Printer suddenly stopped printing

[BillyBob2017]

The device was working fine a few weeks ago but last night just stopped reading the cartridges and refused to print anything. There was no warning at all it just did it. Help!

[RichAnt]

Hello BillyBob,

You say "a few weeks ago" (since using the printer).  So the nozzles on the ink cartridges have likely dried.  To avoid this, you should print a page (with color) occasionally (monthly). 

Cleaning the cartridges may help.  Please reply if solved (or not); for other solutions.

If any step solves the problem, then forgo any further steps.

Are the cartridges empty.  If you don't have a link on a display panel, you can find ink levels in the Printer Assistant.

To clean cartridges, (as discussed in Step 10 in next link)

- Load letter or A4 unused plain white paper into the input tray. (10 sheets for testing)

- Look for the Printer Assistant, on your desktop (it looks like the printer on the taskbar at the bottom of screen). 

- If not, then in Windows 10, Click Start (lower left on screen), scroll down to HP and select the printer icon with the 3630 label. 

-In Printer Assistant, click Print and Scan, click Maintain Your Printer and Device Services.

- Click Clean Cartridges.  Follow the on-screen instructions.

You can do it 2 or 3 times if needed.

If the above does not help, try manually cleaning the print heads (Step 13 in the next link)  Entitled Manually clean area around nozzles (not the nozzles themselves)..

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c04626903 

Be sure to let moisture dry before reinstalling.   Work one at a time, so they get reinstalled quickly.

I am not an HP employee; searching for answers for queries.

Here is your on-screen User Guide.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04649694

[BillyBob2017]

Hi Rich, thanks for the detailed reply but it definitely isn't the cartridges being dry. I suspect that there has been a firmware update that stops the printer from using third party products, and I need some help in getting that functionality back.

[RichAnt]

Hello again BillyBob,

We pose specific causative factors and provide detailed solutions for these issues.  When troubleshooting, if at any point the problem fixes; forgo any further steps.  It helps by detailing what have you tried - cleaning cartridges, checking ink levels, etc.  

You could be correct that the printer's software/firmware is not up to date.  One such factor is that Windows 10 has been updating the Windows Operating System during the last few weeks and it has been known to cause problems that could be resolved by downloading the printer's software.  So you could immediately go to (**) below, if you wish.

You mention "stops the printer from using 3rd party products."  I don't understand.  The printer's software/firmware is downloaded onto the Win 10 device (computer?).  Then the printer should perform all functions; as you say that it had been fine a few weeks ago.

The cartridge issue  is cleaning the printhead, - not if the ink DRIED OUT inside the cartridge. 

You have not detailed if any of the pointers in the earlier link has solved your issue, since you havent detailed herein.  

Important considerations include: using original HP cartridges, print a diagnostics page, manually clean around the nozzles, etc.  Did anyone change the Print Settings (Step 4); it could be a factor.  I can advise on that.

Here is that link again:  https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c04626903

Run the Print and Scan Doctor  (click on Using HP Diagnostics in the next link) .  Any results?

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-deskjet-3630-all-in-one-printer-series/7172306/model/7599657...   (this link comes from the next one, wherein you can download the HP software/drivers.

(**) If you would like to try software download again, we have specific steps:  a Printer Reset first and then uninstall followed with downloading software.

1) Do a Reset thus:

-Turn the printer on, if it is not already on.

-Wait until the printer is idle and silent before you continue.

-With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.

-Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.

-Wait at least 60 seconds.

-Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet.  Turn on if needed.  Any results?

2) If no improvement lets do a complete uninstall by using this REVO uninstaller (free) program (next link).  In the window that opens, left click once to highlight any relating to the 3632 printer.  Then at the top of the page click uninstall.  https://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html

3) Install the full feature software from this link (click Software and Drivers > Go > Download): 

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-deskjet-3630-all-in-one-printer-series/7172306/model/7599657...

Let my know if any success (or not) and good luck.

[BillyBob2017]

Hi There

I have tried:

1) Cleaning the cartridges

2) Removing and reseating the cartridges

3) Updating the software

4) Uninstalling and reinstalling the software

5) Running the HP print doctor program

6) Cycling the power to the printer

In addition, this morning I installed Revo, uninstalled any software to do with the printer and then reinstalled it. The cartridge lights are still blinking to show that they are empty even though they are nearly full, and when I try to print a diagnostic page or clean the cartridges I get the message that the printer is busy.

I appreciate that you are helping and trying to to through a step by step process but I have already done this. It isn't anything to do with the heads being dirty, this is a trick that HP use over and over again to stop consumers chosing who to buy their ink from. The irony is that I can't even sign up to instant ink now as I can't get the printer to print a page with the WPS PIN on it as the printer won't print!!!!!!! All I want to do is continue using the printer as I did in the past, why is that too much to ask?

[BillyBob2017]

I guess I'm not going to get an answer here, same as with facebook and other methods. It's a shame as I've been using HP products for some 20 years now but I won't tolerate being treated like this.

If someone else put a program on my computer that stopped me from doing something, and said I could only get that use back by paying them money, it would be called ransomware. How is HPs behaviour different? Spoiler alert, it isn't.

[RichAnt]

Hello again BillyBob,

Until right now, I have not reviewed recent responses such as yours - thanks for your 11/1 reply with a  very complete detail of your attempts.  Good work.  On that, what did the Print and Scan Doctor have to report.  

I haven't asked, is the printer under warranty?  You haven't said if you have attempted to call HP customer support.  I have their contact info.

This link will detail printing a Self-Test Page, which may show that you have a hardware problem and it's broken.  Please reply and I'll check back frequently for results.  Thanks.  

https://support.hp.com/ph-en/document/c04617078  DeskJet 3630, 3700, 4720 Printers - Printing Self-Test Pages

Re-reading, I see lots of tiny  bits of important info.  You mention Instant Ink; are you CURRENTLY ENROLLED?

I notice where you say:  "stop consumers chosing who to buy their ink from"  and "update that stops the printer from using third party products;" from which I surmise you are not using Original HP Ink as is advised by the Help pages.  

When did you last replace cartridges?  Was it in relation to as you said on 10/27 that "last night ... stopped reading the cartridges."  I don't understand what that means, is there an error code or message to that effect?   There's lots of other fixes for your problem if  it is simply "doesn't print"   as you also  state.

You provide lots of good info, but have you done ALL of the steps in the earlier link, such as checking ink levels.  You could purchase brand new cartridges ( I know it's good money after bad).  Here  is that link again.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c04626903 Fixing Poor Print Quality

I again point out that I am a volunteer and not an HP employee.