HP Envy 4511 printer will not align, print quality horrible

[JeyC]

Out of the blue, everything I print is printing half lines, as if it was either running out of ink or unaligned. (I recently canceled my HP InstaInk service and replaced my cartridges with new HP cartridges - the timing is suspect). I tried to realign the printer, but the sheet to print out to scan and realign will not print out correctly, and when I go to scan it, an error msg comes up that "No alignment sheet is detected".

I have restarted  the printer, restored factory settings, reloaded NEW cartridges (which has cost me even more $$ since the other ones were perfectly fine), I have trouble shooted everything and nothing is working. 

Any ideas???

[Raj1788]

@JeyC

Welcome to the HP Support Community

Alignment issues might occur when scanning or printing, and an Alignment failed or Alignment Unsuccessful error message displays on the printer control panel.

Step 1: Tips for understanding printer alignment messages

Use these tips to help complete the alignment or remove the message.

• Use clean white paper: Make sure the printer is loaded with unused, clean white paper, and then retry alignment.

• Scan page if required: If your printer has a scanner, you might see instructions on the alignment page to place the page on the scanner bed and press Scan. Follow the instructions on the alignment page to complete the scan.

• Choose 'Skip' to continue printing: If the 'Alignment Unsuccessful' message cannot be resolved, and you see a Skip button, you can choose to continue printing without alignment. Print quality might be affected.

If these tips do not resolve alignment issues, continue to the next step.

Step 2: Reset the printer

Turning the printer off, and then on again might resolve an Alignment failed error message.

1. Turn the printer on, if it is not already on.

2. Wait until the printer is idle and silent before you continue.

3. With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.

4. Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.

5. Wait at least 60 seconds.

6. Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet.

   note:

   HP recommends connecting the printer power cord directly to the wall outlet.

7. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.

8. Turn on the printer, if it does not automatically turn on.

9. Wait until the printer is idle and silent before you proceed.

If resetting the printer does not resolve the issue, continue to the next step.

Step 3: Use genuine HP ink cartridges

HP recommends that you use genuine HP ink or toner supplies. HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP or refilled cartridges. If you do not use genuine HP cartridges, the steps in this document might not resolve the issue. To check the authenticity of your cartridges, go to the HP anti-counterfeit webpage (in English).

Purchase replacement cartridges and other supplies from the HP Store or local retailers.

If using genuine HP ink cartridges does not resolve the issue, continue to the next step.

Step 4: Evaluate the alignment page

Examine the alignment page to see if the printer is properly aligned.

If the printer seems to be printing an alignment page, but the printed page is blank or has very little ink, skip to the step to Check the ink levels.

note:

Your alignment test page might be different from the one pictured, but the steps are the same.

Figure : Example of an Alignment test page

• If the patterns on the alignment test page are solid and aligned and you see both black and blue patterns, skip to the step to Service the printer.

• If the patterns on the alignment test page are faded, streaked, or smeared or black or cyan is missing, continue to the next step to check the estimated ink levels.

Step 5: Check estimated ink levels and replace any low or empty ink cartridges

Check estimated ink levels to see if any ink cartridges are critically low or empty. Replace any critically low or empty ink cartridges.

If no ink cartridges are critically low or empty, continue to the next step.

note:

For detailed instructions for your printer model, go to HP Customer Support. Type your printer model, then search for the document to "Replace Ink Cartridges".

If replacing any low or empty ink cartridges does not resolve the issue, clean the printhead.

Step 6: Clean the printhead or ink cartridge

Cleaning the printhead or ink cartridge often resolves alignment issues and helps resolve print quality problems at the same time. HP offers two general inkjet printhead designs: the Integrated Printhead (IPH) is integrated into the ink cartridge, and the Individual Ink Cartridges (IIC) has a printhead built into the printer.

Your printer comes with an automated tool to clean the printhead. There are several ways to access the tool, depending on your printer and the software you are using.

Run the cleaning test using one of the following methods that works for your printer and wait until the test completes.

• If your printer has a display, go to the Settings or Tools menu to find and run printhead or ink cartridge cleaning.

• In HP Print Assistant for Windows, find and run the cleaning test from the Maintain Your Printer section.

• In HP Solution Center for Windows, find and run the cleaning test from the Printer Toolbox.

• In the HP Printer Utility for Mac, find and run the cleaning test from the Information and Support panel.

If the issue persists, try to clean the cartridges using this link: https://support.hp.com/in-en/product/hp-envy-4510-all-in-one-printer-series/7588794/model/7709715/do... and follow Step 13: Manually clean the area around the ink nozzles.

Keep me posted, how it goes!

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the Accepted Solution and Kudos buttons, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Have a great day!

Cheers:)