The print comes out with faded colors and not according to the original print.

[yaron67]

The print comes out with faded colors and not according to the original print. Their paint containers are at least half full. why is it happening?

[Nal_NR]

Hi @yaron67,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd be happy to help you! 

If your HP Smart Tank 515 is producing prints with faded colors, here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

Check Ink Levels:

• Ensure that the ink tanks are filled with the correct ink and that none of the tanks are low or empty.

Perform Printhead Cleaning:

• Use the printer's control panel or the HP Smart app to perform a printhead cleaning.
• This can help clear any clogs or blockages in the printheads.
• You may need to run the cleaning cycle a couple of times for better results.

Run a Print Quality Diagnostic Report:

• Use the printer's control panel to print a diagnostic report.
• This report can help identify which printhead or color might be causing the problem.

Check Paper Type and Quality:

• Ensure you are using the correct type of paper for your print job.
• Using high-quality photo paper can significantly improve print quality.

Update Printer Firmware:

• Check the HP Support website for any firmware updates on your printer.
• Download and install any available updates.

Align the Printheads:

• Use the printer’s control panel to align the printheads.
• This can improve the overall print quality and color accuracy.

Print a Test Page:

• Print a test page to check for any color discrepancies or faded areas.
• If certain colors are missing or faded, the issue might be with a specific ink tank or printhead.

Use Genuine HP Ink:

• Ensure you are using genuine HP ink. Non-HP ink can sometimes cause print quality issues.

Check for Driver and Software Updates:

• Make sure you have the latest printer drivers and software installed on your computer.
• Visit the HP Support website to download the latest drivers and software.

Clean the Printhead Manually:

• If the automated cleaning doesn’t resolve the issue, you might need to clean the printhead manually.
  • Refer to your printer’s manual for instructions on how to safely remove and clean the printhead.

If the issue persists after trying these steps, it may indicate a more serious problem with the printhead or ink delivery system. In such cases, contacting HP Support for further assistance is advisable.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.

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