HP Envy does not print alignment page after having change b/w ink cartridge

[MBernhard]

I changed the b/w ink cartridge of my HP Envy 4500 printer and it asked me to put blank white paper to print the alignment page.

I fed the printer with blank white paper and hit continue, but from there nothing more happens with the printer!

It says "Printing alignment page..." but does not really do anything. I am also unable to cancel that process.

I have to hold the "Power" button for several seconds to switch off the printer again.

Whenever I switch it on again, the printer tries to continue printing the alignment page and I am stuck.

I cannot exit that cycle and my printer with a brand new b/w ink cartridge (HP Original) and the color cartridge still 80% full has become useless!

How can I use my printer again?

[Raj2111]

Hi @MBernhard 

Welcome to the HP support community.
 

It sounds like your HP Envy 4500 printer is stuck in an alignment cycle, and you're unable to exit it. This is a relatively common issue when replacing ink cartridges, and it can often be resolved with a few troubleshooting steps. Here's a guide to help you break the cycle and get your printer back to normal.

Step 1: Check the Ink Cartridges

• Ensure the cartridges are properly seated
• Verify the cartridges: .

Step 2: Reset the Printer

1. Turn off the printer.
2. Unplug the power cord from the back of the printer and from the wall outlet.
3. Wait for about 1 minute to allow the printer's memory to clear.
4. Plug the printer back in and turn it on.
5. Try printing again to see if the printer proceeds beyond the alignment page.

Step 3: Clear the Print Queue

1. Cancel the print job from your computer (if it's not already canceled).
   • On Windows: Go to Devices and Printers, right-click on the HP Envy 4500 icon, and select See what's printing. Cancel any stuck jobs in the print queue.
   • On Mac: Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, select the printer, and cancel any pending jobs.
2. Restart the Printer after canceling the print jobs.

Step 4: Perform a Printer Reset (Restore Factory Defaults)

1. Turn on the printer.
2. Press the "Setup" button (the gear icon).
3. Navigate to Printer Maintenance > Restore Defaults or Restore Factory Defaults (this option may vary depending on your printer model).
4. Confirm the reset, and then try printing again.

Step 5: Check the Alignment Page Process

• If the printer is asking for blank paper, make sure the paper you're using is clean, flat, and properly loaded in the tray.
• If the printer doesn't print the alignment page even after feeding blank paper, it could be that the printer isn't detecting the paper correctly. Try using non-glossy plain paper and reload it into the paper tray. Be sure the paper guide is snug against the paper.

Step 6: Try a Manual Alignment (If Stuck in Alignment Mode)

1. Open the printer’s front cover (where the ink cartridges are).
2. Check if the printer is attempting to align the cartridges. If the cartridge carriage is stuck, gently move it to ensure it's not obstructed.
3. You may need to manually cancel the alignment:
   • Hold down the "Cancel" button (if available) or press "Power" for 10 seconds to reset the printer.
   • If it still insists on alignment, try disconnecting the printer from the computer (if connected via USB) and only use the printer’s own control panel to exit the cycle.

Step 7: Uninstall and Reinstall Printer Drivers (If Connected to Computer)

1. Uninstall the printer drivers from your computer (Windows or Mac) through Control Panel or System Preferences.
2. Reinstall the latest printer drivers from HP’s official website: HP Envy 4500 drivers.

I hope this helps! Keep me posted.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
 

-Regards
Raj-HP Support