weak signal and lines on prints

[sk8agrrl]

I just bought an HP office jet pro9720e. 

The first issue I had was it finding my wifi in the building I use, ended up upgrading my wifi with the landlord and it worked but I keep getting a message saying weak signal or not connected to the wifi.  I'm fairy sure there's an issue with the Access point but the ISP are denying this (network report says there's a signal of 2 but it doesn't suggest what max would be). Could the weak signal and dropping connection be the printer being faulty or is this likely an access point / network problem? Short of carrying this monster home I have no way of testing on another wifi set up.

I also had the print cartridges replaced as I kept getting horizontal lines on my prints. I replaced with new cartridges yesterday and while the lines aren't as bad as they were, they're still very evident. Ive ran printhead cleaning multiple times but it doesn't get any better. Could the roller pressure be too high and is this something I can fix myself? or should I just return and ask for new and working replacement?

Ive never had this much trouble with a printer before. 

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @sk8agrrl 

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for posting your query! We're here to help you get back up and running.

It sounds like you're dealing with two frustrating issues—weak Wi-Fi connectivity and persistent print quality problems. Let's break them down:

Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues

Since you've already upgraded your Wi-Fi but still experience weak signals, the issue is likely with the access point rather than the printer itself. Here’s what you can try:

1. Check Signal Strength – If your network report shows a signal strength of "2," it suggests a weak connection. Ideally, you should see a signal strength of at least 3 or 4.
2. Move the Printer Closer to the Router – If possible, place the printer in a location with fewer obstructions.
3. Use a Wired Connection – If your printer supports Ethernet, try connecting it directly to the router.
4. Manually Assign an IP Address – Sometimes, printers struggle with dynamic IP assignments. You can set a static IP in your router settings.
5. Check HP’s Troubleshooting Guide – HP has a dedicated page for connectivity issues here.

 

Print Quality Issues (Horizontal Lines)

Since replacing the cartridges didn’t fully resolve the issue, it could be related to printhead alignment or roller pressure. Here’s what you can do:

1. Run a Printhead Alignment – This is different from cleaning and can help correct misalignment.
2. Check Paper Type & Settings – Ensure you're using the correct paper type in the printer settings.
3. Inspect the Rollers – If the rollers apply too much pressure, they can cause streaks. Unfortunately, adjusting roller pressure manually isn’t an option on most consumer printers.
4. Try a Different Print Mode – Test printing in draft mode or high-quality mode to see if the issue persists.
5. Consider a Replacement – If the problem continues despite troubleshooting, requesting a replacement might be the best option.

Let me know if any of these steps help!

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Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye