Printer stuck on "load plain white paper"

[Zamalek1]

I have installed a new hp printer cartridge.  The printer is now stuck on this message:

"Alignment recommended. Load plain white paper in tray, then touch OK to start alignment."

When I click "okay" nothing happens.  When I click "later" I get an error message.

I have tried turning off and restarting the printer and my laptop multiple times.  I have run HP Print and Scan Doctor but it can't fix the problem!

I'd appreciate any suggestions!

[Dragon-Fur]

@Zamalek1 

Printer wants an alignment page printout placed on the printer glass.

The how-to is included in the Print Quality Troubleshooting document.

Known solutions, presented in the order to be completed / considered:

Black or Color Ink Not Printing, Other Print Quality Issues

Step 12: Align the printer

Aligning the ink cartridges correctly aligns the printhead with the printer. Align the printer from the printer control panel, then evaluate the results.

1. Make sure to load the input tray with plain, white paper.
2. On the printer control panel, swipe the display to the left, and then touch Setup.
3. Touch Tools.
4. Swipe up on the display, then touch Align Printer.
   An alignment page prints.
5. Wait for the alignment page to fully eject from the printer.

   note:

   Before a print job, the printer automatically extends the output tray extender. Do not push in the output tray extender until the print job is complete.

6. Lift the scanner lid.
7. Place the alignment page with the print side down on the scanner glass. Position it according to the engraved guides around the glass.
8. Close the scanner lid, then touch OK
   The printer aligns the ink cartridges.
9. Try to print again.
   • If these steps resolved the issue, you can stop troubleshooting.
   • If the printout shows track marks or smears, continue to the next step to manually clean the area around the ink nozzles.
   • If these steps did not resolve the issue, and the printout does not show track marks or smears, skip to the step to replace the problem ink cartridge.

   Printer  Home Page - References and Resources – Learn about your Printer  - Solve Problems

    “Things that are your printer”

   NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

   Categories:  Alerts, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, User Guides / Manuals, Product Information (Specifications), more

   When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

   HP OfficeJet 4650 All-in-One Printer series 

   Thank you for participating in our HP Community.

   We are a world community of volunteers dedicated to supporting HP technology

   Click Thumbs Up on a post to show appreciation for the help.

   Answered? Click "Accept as Solution" to help others find a solution.

[Zamalek1]

Thanks so much for your response.  The printer won't print the alignment page.  I just get an error message.  

I can print, but I can't copy or scan anything.  This has never happened in the 3 years I've had this printer.  Any more advice?

[Dragon-Fur]

@Zamalek1 

You are welcome.

Remove all the paper from the tray - gently flex (do not fan) the paper, replace in the tray.

Check / Adjust / Retain the Paper at the Printer Display Panel

Open Printer Tray,

If you have not yet done so, add desired paper type

Close Tray

IF applicable for your printer:

Look for a message on the Printer Control / Display Panel,

Click Modify (wording varies), set the paper size and type, Click OK

NOTE:  If the size of the Paper Size is not in the Drop-down menu, Select Custom (likely the last selection in the list)

Set the Preferences - Windows

1. Check / enable the printer as the “Default Printer”

Settings > Devices > Printers and scanners

UNCHECK (clear box) Let Windows manage my default printer

Select (Left-Click) your printer from the list of printers > Manage > Set as Default

1. Select and adjust settings in each category for the Media (kind of paper), source (tray), and paper size.

Settings > Devices > Printers and scanners

Left-Click on (your) Printer > Manage > Printing Preferences

Next

Tab Printing Shortcuts > Click / Highlight your preferred shortcut > Click Apply > Click OK to exit

NOTE - Make changes to a Shortcut

• Select a shortcut and adjust the settings for paper, source (tray), other settings
• If there is a More > section, check / adjust settings in the sub-sections > Click OK to save sub-menu changes
• If supported, save the edited shortcut or use “Save As” or “Create Custom Shortcut” to save under a new name
• Click OK to save the setup

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No Joy?

Next, remove all the cartridges and starting over with loading the ink cartridge set:

Replacing Ink Cartridges

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No Joy?

Scan and Copy use the same mechanical parts of the printer.

Both of the following documents are similar and provide what can be done...

The Printer Restart might take care of it.

Leave the printer unplugged for a good three minutes instead of 60 seconds...

 Improving Scan Quality

and

Resolving Copy Problems

The following repeats of much of what you will have tried  - take a quick look to see if it includes any missed magic.

An 'Out of Paper' error displays, printer does not pick paper

Source of the documents included in this Solution:

Printer  Home Page - References and Resources – Learn about your Printer  - Solve Problems

 “Things that are your printer”

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories:  Alerts, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, User Guides / Manuals, Product Information (Specifications), more

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

HP OfficeJet 4650 All-in-One Printer series 

Thank you for participating in our HP Community.

We are a world community of volunteers dedicated to supporting HP technology

Click Thumbs Up on a post to show appreciation for the help.

Answered? Click "Accept as Solution" to help others find a solution.