Need Help with Photosmart C4250 All-in-one

[Arhneas]

I am hoping I have better luck this time because my last post, "Need Help: Photosmart C4250 'USB not connected'" was an issue which still has not been resolved. I even called, twice, and the last time was such a nightmare that I vowed to never again purchase another HP product.

Anyway, at the time I was only using my Photosmart for scanning and recently decided to start using it for printing too. Now I am having a couple new issues. 

First, while trying to resolve the USB issue, the printer and all software were removed. The printer was added back but some of the software is apparently no longer available or is very well hidden because I cannot find it anywhere. Before I had HP Easy Scan, Easy Start, Firmware Updater, Smart and Utility. Now all I have been able to find is HP Smart, which the issue with the USB above prevents me from adding this printer.

Secondly, I just purchased no-brand ink cartridges like I have done many times without any issues, and am now having issues, which circles back to software.

I installed the new cartridges and my Photosmart automatically began the alignment process. It printed an Alignment Page, which it says to place on the scanner, but it is never detected on the first try and the second try I get the error, "Alignment failed". One troubleshooting steps is to clean the printer heads, but now I have no way to access these types of features because I cannot find the software.

In the meantime, the black ink works perfectly aside from the cartridges not being aligned. The color ink would not work at all and I was sent a replacement color ink cartridge that I received today. I installed it, went through the alignment process and it went the same as before. Only difference is now there was some yellow on the Alignment page whereas before it was all black. But according to what I found online while trying to figure this out, the Alignment page should have lines which print in blue and there have been none with either cartridge. 

Does anyone know where I can find the software for Mac (Catalina) so I can access features to clean the printer heads, perform an alignment etc? Or have any ideas how to resolve this printing issue so I can print in color?

Thank you in advance to anyone who replies!

[TEJ1602]

@Arhneas, Welcome to HP Support Community!

The printer does not have full-featured software available for Mac OS 10.15 Catalina update. If you have Print quality-related issues or scanning related issues, I'd suggest you contact 

HP Support in your region regarding further course of action.

Hope this helps!

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[Arhneas]

As I said, I have called support twice. In fact, the first time was regarding the issue with the USB based upon your suggestion, and it was a waste of time as all they did was blame Apple. Two weeks ago I attempted to get "support" again, and all I got was completely disgusted with HP!

The woman I spoke with was argumentative and did not listen to a word I said. After having done nothing but repeat myself for a half hour I asked to speak to a supervisor or manager. She then ran me in circles for ten minutes in-between placing me on hold while she tried to, "find a supervisor". Finally she stated her supervisor said she, "could connect my call to his extension". Only he answered and did not seem to know why I called. I then spent another ten minutes repeating my information, why I had called in the first place, what I had just been through etc. He offers to help but the minute I said I had a MacBook he informs me I had been routed to the, "Windows Team". I asked, is he not a supervisor, and he stated he is with, "Technical Support for the Windows Group". I was furious, and informed him the woman had not only lied about transferring me to her supervisor, but very well knew I had a MacBook. He gave me the whole, "he will do something about that", blah blah blah, "she should not have done that", blah blah blah and, "she should not have wasted my time", blah blah blah. He then transferred me to what was supposed to be the correct department, NOT a supervisor or manager as I had requested, where someone answered, I believe speaking French.

Suffice it to say that I, nor anyone in my family, will ever purchase another HP product again. Unfortunately, at present time I cannot afford to purchase a new printer/scanner. So I have no choice but to work with what I have, but what I have suddenly is not working properly and I do not know how to fix it 😞

[asmita6658]

Hi @Arhneas

Please look for a private message from me requesting additional information. Keep in mind not to publicly post personal information (serial numbers and case details).

If you are unfamiliar with how the Community's private message capability works, you can learn about that here.

Thank you for visiting the HP Support Community.

Have a great day!