Printing

Deann47 · ‎02-12-2026

When I print anything about half way it starts to move to the side so it goes diagonal

Hawks_Eye · ‎02-15-2026

Hi @Deann47

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

I understand how frustrating it must feel to see your pages shift diagonally halfway through a print.

Let’s walk through some clear steps together to bring that smooth, straight finish back to your prints:

Step 1: Check the paper path

Open the input tray and make sure the stack of paper is aligned neatly, edges flush, and not bent or curled.
Fan the stack lightly before loading to prevent sheets from sticking together.
Adjust the paper guides so they rest snugly against the paper without pressing too tightly.

Step 2: Inspect the rollers

Power off the printer and remove the paper.
Look inside the input tray and gently wipe the rollers with a lint‑free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water.
Allow them to dry completely before reloading paper.
This helps restore grip so the paper feeds evenly.

Step 3: Use the printer’s cleaning utility

On your Windows PC, open the HP App.
Select your printer, then go to Printer Settings.
Run the Clean and Align function.
This ensures the internal feed and print alignment are recalibrated.

Step 4: Try different paper

Use fresh, good‑quality paper that matches the printer’s specifications.
Avoid thick, glossy, or specialty sheets until the issue is resolved, as they can slip more easily.

Step 5: Print a test page

From the HP App, choose Reports and print a Quality Diagnostic Page.
Observe whether the print stays straight. If it does, the cleaning and alignment have corrected the feed.

Your effort in noticing the diagonal shift and reaching out is appreciated—it shows great attention to detail. With these steps, you should feel the printer pulling paper smoothly and producing crisp, straight lines again.

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Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards,

Hawks_Eye

I'm an HP Employee.

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