does not format for 4x6 cards

[jhdhamilton]

there are no error messages. 

When I select paper size 4x6 the printer seems to print as though the paper size were still letter. The only print on the card is what would be overlayed by a 4x6 card on the letter page.

[DavidSMP · Accepted solution]

@jhdhamilton,

Thanks for stopping by the HP community. A very good day to you I will be glad to assist you and let’s get right to it. Fabulous description and superb diagnosis of the issue. It is amply appreciated.

Let me gather some information for better clarity to assist you correctly:

• Did it occur after a recent software or OS update?
• Did you try printing from multiple files and applications?
• Did you make 4 x 6 photocopies directly from the printer and check again?
• Is it a USB or wireless connection?

Meanwhile, I will be providing a roadmap with some troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue. Let us try these steps:

Perform a hard reset on the printer from this link: https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-photosmart-5510-e-all-in-one-printer-series-b111/5053904/mod... perform steps from the section “Step 1: Reset the printer"

• Then update the printer’s firmware by following instructions from this link: https://support.hp.com/bg-en/document/c02919168
• Use a USB cable to update the printer’s firmware.
• Make sure that all the latest Mac OS updates are completely and correctly installed on the Mac and the most current ones are updated.

Now make 2  4 x 6 photocopies directly from the printer without any communication from the Mac. if it copies correctly then perform these steps:

• Try printing from different applications and check if it prints correctly.
• Try printing different files. It could be an issue with one specific file.
• Also, check the printer settings from this link: https://support.hp.com/in-en/product/hp-envy-7640-e-all-in-one-printer-series/6617267/document/c0470... (HP Printers - Print Driver Settings Guide (Mac) and check the section "Paper type, size, and input tray settings "
• Make sure that the correct size is selected for printing.

Now check if the issue gets resolved. If it continues then perform these steps: 

perform the relevant steps from this link: https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c05635968 (HP Printers - Printing with Apple AirPrint (macOS and OS X)

• Just that when you delete the printer. Make sure to add the printer as  Apple AirPrint or Secure AirPrint and nothing else. (Don’t add it as an HP printer. This is important.)

This should fix the issue for you.

Good luck and keep me posted about the developments. If this helps, please mark this as “Accepted Solution” as it will help several others with the same issue and give the post a Kudos for my efforts to help. Thank you and have a great week ahead. 🙂

[jhdhamilton]

I cannot isolate this problem to a specific software change. There have been many changes since the last time I successfully printed to a 4x6 card.

I have tried printing from multiple applications,

   Excel is where I first noticed the problem

   Printing from Notes exhibits the same behavior

    Printing from preview exhibits same behavior

    I tried word, but find word will not let me size a document 4x6. Is it listening to the printer?

I can print a photo on 4x6 from the printer.

I can print a photo on 5x7 from preview

I am using a wireless connection

I did a hard reset on the printer.

The referenced website says there are no firmware updates for my printer.

Max OS updates are current

I used the wireless setup wizard to set uo the printer. I do not see "Airprint" as a option, but apple is using bonjour to talk to the printer.

New data. The printer will not print the "bum formatted" document (as I see it on the print preview), but tells me that the print job didn't get by the filter, that is there is no 4x6 paper in the selected tray. IT LIES! It does this for either the photo tray or the main tray.

I have spent almost 3 hours on this problem. My patience is wearing thin.

[DavidSMP]

@jhdhamilton,

I read the response and thanks for the quick reply. 

Send a screenshot or image of what is happening on the screen.

Also is it only one specific type of 4 x 6 paper that is not printing?

Check by printing with a different brand of 4 x 6 paper.

Keep me posted and thanks for your time and efforts.

[jhdhamilton]

I have learned that my statement about Word not supporting a 4 x 6 document size was incorrect.

In my defense. In the edit menu to set document size word lists options, some with check boxes, some without. I assumed no check box meant it was not an option. Bad assumption. I can print on a 4 x 6 card from word.

Upon reflection, what Notes and Excel have in common is a print dialog box which shows a preview and provides an option to specify paper size. My previous experience was that changing paper size in this dialog box worked fine and reulted in properly formatting for the reduced size document. 

In my opinion this is a serious shortcoming, but my energy for resolving this problem is somewhat reduced since I have developed a workaround. 

[DavidSMP]

@jhdhamilton,

It is great to hear from you. I am glad that you found a workaround. It may not be a feature that is incorporated with MS Word.

Thanks and have a great week ahead.