Always prints white backgound as blue

[drbobski]

Received zero response from HP Support on this problem.

Has worked properly then suddenly started printing everything with a blue background.  Spontaneouly returned to printing normally then returned to printing blue backgrounds. Has been doing this for quite some time.

 It also prints a blue background if I print in grayscale but prints without the color background if I specify only use black cartridge.

I have uninstalled and reinstalled the cartridges and did the same for the driver.  I even tried putting in new cartridges (even though originals were not even half empty).

Is this something HP does so that they can sell more color refills? 

[Gemini02]

Hello @drbobski,

This is a great location to get assistance! I read your post and see that when printing, the background is all blue. You changed the cartridges and have the same issue.  I would like to help you resolve this issue. 

It sounds like a hardware issue with the printer. Please try the self-test troubleshooting to see if you have the same results:  HP Deskjet 5650 and 6540 Series Printers - Wrong Colors. If you are having the same issue, then the printer will need to be serviced.

Are you using Genuine HP Cartridges?

You can contact  HP Customer Support to find out what service or trade-in options are available. Fill in the model number and the form to receive a case number for quicker assistance. 

Please click the "Thumbs Up" to thank me for my efforts! If this helps you to resolve the issue you are experiencing, please click the "Accept as Solution". Keep me posted. Good Luck!

[drbobski]

Yes, I use genuine HP cartridges.  No, the print diagnostics came back perfect.  The test colors are correct and the cartridges have plenty of ink.  Yes, the problem continues on the HP Deskjet 6540 Color Inkjet Printer.

Perhaps I was no clear on the problem:  if I print (for example) this screen (mix of black text and colored items all on a white background), the printout will show the black text as black and the colored objects with the appropriate color but everything will be on a cyan (blue) backgound.  If I print something which is smaller than the size of the 8.5" x 11" paper, only the section containing the printout has a cyan background while the non-print areas remain white.

[Gemini02]

Thanks for providing that information @drbobski.

Since the printer prints the self-tests perfectly, it wouldn't be a hardware issue with the printer or the cartridges. It would be software related.

Install a Generic driver to see if you have the same results.

On the computer, go to Start, Devices and Printers, select Add a Printer. Follow the steps, select HP and Deskjet 9800 from the list. Set this one as the default printer.

Let me know. Thanks!

[drbobski]

Although my printer is an HP Deskjet 6540, I installed the HP Deskjet 9800 printer as you suggested.  Tried to print a test page to the now default printer HP Deskjet 9800 and the test print would not print: "Error - Printing".  Uninstaled both printers, then reinstalled the HP Deskjet 9800 to the USB port & resent the test print to it. Same results.

Removed the HP Deskjet 9800 printer and reinstalled the HP Deskjet 6540 & set it as the default printer.

Note: HP Deskjet 6540 printer already has the latest HP 6500 Series generic driver installed.

[drbobski]

HP 6540 driver recognizes the installed duplexer but as the blue background printing problem.

HP 6500 Series generic driver still has the blue background printing problem AND will not recognize the installed duplexer.

[Gemini02]

Thanks for getting back to me @drbobski.

Usually, the Deskjet 9800 driver will print to any inkjet printer. Please try the generic Deskjet 990 drivers for Windows 7. Make sure you select USB because it will default to LPT1.

I am trying to find out if the issue is still software related which I believe it is since the self-test doesn't print with the blue background.

Please let me know if that driver works. Thanks!

[drbobski]

There used to be a 6540 driver available but I cannot find it any more. Leaving the Deskjet 6500 series driver installed, I reinstalled the Deskjet 9800 driver using the same virtual USB port as is used by the original 6540 printer.  The test page printed correctly on a white background.  I then did the same for the Deskjet 990c driver (leaving the previous drivers installed) and the test page for the 990c also printed correctly on a white background.  Selecting the 6500 driver, I repeated the test page. It printed on an all cyan background.  I think that the problem is the 6500 driver. 

[Gemini02]

Thanks for getting back to me @drbobski.

I checked the website and it looks like the only drivers available is the Windows Preinstalled drivers.

Source: Installing and Using the Windows Built-in Print Driver.

I would suggest continuing using the Deskjet 9800 driver. You will probably have more features available also.

Thanks!