Office Jet 3830 adds lines when copying

[Woodworker10]

My Office Jet 3830 recently started printing 2 parallel lines on the output copy when copying.  I have done all of the Virtual HP  recommended fixes, but the solid lines still appear vertically on the copy.  How do I fix this?

[Rachel571 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Woodworker10 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

If your HP OfficeJet 3830 is producing copies with vertical lines, it could be due to a few potential issues. Here are some troubleshooting steps to help resolve the problem:

1. Clean the Scanner Glass

• Power Off the Printer: Turn off the printer and unplug it.
• Wipe the Glass: Use a lint-free cloth and a glass cleaner (or water) to clean the scanner glass thoroughly. Pay close attention to the area where the lines appear, as dust or smudges can cause this issue.
• Clean the White Strip: Don’t forget to clean the white strip (also known as the "strip" or "document feeder glass") located next to the scanner glass.

2. Check for Obstructions

• Inspect the scanner area for any paper or debris that could be causing the lines. Ensure that the scanner mechanism can move freely.

3. Run the Printer Self-Test

• Print a self-test or diagnostic page to check if the lines appear during normal printing. This will help determine if the issue is with copying or printing in general.

4. Check Ink Levels

• Low ink levels or clogged print heads can also cause print quality issues. Check the ink levels in the printer and replace any low cartridges.

5. Perform a Print Head Cleaning

• Use the printer's maintenance menu to perform a print head cleaning. This can help clear any clogs that might be causing the issue.

6. Reset the Printer

• Sometimes, a simple reset can resolve glitches. Turn off the printer, unplug it for about 60 seconds, then plug it back in and turn it on.

7. Update Firmware

• Check for any available firmware updates on the HP website. Keeping your printer's firmware up to date can help resolve various issues.

8. Check Copy Settings

• Ensure that the settings you are using for copying are appropriate and that there are no additional settings that might be affecting the output.

9. Test with Different Media

• Try copying on different types of paper to rule out any issues with the paper itself.

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

[Woodworker10]

After completing the 9 items listed in Rachel571's response I still had the problem.  So, I began going through the list again.  Getting to Item #1 and the 3rd bullet I used a very strong LED light and a powerful magnifying lens.  I saw two very tiny specs on the ADF document feeder glass in the approximate location of the two lines.  After 5 minutes or so of scrubbing them with a microfiber cloth and some 70% isopropyl alcohol the two tiny dots disappeared.  I ran a test copy through the ADF, and the lines disappeared from the copy.  Item resolved!!  Thank you Rachel571!!  I would never have seen the two tiny specks attached to the document feeder glass with the extra strong light and the use of a high-powered magnifying glass.