Shadow printing from web or pdf

[Pat29360]

I'm having the same issue as many others with printing web pages or PDFs. The printed copy comes out with shadowed characters. Strangely there are times when most of a web page prints with with shadowed characters but parts of the page do not. Printing is clean and correct when using Word or Excel. I have used Print and Scan Doctor repeatedly to no avail. The test page shows an alignment problem that is not corrected by aligning cartridges. I've done this many many times. I also have uninstalled and reinstalled software for my printer and for Adobe Acrobat. The problem persists. I have checked for updates using HP Assistant and there were none. I also tried using an older working printer and got the same shadowing. This makes be wonder if this is a Windows problem and not a printer problem. All of this began within the last couple of months.

[The_Fossette]

@Pat29360,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

I assure you I will try my best to get this sorted.

In order that I may provide you with an accurate solution, I will need a few more details and I would appreciate if you could, perhaps elaborate on your concern.

• What is the exact model for your printer?
• What is the operating system you are using?

Look forward to hearing from you and you have a great day!

Take care.

Cheers!

[chui1]

I have the same problem with Officejet 4500 G510g-m. I've uninstalled and reinstalled printer, updated drivers, aligned cartridges and reinstalled Adobe reader. Still prints with shadow from web and pdf. Word documents ok. A solution would be greatly appreciated!

[chui1]

Did you find a solution? I"m having the same problem.

[Echo_Lake]

@chui1

Thank you for posting on HP Support Community.

Don't worry as I'll be glad to help, I have a few troubleshooting steps we could try to fix the issue:  

Download and run HP Print and Scan Doctor: Follow steps from the link: Click here

Root level uninstall and reinstall printer drivers: 

• Go to Control panel – Programs and feature – Select all the HP DeskJet printer entries and uninstall them.
• Now go to Control panel – Devices and printer – Select all the printer entries and remove the device.
• Then press the "windows key" + "r" to get the "Run" window open - Type "printui.exe /s" and press enter.
• Under print server properties, go to drivers - remove any entry there as well.
• Again, go to run window, type – “c:/programdata” – Go to Hewlett Packard folder, remove any printer related folders & files.

To reinstall, click here.

• If the issue still continues, install using Using the Windows Built-in Print Driver: Click here

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

[chui1]

I did all that and web and pdf still prints with shadows. Now what?

[The_Fossette]

@chui1,

How is the printer connected to the computer? (USB or wireless)

Cheers!

[DonnaM30]

I am having this same problem with my Deskjet F4280 when I try to print PDFs. This also happens with Word docs, but only with certain parts: The black and white text print correctly, but within an inserted image there are shadows. I removed the driver and reinstalled it as directed, but same issue.

[TEJ1602]

@DonnaM30, Welcome to HP Support Community!

I would suggest you try the Windows built-in drivers. Follow the steps below:

•    Go to Control Panel - Devices and printers - Click on "Add printer" and follow the on-screen instructions.

•    When the page prompts for the drivers, select "Windows update". The driver list will be updated.

•    Click HP, Hewlett Packard, or Hewlett-Packard in the Manufacturer pane, and then click the name of your printer in the Printers pane.

Refer to this document HP Printers - Installing and Using the Windows Built-in Print Driver for help

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

Please click “Accepted 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!

[DonnaM30]

Thanks for the suggestion. I did what you suggested, but the shadow printing continues, and in fact is worse. Now normal text in Word has a shadow (before it was only PDFs or photos).