My printer prints allignment but nothing else?

[Jolly13]

My printer just keeps printing alignment sheet and then reads printer error - just got new ink! I must have printed off about 20 alignment sheets but not what I actually need! Help cracking up and need urgently

[Max3Aj]

Hi @Jolly13,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It sounds like your HP printer is stuck in an alignment loop, which can happen if it fails to recognize the alignment process as complete. Try these steps to fix it.
 

Complete the Alignment Properly

• When the printer prints an alignment page, place it face-down on the scanner glass (top-left corner if indicated).
• Press the "Start" or "OK" button to scan the alignment page.
• Wait for the printer to confirm that alignment is complete.

If the printer still prints another alignment page, move on to the next steps.

Bypass Alignment (If Possible)

Some HP printers allow you to skip the alignment process:

• On the printer’s screen, check for a "Skip" or "Cancel" option.
• If the message keeps popping up, try pressing "X" or "Cancel" repeatedly.

Hard Reset the Printer

• Turn off the printer.
• Unplug it from power for 2-3 minutes.
• Plug it back in and turn it on.

If the printer is still printing alignment pages, try the next step.

Clean and Reinstall the Ink Cartridges

• Open the ink door and remove the cartridges.
• Check for protective tape (sometimes new cartridges still have tape on them).
• Wipe the ink nozzles gently with a lint-free cloth.
• Reinsert the cartridges firmly.
• Close the printer and restart it.

If alignment issues persist, you may need to reset the printer.

Factory Reset the Printer

A reset can clear errors causing the alignment loop. The steps vary by model, but generally:

• Press and hold the Power button and the Cancel/X button together for 10-15 seconds.
• Some models require holding WiFi + Cancel instead.
• After restarting, try printing a regular document.

Update Firmware & Software

• If you haven’t already, update the printer’s firmware via HP Smart or HP Support website.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Max3Aj

HP Support