HP Smart Tank Plus 651 Missing Lines while Printing

[SSSSSS55SSSSSSS]

Hello, I have a Smart Tank Plus 651. I've had it for about 2 years and I've maybe used it 5 or 6 times to print a page or 2. It almost always misses lines while printing. I have a good amount of ink, I've gone through the procedure of aligning and cleaning the printheads. Now it is out of warranty and HP will not talk to me. This is not at all what I expected from a $500 printer and I most definitely will not be buying anything made by HP again. What can I do to fix this in the meantime before I leave it on the side of the road? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[Nal_NR]

Hi @SSSSSS55SSSSSSS,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd like to help!

If the printer is not used on a regular basis or not printing often may lead the ink to dry. 

However, follow the steps mentioned below and see how it goes. 

Step 1: Check ink levels and fill ink tanks

Low ink levels can impact print quality. Refill any tanks that are low on ink.

HP recommends that you use genuine HP ink. HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP ink. If you do not use genuine HP ink and HP printheads, the steps in this document might not resolve print quality issues.

NOTE:

Using non-HP ink contaminates any genuine HP ink added later. Because ink remains in the printhead when the ink is changed, the contaminated ink can remain in the system and affect print quality.

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

On the control panel, touch the Ink icon .

Estimated ink levels display.

Fill any tanks that are low on ink.

For more information, go to Refilling Ink Tanks.

Print another page. If the print quality is unacceptable, continue to the next step.

Step 2: Make sure you are using the correct paper for your print job

Use the following guidelines to make sure the paper you are using matches the print job. If it is not, reload the printer with the correct paper type.

Load the paper print side down in the input tray. Many papers have printing and nonprinting sides, such as photo paper and envelopes. Usually, the smoother side is the "print side," and sometimes the non-print side has a logo of the paper manufacturer on it.

Do not use wrinkled or curled paper. Use only clean, wrinkle-free paper.

Use the correct paper type for your project.

For everyday text documents, plain paper with ColorLok technology works well. Paper with ColorLok technology is industry-standard paper that works well with HP ink.

For documents with dense printing, such as high-contrast graphics or photos, use HP Advanced Photo Paper for best results.

Some paper might not absorb ink as well as others. If your prints smear easily, make sure you are using a recommended paper.

Store photo paper in its original packaging inside a resealable plastic bag. Store the paper on a flat surface in a cool, dry place. Load 10-20 sheets of photo paper only when you are ready to print, and then put the unused paper back in the packaging.

Try using a different paper. This determines if the problem is related to the paper.

Print another page. If the print quality is unacceptable, continue to the next step.

Click here for the remaining steps.

Update the firmware by selecting the current OS: Click here

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
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