My HP 7301 fails to print in duplex mode.

[DustyGator]

My printer prints the first page correctly but the back side prints solid black! To confirm that this is not a print head / quality issue I selected to print on one side of the page and everything printed properly???

I can't find any infomation regarding this problem, so any help is greatly appreciated.

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @DustyGator,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

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

I understand your HP Smart Tank 7301 All-in-One is printing the backside of pages as solid black, especially during duplex printing. It could be due to a setting or configuration issue rather than a printhead problem. Here are some steps to troubleshoot the issue:

1. Update Printer Firmware

This issue may be caused by a firmware bug affecting duplex printing. To fix it:

• Visit the HP Smart Tank 7301 All-in-One Software and Driver Downloads | HP® Support
• Download and install the latest firmware update for your printer

2. Change Duplex Print Settings

Sometimes the driver settings can cause rendering issues:

1. Open the Print dialog from your application (e.g., Word, PDF viewer)
2. Click Printer Properties or Preferences
3. Under Print on Both Sides, choose:
   • Flip on the long edge or flip on the short edge (try both)
4. Also, try disabling “Print in grayscale” if enabled

3. Try Printing from a Different App or Device

• Try printing the same document from another app (e.g., WordPad, Adobe Reader)
• Or print from a different device (e.g., another PC or mobile via the HP Smart app)

This helps isolate whether the issue is software- or printer-related.

4. Clean the Duplexer and Rollers

If the duplexer is dirty or misaligned, it can cause strange print behavior:

• Open the rear access panel or duplexer
• Clean the rollers with a lint-free cloth and distilled water
• Let it dry and try printing again

I hope this helps.

Take care, and have an amazing day!
 

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Regards,

VikramTheGreat