Printer test page is fine but actual documents dont print correctly

[Aixue]

When i print a quality or test page the ink seems to be running fine but whenever i print an actual document it skips lines. I havent used it in a few weeks and i cleaned out the cartridge as well which seems to be ok. Its happened before but it eventually started printing solid. Now theres a shadow of purple behind the black and also skipping lines when i print a document.

[RichAnt]

Hello Aixue,  Here's some ideas.  Please respond if any help (or not).

 Possibly the black cartridge is low, if so replace (see **).  Have you checked the ink levels? (see ##)  Are you using genuine HP original (not refilled) ink?  Cartridge may be defective.  Does this occur after a recent new ink cartridge installation?  Have you tried removing and reinstalling several times?  How old is the printer, it could be wearing out. 

Probably you haven,t updated the printer's software on your computer, recently.  It seems odd, but that could be the problem.  In the following link, click on software and drivers, click Go, click download. It will provide the most recent software.  Are you wireless or wired connection?

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-envy-5530-e-all-in-one-printer-series/5304881/model/5304882/...

Here's some problem solving tips, in this link:  HP ENVY, DeskJet Printers - Color or Black Ink Not Printing. 

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03765731

HP ENVY, DeskJet Printers - Fixing Poor Print Quality

https://support.hp.com/sg-en/document/c03743678

**  If you are enrolled in HP Instant Ink, they may actually do a lousy job - not be timely sending out replacements.  If so, you should call their Service to find out What's UP?  Contact I.Ink Service customer support at 1-855-785-2777

## Check ink levels from the front Home screen, touch the Ink icon to display the estimated ink levels.

So, you may have noticed in the links that the cleaning process includes repeating it.  Not using the printer frequently could dry out the ink; maybe run a test print occasionally?

Finally, is your printer pretty old (reviews are 2013 -2016)?  If it's become troublesome, there are inexpensive models available.  HP 5540 $64 @ Walmart.  HP 4520 $58 @ Amazon.   I use HP envy 5660, which is on sale periodically ($94 @ Amazon).  I am not an employee of HP nor of any retailer.

[Aixue]

Hello RichAnt, thank you for your response. I figured out that it was my colored ink that was the problem. I ended up taking out the colored cartridge because it was low on ink so it switched to single cartridge printing. The printer was using the colored ink as the black ink so although my black ink was nearly full it wasnt using it. There was still a bit of fuzziness in the printing but I havent tried to update yet so I will try that later as well.