Deskjet 2640 prints blank pages

[SatinDucky]

I hadn't printed in a year or so. When I tried it a couple weeks ago it came out blank. It didn't surprise me that it was probably dried out.I cleaned the print heads and 2nd level cleaning. Still blank. I read it couple be cleaned with a lint free wipe and alcohol and thoroughly air dried. I tried that but still had blank pages.

I put in a new off brand black cartridge (I only print in B&W). The page started to print. After the first couple lines it started printing thick gobblygook then stopped printing. I cleaned the print heads a couple more times. I then got a message that it couldn't communicate with the cartridge.

I removed the cartridge and put in a new HP cartridge. The test/alignment page partially printed a few lines fading out to blank. I cleaned heads again. It would print only one or two lines faded to blank. The next few pages were completely blank. I cleaned the print heads multiple times. Still blank. No error messages and it's showing the cartridge full. I put the printer aside for a couple weeks out of frustration. I just tried again. It printed 1 line faded to blank. I'm { } this close to throwing it out the window!

[Garp_senchau]

@SatinDucky,

Thanks for reaching out to the HP Support Community! 🎉

I’m here to help you troubleshoot your issue and get things back on track. Just follow these steps below, and we’ll have you running smoothly in no time:

1. Basic Printer Checks:

• Check Ink Levels: Make sure the new HP cartridge is truly full. Sometimes cartridges can be faulty even if they appear full.
• Confirm Proper Installation: Ensure the cartridge is installed correctly and is securely in place.
• Check for Obstructions: Make sure there’s no paper stuck inside the printer or any visible obstructions in the print path.
• Power Cycle the Printer: Turn the printer off, unplug it from the power source, wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in and turn it on. Sometimes a full reboot can reset any small glitches.

2. Reinstalling Printer Drivers:

• Uninstall Printer Driver:
  1. Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners.
  2. Select your HP DeskJet 2640 and click Remove Device.
• Reinstall Printer Driver:
  1. Go to the HP Support website.
  2. Download the latest driver for Windows 11 specifically for the HP DeskJet 2640.
  3. Reinstall it and follow the on-screen instructions.

3. Perform Printer Reset: Resetting the printer can sometimes fix communication errors or reset settings:

• Turn off the printer and unplug it.
• Wait for about 60 seconds before plugging it back in and turning it on.

4. Check Ink Cartridge Contacts:

• Sometimes, the contacts on the ink cartridge or the printhead can get dirty, causing poor communication. Clean the contact points with a lint-free cloth lightly moistened with water (avoid alcohol here to prevent damaging any components).
• Also clean the metal contacts inside the printer where the cartridge connects. Make sure there’s no ink residue or debris that could interfere with the communication.

[Garp_senchau]

5. Perform Print Head Cleaning via Printer Software:

• Open the HP Smart app or HP Print and Scan Doctor (downloadable from HP’s website).
• Run the print head cleaning tool through the software. This may clean the heads in a more thorough, automated manner than manual methods.

6. Print Test Pages:

• After running the cleaning, try printing a test page directly from the printer menu (kindly refer the user manual to print test pages directly from printer)
• If the test page is still blank or shows ink smudges or faint printing, the print head might be severely clogged.

7. Perform a Hard Reset of the Printer: 

• There's an option for a factory reset in the printer settings, refer to the printer's manual for the specific steps, as it may help clear any settings that could be causing issues.

8. Check for Software and Firmware Updates:

• Visit the HP Support website and check if there are any firmware updates for your printer. Sometimes printers will need an updated firmware to function properly with new cartridges or operating systems like Windows 11.
• Run Windows Update to ensure your OS has all the latest patches, which can sometimes address compatibility issues.

[Garp_senchau]

9. Testing with Another Cartridge:

• If possible, try another genuine HP cartridge. Even a new one can sometimes be defective or incompatible. If the new cartridge still doesn’t print properly, there may be an issue with the printer itself.
• Off-brand cartridges can sometimes cause problems, even if they seem compatible. Try testing with a genuine HP ink cartridge to rule out any issues there.

10. Check for Error Messages:

• If you’re using HP’s software, check for any error messages or warnings that could provide more insight into the issue.

11. Inspect for Hardware Problems: If all else fails, there may be a deeper hardware issue with the printhead or other parts of the printer, especially if it was left unused for a year.

I’m pretty confident this will do the trick! But hey, if you run into any bumps along the way or need a little extra help, just give me a shout! I’ve got your back. 💪

And if this reply solved your problem (or made you feel like a tech wizard 😎), please click "Accept Solution". It helps others, and I promise I’ll do a little happy dance. 🕺 Also, if you could click 'Yes' under ‘Was this reply helpful?’—that’s like giving me a virtual high-five. 🙌

Thanks again for being awesome, and I hope you have an amazing day ahead! 🌟

Cheers,

[Akhi_H]

Hope you're rocking an amazing day! We just wanted to check in and see if everything is sorted. If you need any more help or just want to say hi, we're here for you - just a message away! 

Take care, and stay fantastic! 

Regards, 

Akhi_H