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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printing Errors or Lights & Stuck Print Jobs
- HP Deskjet F4480 Printing Text with Shadow

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12-18-2019 10:46 PM
I put new cartridges in my printer, and now it is printing text with a shadow. It makes the text look a bit fuzzy.
I have aligned the cartridges a number of times, cleaned the cartridges, ran paper feed cleaning and ran back of page smear cleaning for good measure. I also uninstalled and reinstalled all related drivers and software.
The only way I can print without the shadow is by selecting print in grey scale, black ink only.
I assume it is an alignment issue but going through alignment multiple times has not helped. I've even taken out the cartridges and put them back in and then run through alignment. They are brand new cartridges.
12-18-2019 11:00 PM
After looking through other posts I saw a solution using the HP Print and Scan Doctor. I installed that and ran through that. The test page clearly shows an alignment issue, so I once again did an alignment. There was no change.
12-21-2019 01:06 PM
I have gone through your Post and I would like to help
Please try these steps
- Turn on the printer.
- Wait until the printer is idle and silent before you continue.
- Disconnect the USB cable from the rear of the printer. If your printer has a network or wireless connection, leave it connected.
- Remove the ink cartridges from the printer and clean the electrical contacts with lint free cloth
- With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer and from the wall outlet or power strip.
- Wait at least 60 seconds.
- Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet.
NOTE: HP recommends connecting the printer power cord directly to a wall outlet.
- Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.
- Turn on the printer, if it does not automatically turn on.
- The printer might go through a warm-up period. The printer lights might flash, and the carriage might move.
- Wait until the warm-up period finishes and your printer is idle and silent before you proceed.
- Reinsert the ink cartridges, and then close the ink cartridge access door.
- If you receive a prompt to print a calibration page, do so.
Also ensure the printer has the latest Firmware. Link: https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c02919168
Keep me posted 😊
If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the "Solution Accepted" on this Post and it will also help other community members with similar issue.
KrazyToad
I Am An HP Employee
12-24-2019 09:50 AM
I recommend you root uninstall the printer and then reinstall it and check if it helps.
1.) In Windows, search for and open Programs and features
2.) Select your HP Printer
3.) Select Uninstall
4.) In Windows, search for and open Devices and printers
5.) In the Devices and Printers windows look for your HP printer. If you see it listed right-click on it and choose 'Delete' or 'Remove Device'
6.) Open up the run command with the "Windows key + R" key combo.
7.) Type printui.exe /s and click Ok. (Note: there is a space in between “printui.exe” and “/s”)
8.) Click on the "Drivers" tab
9.) Look for HP Printer driver. If you see it Click on it and click Remove at the bottom
10.) Select Ok
11.) Select Apply and Ok on the Print Server Properties windows
12.) Close Devices and Printers
13.) Restart the PC
14.) Download and install the printer software from the below link.
If you wish to show appreciation for my efforts, mark my post as Accept as Solution. Your feedback counts!
Cheers!
The_Fossette
I am an HP Employee