HP Office Jet 3830 won't print

[Dave8351]

HP Office Jet 3830 won't print.  Print cartridge moves back and forth, some but very little ink put on paper but nothing readable.  I have cleaned cartridges and printer contacts, and ran the cleaning program as well as running the alignment program to no avail.  What now? 

[Raj_05]

Hi @Dave8351,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds frustrating to deal with a printer that won't cooperate! Here are some steps you can try to troubleshoot and hopefully resolve the issue with your HP OfficeJet 3830.

• Check Ink Levels: Ensure that the ink cartridges have sufficient ink. Sometimes cartridges can run low without showing an alert.
• Verify Cartridge Installation: Make sure the cartridges are properly installed. Open the printer cover, gently remove and reseat the cartridges to ensure they are securely in place.
• Clean Printhead Manually (if possible): Some HP printers allow you to manually clean the printhead. Check your printer's manual for instructions on how to do this.
• Restart Printer: Turn off the printer, wait for about 30 seconds, and then turn it back on. This can sometimes resolve temporary communication issues.
• Update Printer Firmware: Ensure your printer has the latest firmware installed. HP often releases updates to improve printer performance and resolve bugs.
• Check for Paper Jams: Even if it doesn't seem like there's a paper jam, check all possible areas where paper could get stuck, as this can sometimes affect print quality.
• Perform Print Head Cleaning (again): Run the print head cleaning utility again. Sometimes multiple cleaning cycles are needed to clear clogged nozzles.
• Use Genuine Ink Cartridges: Ensure you are using genuine HP ink cartridges. Refilled or third-party cartridges may not work properly and can cause print quality issues.
• Try a Different Document: Sometimes the issue may be with the specific document or file you're trying to print. Try printing a different document or a test page.
• Reset Printer: As a last resort, you can try resetting the printer to its factory settings. This should be done carefully as it will reset all settings, including network configurations.

Given that you've already performed some basic troubleshooting steps, focusing on ensuring the cartridges are properly seated and attempting another printhead cleaning cycle might be the next logical steps.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support