Skewed printer output

[Peter2144]

I have had my HP Envy 5530 for about 30 months and it has always worked. Recently it started printing skewed output (more notably on photo paper), i.e 15 degrees to right at top. I have always used HP paper, photo paper and cartridges.  I removed the machine from my Windows 10 system, unplugged the machine, took off the cartridges and left it for 2 hours. Reconnected, put the cartridges back again and re-aligned used Align Tool and put it back into the system. No difference.  Tried it three times and am in dispair ! Anyone out there who can help ? Is it a hardware problem with the printer or driver update gone wrong?

[Jeet_singh]

Hi @Peter2144,

Thanks for engaging in HP support Forums! This is a wonderful location to converse with the community, get assistance and find tips! I understand you are having issues while printing from your HP Envy printer. Don't worry as I have a few suggestions which should help you resolve this issue.

To provide you with an accurate solution, I'll need a few more details:

Have you recently made any changes on the printer before the issue started?

Have you tried to clean the ink cartridge contacts?

Are you able to make  a copy from the printer?

In the meantime, let's try these steps here: 

Perform a Hard reset on the printer and make sure that the printer is connected directly to the wall outlet and not to the surge protector.

Remove all the ink cartridges and then try to perform a hard reset on the printer.

With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer and also unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.

Remove USB cable, if present.

Wait for 2-3 minutes, press and hold the power button on your printer for about 30 seconds to remove any additional charge.

Now plug back the power cable straight to a wall outlet without any surge protector or an extension cord and then plug back the power cord to the printer.

Turn on the printer and wait till warm-up period finishes and the printer is idle.

Now insert the ink cartridges and then try to print a test page and check if it works.

Let’s first try and make a “photocopy” to determine whether the issue is with the printer or not. Place a document on the scanner glass and choose “Copy” option. If the printer is making a good copy, then the printer hardware is fine.

If the copy comes out bad, I would suggest you follow the steps suggested in the support document for - HP ENVY, DeskJet Printers - Fixing Poor Print Quality

If the copy comes out fine, I would suggest here is to uninstall and reinstall the printer drivers.

First, unplug the USB cable from the printer if present.

Go to Control panel – Programs and feature – Select all the HP Envy printer entries and uninstall them.

Now go to Control panel – Devices and printer – Select all the printer entries and remove the device.

Press the "windows key" + "r" to get the "Run" window open - Type "printui.exe /s" (There is a space between .exe & /) and press enter.

Under print server properties, go to drivers - remove any entry there as well.

Again, go to the Run window, type – “c:/programdata” – Go to Hewlett Packard folder, remove any printer related folders & files.

Restart your computer.

Now click on this link: https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-envy-5530-e-all-in-one-printer-series/5304881 (Please select the Operating system and version of Windows before downloading and installing the printer drivers).

Connect the USB cable if prompted and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Please let me know if this resolves the issue, or if you require further assistance!

Eagerly waiting for your response!

I hope you have a good day ahead,

And Feel free to ask your queries as this forum has some of the best people in the world available and ready to help.

Regards,

[Peter2144]

Got as far as photocopy - the A4 output was good. Tried photo copy of 10x15 print - again good. So I tried a photo copy from a file on my PC - again the photo was skewed. So I went ahead with the removal and reinstall of the 5530 driver. 

1. Went to Programs and feature all HP Envy printer entries and uninstalled them. Note I left HP's other software in place as I also have a 4500 printer (removed it from Devices for the moment in Settings)

2. Devices and printers  - removed  5530 

3. Got "Run" up and ran "printui.exe /s". Selected Drivers. 5530 was present - tried to remove it but got message to say it was in use. Printer was unpluuged! 

4. So I rebooted (yes that is what I call it - am retired but used to be a systems analyst on a Cray) and got the same result.

Any idea ?

Peter

[Peter2144]

1. Went ahead anyway with c:/programdata and removed the HP folder and contents

2. Rebooted and used link to download and install software and driver (hopefully replaced)

3. Seemed OK and did all the necessary checks - all well 

4 Tried 10x15 photo prinr from file on computer - again skewed

Am now wondering if the HP photo paper is charged ! Will try other  make next !

[Jeet_singh]

Hi @Peter2144,

Thanks for the update,

As you mentioned, please go ahead and try using a different photo paper and check how it performs.

Please take your time and get back to me with the results,
 
I'll be awaiting your response and would be glad to help.
 
Feel free to post your query for any other assistance as well,
It's been a pleasure interacting with you and I hope you have a good day ahead.
 
If you wish to show appreciation for my efforts, mark my post as Accepted Solution.
And click on the Purple Thumbs up icon at the bottom of my comment. 

Regards,

[Peter2144 · Accepted solution]

Well well ! I got photo papaer from a local stationary shop - not HP photo paper. The paper was thinner than HP's own. And would you believe it - the photo came out much better - not skewed. Tried HP photo paper again - skewed. I suspect the middle two wheels in the printer and not properly matched and consequently one side is gripping the paper better than the other. So it is a hardware problem. I suspect I will not be able to mend it - having it serviced is not an option. It is cheaper to buy a new printer! I now remember I had originally used HP's Advanced Photo Paper (250 g/m3) and had started using HP's Premium Plus (300 g/m3) which is heavier and thicker. Both are said to be 'Works with All Inkjet Printers' which is questionable. So a wasted supply of ink and something like 50 bad prints! Thanks for you help anyway.