Error looks like ink smeared across the page

[EdInBham]

I was printing a multi-page B&W document. I noticed that a page came out with no text but what almost looked like horizontal  bar graphs that faded out anywhere from .25 inches to 6 inches.  I stopped the print job, rebooted the printer, and changed the black ink cartridge (I had received a notice a day or so earlier that I was nearly out of black ink).

Using the new cartridge the next day, the same printing error occurred.

What could be causing this problem?

[JeanJAB]

Hi EdlnBham,

I'm sorry your page is not printing the way it should.

I'm not sure if the problem is with the ink cartridge but it does sound like it.

Use this document and follow Step 9 to print a diagnostic report.  See if the black ink is printing as it should.  If the words at the top of the page are printing horizontal bar graphs then you will know there is a problem with the ink cartridge.

If this prints just fine, there may be a problem with the document you are printing.  Try printing a different document from another program. 

Let me know what happens and I will try to give you more suggestions.

Jean

[EdInBham]

This is an intermittent error. I will go through these steps if it occurs again.

[JeanJAB]

Hi EdlnBham,

If the issue keeps happening on one particular document - it could be corrupted. 

You may want to recreate it. 

See if the issue is isolated to a particular file or program or happens across several documents. 

It could also be a connection problem. 

Here is a document that describes what to do for garbled print or a connection problem.  You may find this helpful as well.

Jean

[EdInBham]

I tried to print a doc on the OfficeJet Pro 8600. An error message appeared that the document had not printed.

The power light is on. When I press the power switch, nothing happens

The red X is lit next to the control panel. Nothing happens when I touch it.

When I open the ink cartridge access door, the cartridges do not slide into view.

I have unplugged the printer, shut off the computer, shut off the network. Nothing changes when I repower all.

I hope someone has some ideas for solving this problem.

[EdInBham]

I used to have the Officejet Pro 8600 and used software called HPScan. Very good -- I could choose to have OCR done as I scanned.

Now that I now have the 8720 the HPScan software cannot estalish a connection.

I have tried out the HP Scan & Capture software that comes with the 8720. First, when scanning and saving, it slightly reduces the size of the type. Since courts are picky about the type size we use, this is not acceptable.

Second, Scan & Capture will not OCR as part of the scanning process. Instead, I have to open the saved document in Adobe Acrobar and OCR using that software. A timewaster.

Can anyone suggest a way I can (1) get the old HPScan to work with the 8720 or (2) get other software that will work as the HPScan software did.

[JeanJAB · Accepted solution]

Hi EdlnBham,

I'm sorry I am not very knowledgeable about OCR SW.

I would recommend that you repost your question as a new post in the scanning section of printing.

It may not find an answer posted here below your other questions on different topics.

Sorry I'm not more help on this one.

jean