4x6 photo paper only prints half image and crooked

[justStacy]

When attempting to print photos on 4x6 photo paper, the printer has many issues during the process:

1. Cannot feed the paper. Yes, it's placed correctly. Yes, I've tried muliple sheets. Yes, I've tried a single sheet. Only way for it to feed is by me sticking my hand in there and guiding it in. Yes, I have the guides pushed in, also.

2. Will only print half the image, if I'm lucky. Yes, all the settings are correct in the printer properties. Yes, I've tried different programs for printing. Yes, I've tried different settings. Yes, I've tried different brands of paper.

3. If anything prints at all, it is always crooked. 

Things I have tried (because I have been searching for months!):

1. Triple checked the paper is being fed in the appropriate way. Guides are set, paper is facing correctly, paper is flat, not curled.

2. Tried 4 different brands of paper. Kodak, HP, Brother, Staples brand...all with the same results.

3. I've tried every combination of settings I have found in troubleshooting guides. Every. Single. One. 

4. I've cleaned everything in the printer I can get to. I've checked for pieces of paper stuck, I've sprayed with canned air, you name it. That printer is so clean you could eat off it, I swear.

5. All other paper prints perfectly fine. My only issue is 4x6 photo paper. I can print envelopes with no issues. I've fed transfer paper through it before, no issues. 

6. I've tried Print & Scan Doctor. I'm pretty sure he got his lisence in a back alley.

7. Printing from computer, or from scanner bed yields the same results. 

For clairity, I've included an image so you can see what I'm dealing with. Yes, the photo paper is curled in the pictures. These have been sitting out for a while. Naturally they will curl. They are flat when entering the printer. Don't let that fool you.

[MKazi]

@justStacy

Thank you for posting on HP Forums, MKazi is at your service. 

I came across your post and would like to help. 

I understand that you have an HP ENVY 4502 e-All-in-One Printer and has issue printing on 4x6 photo paper. It is the picture of one of the cutest babies I have ever seen. 🙂

I have read your post comprehensively and I appreciate the steps you have performed and have certainly done a good job.Fabulous analysis. Spectacular diagnosis of the issue before posting. Kudos to you for that. 

You have covered almost all the troubleshooting. Hence, I suggest you to download and run the firmware update for your HP printer via this link. You may restart the printer once the firmware is successfully installed.

In case the problem persists even after installing the firmware update then you may contact our HP phone support team to check the available service options for your printer. 

Hope this helps. Feel free to keep me posted for any further questions.

Good luck!

[justStacy]

Hey MKazi! Thanks for replying to me! Yes, she is an adorable baby. Her name is Aubree. 🙂 Not mine, sadly, but a friend of the family.

So, I downloaded that program, and it says my firmware is already up to date. 

And, a more recent development:

It refuses to print with 8.5x11 photo paper, also. And that is HP brand photo paper. The paper gets stuck in the machine. It acts like it is printing, but the paper only rolls in part way, then doesn't move. 

To be honest, it seems like I'm not meant to print these darn pictures. 

[MKazi]

@justStacy

You're welcome.

I have a few more tricks up my sleeve. Are you able to select the correct paper type and paper size from the print settings of the application you're trying to print from?

This HP document gives detailed steps on printing photos in Windows.

In case the problem persists then I suggest you to contact our HP phone support team to explore the available service options for your printer. 

Hope this works out. Let me know. 
Good luck! 🙂