Stuttering and lack of color

[Fellow_Printer]

I have only used this printer a few times, never had an issue. It has always printed well, full color, no breaks in the image at all. However, it recently has begun doing the exact opposite as previously mentioned. I have attempted a total of 3 times to print one image in which it could not finish. The first attempt the printer stuttered bad and never finished, I had to cancel after about 10 minutes of nothing. The other two came out on their own but also did not finish. Any way to fix this? This printer is new and as mentioned only been used about 10 times. I am using HP cartridges that came with the product.

 

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Fellow_Printer,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It sounds like you're experiencing issues with your printer where it's stuttering during print jobs and producing incomplete or colorless prints. This can be frustrating, especially with a new printer. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help troubleshoot and resolve these issues:

1. Check Ink Levels and Cartridges

Verify Ink Levels:

• HP Smart App: Open the HP Smart app on your computer or mobile device and check the ink levels.
• Printer Display: If your printer has a display, it might show the ink levels in the menu.

Inspect Cartridges:

• Open Cartridge Access: Open the cartridge access door on your printer.
• Check Cartridges: Ensure that the cartridges are properly installed and that there are no protective tape strips still on the cartridges.

Replace Cartridges:

• If the ink levels are low or the cartridges are damaged, replace them with new HP cartridges.

2. Run Print Head Cleaning

Print head issues can cause stuttering and color problems. Most printers have a cleaning utility that can help:

Access Printer Utility:

• HP Smart App: Open the HP Smart app and go to Printer Maintenance or Tools.
• Printer Menu: On the printer’s control panel, go to Setup > Tools or Maintenance.

Run Cleaning Cycle:

• Clean Print Heads: Select the option to clean the print heads. This may take a few minutes.

Print a Test Page:

• After cleaning, print a test page to check if the issue is resolved.

3. Perform an Alignment

Misalignment can cause print quality issues:

Access Alignment Utility:

• HP Smart App: In the app, go to Printer Maintenance and select Align Printer.
• Printer Menu: On the printer’s control panel, go to Setup > Tools > Print Head Alignment.

Follow Instructions:

• The printer will print an alignment page. Place this page on the scanner bed if prompted and follow the on-screen instructions.

4. Check and Update Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupt drivers can affect print quality:

Update Drivers:

• HP Support Website: Visit the HP Support website and search for the latest drivers for your printer model.
• Install Updates: Download and install the latest drivers.

Reinstall Printer Software:

• Uninstall the existing printer software from your computer and reinstall it using the latest version from HP’s website.

5. Check Printer Settings and Paper

Verify Print Settings:

• Ensure that the print settings are set to the correct paper type and quality. Check the settings in the print dialog box before sending the job.

Inspect Paper:

• Use high-quality paper that is compatible with your printer.
• Ensure the paper is loaded correctly in the tray and that there are no jams.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support