Adjusting Print density on a P2015dn Laserjet - Win10

[cpl42]

I have a Laserjet P2015dn which is set up with a fixed IP address. Following a change of cartridge, I noticed that the print density is appreciably lighter than previously, and so would like to increase it from its current setting of '3'.  I have attempted to use the HP Smart app, but it doesn't find the printer either by scanning or by specifically entering its IP address. I suspect that the app is not compatible with this older model printer. The HP Print & Scan Doctor 5.6.3 is geared for detecting printing problems, not for altering the device settings. The HP Laserjet P2015 PCL6 Class driver properties does not give access to this setting, it shows only that the Print Quality = 'High'. Would anyone know of a way to alter the printer's print denisty?

[Repairatrooper · Accepted solution]

If you have seen a drastic change in density then likely you have a cartridge issue. That aside, your printer is supported by the HP UPD drivers and I would recommend that is what you install. The driver you currently state you are using is a Microsoft supplied driver and honestly they suck in terms of not support all the features the printer has to offer.

https://www.hp.com/us-en/solutions/business-solutions/printingsolutions/upd.html

[cpl42]

Many thanks for your quick reply and information. There wasn't a drastic change in print density, just that this toner cartrdge printed noticeably lighter than its replacement. I suspect that the cartridge itself is not 100%, despite its being a genuine HP 53A model. I was hoping that I might be able to get away with increasing the print density, rather than dumping this cartridge for another - there's rather a lot of printing still left in it.

I have taken your advice and updated my PCL6 driver to the latest (v 7.0.1.24923) and find that there are a lot more options to change, but print density is not one of them. It does improve the print density over the older driver (v 5.6.5.15717), but not up to the density of the older cartridge this present one replaces (the Print Text as Black option didn't seem to make any difference).

I guess I'm going to have to purchase another cartridge and if it improves the print quality, then possibly I can switch it for this "shonky" cartridge for applications that require it.

Kind regards, and I have marked your reply as both useful and a solution. Paul.