Black boxes printing on the right side of Documents - HP Deskjet 6540

[GinaSBS]

Greetings - All of a sudden my favorite workshorse - HP Deskjet 6540 - starting  printing random black boxes on the right side of documents .

Nothing changed that I can think of. I print a test page and it's fine as no black boxes appeared on the test page.  I ran an error report and two error codes appeared that don't appear to print random black boxes (C0620004 & 805D1309). The total engine print page count is 37,063.

I even changed the print cartridge in case that was the problem. Black boxes continue to appear.

Is my well-used and well-loved  HP Deskjet 6540 dying? Should I perform a proper burial? 😉

Thank you for any help you can provide!

A grieving business woman. 

[MKazi]

@GinaSBS

Welcome to HP Support Forums. 🙂 I came across your post and would like to help.

I understand that you have an HP Deskjet 6540 Printer and it prints random black boxes on the right side of documents. The test pages print fine. You have even replaced the cartridges and issue still persists. 

Don't worry, I am a practicing surgeon and I shall make an attempt to cure your printer, Infact by the time I'm done, the printer will be running like a healthy horse. 🙂

I would like to know the following information to assist you better:

• Do the black boxes appear while printing from all applications (Like Microsoft word, etc.)
• Did any updates take place for your printer recently after which this issue may have started?
• Does the printer make copies without the boxes appearing?
• Is the printer connected via USB to the computer?

I suggest you to download and run the HP Print and Scan Doctor software that will detect and fix any printer drivers related issues.

If the issue persists post running the HP print and scan doctor then let us add the basic print drivers and check:

1. Search Windows for devices, and then click Devices and Printers in the list of results.

2. Click Add a printer.

   Figure : Clicking Add a printer

   

3. Click Add a local printer.

   Figure : Selecting Add a local printer

   

4. Select Use an existing port (USB001: Virtual printer port for USB), and then click Next.

5. Click Windows Update, and then wait for the print drivers to update.

6. Click HP, Hewlett-Packard, or Hewlett Packard in the Manufacturer pane, and then select the printer as Deskjet 990c in the Printers pane.

7. Click Next, and then follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver.

8. Disconnect the printer USB cable from the computer, and then reconnect the cable. You can now use your printer.

I sincerely hope this fixes the issue. Keep me posted for any further help. Good luck! 🙂

[GinaSBS]

Hi Surgeon Kazi! 

Thank you for your reply. 

Answers to your questions:

• Do the black boxes appear while printing from all applications (Like Microsoft word, etc.) YES
• Did any updates take place for your printer recently after which this issue may have started? NOT THAT I'M AWARE OF
• Does the printer make copies without the boxes appearing? HP DESKJET 6540 DOESN'T HAVE COPY CAPACITY SO NO
• Is the printer connected via USB to the computer? YES
• I suggest you to download and run the HP Print and Scan Doctor software - DID SO TWICE NOW
• let us add the basic print drivers and check - THE PRINT DRIVERS ARE ALREADY INSTALLED. SHOULD I UNINSTALL THEN REINSTALL?

Thanks a million!

Gina

[MKazi]

@GinaSBS

Hi Gina, thank you for replying with the information. 🙂

Yes, you're correct this printer does not have a copy function. 

Before you uninstall the printer drivers, I do not find the full featured drivers for this printer for Win7. Sometimes Windows may auto detect and install the printer drivers once it is connected. Else you may have to install the Deskjet 990c drivers as suggested in the earlier post. Let me know what happens when you uninstall and then reconnect the printer or if you uninstall and try to reinstall. 

I';; watch for your response. Thanks again! 🙂

[GinaSBS]

Ohhh I apologize. I didn't understand why you were instructing me to download the 990C printer driver. I get it now and will follow your directions.  Quick question. Will the 990c printer then show up in my device & printer list? And do I make it my primary printer?

Thanks!!

[GinaSBS]

Added the new 990C printer. Still have black boxes printing on the right side of documents. I've lost the ability to print in draft mode so now the boxes are darker....but might be a few less than before. 

A frustrated Gina

[MKazi]

@GinaSBS

Thanks Gina for trying the steps and I really do appreciate your patience. I understand that the medication for the printer has still not worked well. But we will try all the best possible diagnosis we can. 

Make sure that once you've added 990c, you need to select it as the default printer in Devices and Printers. Right click on it and select it as the default printer. If issue persists then please try the below steps to uninstall printer drivers from root level:

• In Windows, search for and open Programs and Features.
• Select your HP printer.
• Select Uninstall.
• In Windows, search for and open Devices and Printers.
• In the Devices and Printers window look for your HP Printer. If you see it listed, right-click on it and choose "Delete" or "Remove Device.”
• Open up the run command with the "Windows Key + R" key combo.
• Type printui.exe /s and click OK.
• Click on Drivers tab.
• Look for HP Printer driver. If you see it click on it and click Remove at the bottom.
• Select OK.
• Select Apply and OK on the Print Server Properties windows.
• Close Devices and Printers.

Please try to add the printer again from the basic print drivers. First, you may try to add the printer as Deskjet 6540 and check if that fixes the print issue. If issue persists then add the Deskjet 990c drivers and set them as default and try to print. 

Please keep me posted. Cheers! 🙂

[GinaSBS]

Thanks, doc. I'll try the next medicine tomorrow and report back. 

I appreciate your hanging in there with me. 

Gina

[Riddle_Decipher]

@GinaSBS

It looks like you were interacting with @MKazi, but he's out for the day 

And I'll be glad to help you out.

The Riddle_Decipher is at your service.

We'll be awaiting your response and would be glad to help.

Feel free to post your query for any other assistance as well,

It's been a pleasure interacting with you and I hope you have a good day ahead.

If you wish to show appreciation for my efforts, mark my post as Accepted Solution.

And click on the Purple Thumbs up icon at the bottom of my comment.

Regards,