HP F4500 printer prints PDF documents with a shadow

[Jo5050]

When I print a PDF document, everything has a shadow (gradient).  Only happens on some Excel & Word documents.  I have changed ink cartridges, run the alignment process, run the cleaning process, checked all my settings, uninstalled & reinstalled the printer driver, nothing has fixed the issue. I'm wondering if there is a setting that I am not aware of that I have changed in error.

The problem disappears if I remove either the black cartridge or the color cartridge and print in "Single Cartridge Mode", but returns as soon as i put both cartridges in the printer.

[Raj1788]

@Jo5050

Welcome to the HP Community

I suggest you do a Hard Reset on the printer

(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.

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.

Clean the cartridge from HP solution center.

1. HP Solution Center opens in a new window.

2. Click Settings ().

3. In the Print Settings area, click Printer Toolbox. The printer Toolbox opens.

4. On the Device Services tab, click Clean the Print Cartridge(s) ().

5. Click Clean to begin the process.

   NOTE: 

   Mechanical noises during the cleaning process are normal. A test page prints when the cleaning process finishes.

Update the firmware for the printer using this link: https://support.hp.com/in-en/product/hp-deskjet-f4500-all-in-one-printer-series/3944755/document/c02...

Restart the printer.

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:)