

Faded or patchy color blocks

Check Ink Levels

Low or clogged ink can cause skipping.

On touchscreen: Ink icon or HP Smart app

If any cartridge is low or empty, replace it.

If ink levels look good but the problem persists > next step.

Manually Clean the Printhead Contacts

Sometimes the contacts get ink buildup or misalignment.

Power off the printer and unplug it.

Open the ink cartridge access door.

Remove all cartridges.

Use a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with distilled water:

Wipe electrical contacts on the cartridges and the printhead

Let everything dry, reinstall cartridges, and try again.

Try Aligning the Printhead

On touchscreen: Setup > Printer Maintenance > Align Printer

Follow on-screen instructions.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Regards,