-
×InformationNeed Windows 11 help?Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
Windows 11 Support Center. -
-
×InformationNeed Windows 11 help?Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
Windows 11 Support Center. -
- HP Community
- Printers
- Printing Errors or Lights & Stuck Print Jobs
- quality is poor

Create an account on the HP Community to personalize your profile and ask a question
Your account also allows you to connect with HP support faster, access a personal dashboard to manage all of your devices in one place, view warranty information, case status and more.
Check some of the most frequent questions about Instant Ink: HP INSTANT INK, HP+ PLANS: INK AND TONER.
Check out our Black or Color Ink Not Printing, Other Print Quality Issues info about: Print quality and Cartridge Issues.
It has been a while since anyone has replied. Simply ask a new question if you would like to start the discussion again.
1 REPLY 1
01-27-2025 03:02 PM
Hi @CND9231F3P
Welcome to HP Support Community.
Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.
If you're experiencing poor print quality on your printer, it can be frustrating, especially if you're trying to print important documents or photos. There are a number of potential reasons why the quality might be off, and luckily, there are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and improve the print quality. Here's what you can try:
1. Check Ink or Toner Levels
- Ink or toner could be low or empty, which can lead to poor print quality. Make sure you check the ink levels or toner cartridge in your printer.
- If the cartridges are low or empty, replace them with new ones. If they’re full but the quality is still poor, sometimes cleaning or resetting them can help.
2. Run a Print Head Cleaning (for Inkjet Printers)
- If you're using an inkjet printer, the printhead could be clogged or dirty, leading to poor print quality.
- Most printers have a built-in function to clean the printhead. You can usually find this option in the printer’s maintenance or tools section in the printer settings (often accessible via the printer's control panel or through the printer software on your computer).
- Perform the cleaning cycle a few times to see if it improves the print quality.
3. Check Print Settings
- Print quality settings might be set too low. Make sure that you’re printing at the right quality level for your task:
- Go to the print settings on your computer before printing and select Best quality or High quality print settings.
- Make sure the paper type is set correctly (e.g., plain paper, glossy paper, etc.). Some printers will adjust ink usage based on the paper type selected.
4. Check Paper Quality
- Paper quality can affect the overall print quality, especially with color printing. Make sure you're using the right kind of paper for the job, especially if you’re printing photos.
- For photos, photo paper works better than plain paper.
- If the paper is damp, wrinkled, or poor quality, it can result in blotchy or faded prints.
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
.
Sneha_01- HP support
Sneha_01- HP support
Be alert for scammers posting fake support phone numbers and/or email addresses on the community.
If you think you have received a fake HP Support message, please report it to us by clicking on "Flag Post".
† The opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the authors, not of HP. By using this site, you accept the Terms of Use and Rules of Participation.
Didn't find what you were looking for?
Ask the community
† The opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the authors, not of HP. By using this site, you accept the <a href="https://www8.hp.com/us/en/terms-of-use.html" class="udrlinesmall">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="/t5/custom/page/page-id/hp.rulespage" class="udrlinesmall"> Rules of Participation</a>.