HP Envy 5542 printing issues

buddm · ‎09-05-2020

I have had this printer for 2 years and have maybe printed about 50 pages of whatever. I just replaced the color cartridge which was low even though I rarely use it and the black is about 90% full. For whatever reason, anything I try to print is faded, streaky, and barely readable. I have done all the cleaning, aligning, etc offered and nothing helps. Any thoughts or it this just not a good product after minimal use?

Nils_K · ‎09-06-2020

Hi @buddm ,

Welcome to the HP Support-Community.

Please upload an affected document here to the community. To do so, just click on the "Photos" icon at the texteditor.

Cheers!

Nils_K

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buddm · ‎09-06-2020

Nils_K · ‎09-08-2020

Hi,

Thanks for the pictures. That is definitely a problem with the black cartridge.

How old is it?

Turn the cartridge upside down for about an hour. After that time, re-insert the cartridge and try to print a black document.

If this doesn't help, try this:

Take a handkerchief and the black cartridge. Now press the cartridge like a stamp on the handkerchief for about 2-3 seconds. You should see a strong, black colored strip. Is this the case?
If there is no or very little ink on the handkerchief, moisten the handkerchief slightly and press the cartridge again, this time for about 30 seconds on it, until more ink comes out.
Afterwards, re-insert the cartridge and run a cartridge clean, if necessary.

What is the result?