Printing and Scanning Issue

[MARIAAAAA18]

I have a couple issues with my printer (HP Desk Jet 2842e) regarding printing and scanning.

As for printing, I am subscribed to the HP Instant Ink feature.  I have full cartages and pages left in my subscription.  When I go to print something (that is when it decides to work) the ink comes out very grey and eventually fails to print at all.  A page with text will not even print the letters in solid black, it looks like there is a white line across every sentence.

As for scanning, I tried scanning a document with the HP Smart phone and computer app and it never works.  I have connection with my printer and I am able to start the scan however once it gets to about 3/4 of the pages it just stops and quits.  If I try and restart the scan it gives me a error message on the printer (05) and the app says the printer is busy.

I have tried all the troubleshooting prompts and nothing works.  This is a fairly new printer and everything should be running well as per the diagnostic run I conducted.  However, I can't even use one function of this printer properly.  

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @MARIAAAAA18,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

I understand your HP DeskJet 2842e is having printing issues (faded/grey print and failed pages) and scanning problems (incomplete scans, error 05, printer busy). Let’s go through detailed troubleshooting steps for both issues.

1. Printing Issues (Grey/Faded Prints & Failed Pages)

a. Check Ink Cartridges

Even with HP Instant Ink, ensure cartridges are properly seated in the printer.

Remove the black and color cartridges, inspect for protective tape left on, damage, or ink leakage, then reinstall firmly.

b. Run Printer Cleaning / Printhead Alignment

From the printer control panel or HP Smart app, go to:
Printer Maintenance > Clean Printhead / Align Printhead.

This often resolves faded prints, streaks, or missing lines.

c. Check Paper Type and Print Settings

Make sure the correct paper type is selected in the print settings (plain paper vs photo paper).

Set print quality to Standard or Best for text documents.

d. Firmware Update

Open HP Smart app or EWS (Embedded Web Server) and check for firmware updates.

Updated firmware often resolves inconsistent ink flow and printing errors.

2. Scanning Issues (Stops, Error 05, Printer Busy)

a. Restart Devices & Clear Print/Scan Queue

Turn off the printer and unplug it for 30–60 seconds.

Restart your phone/computer and clear any pending print/scan jobs.

b. Check Network Connection

Ensure your printer and scanning device are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Avoid using mobile hotspot networks if possible; a stable router connection is preferred.

c. Test Scan from Printer Directly

If your DeskJet 2842e allows scan to USB, try scanning directly to a flash drive.

This tests if the issue is with the printer hardware or the HP Smart app.

d. Reinstall HP Smart and Full Drivers

Uninstall the HP Smart app from your computer and phone.

Download and install the full-feature HP driver package from HP’s website (not just HP Smart).

This can resolve connectivity or app-related scanning errors.

e. Reset the Printer

On the printer:
Settings > Printer Maintenance > Restore > Restore Factory Defaults

Reconnect to Wi-Fi and re-add the printer to HP Smart.

This clears internal settings that may be causing scan failures.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[MARIAAAAA18]

I have already tried all the troubleshooting help before leaving this comment.

I am looking for a number I can contact HP with to help with this issue.

Lat time I printed a document my printer was fine, and just recently it has been having all these issues.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @MARIAAAAA18,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

I understand your HP DeskJet 2842e printer is having both printing and scanning issues. Let’s go through a few steps to identify and resolve the problem.

1. Check Ink and Print Quality

Even with full cartridges, if prints appear faded or streaky:

Open HP Smart app → Printer Settings → Print Quality Tools → Clean Printhead.

If the issue persists, run the Clean Printhead option two or three times (allow 30 seconds between each cleaning).

Print a Quality Diagnostic Page — if you still see white lines or uneven text, the printhead might be clogged or misaligned.

Run Align Printhead under the same menu.

Tip: Avoid leaving the printer idle for long periods, as Instant Ink cartridges can dry partially if unused.

2. Verify Instant Ink Cartridge Setup

Make sure both cartridges are Instant Ink-enabled (with the HP logo and blue label).

If one of the cartridges is non-Instant Ink, the printer may restrict or degrade printing.

Disconnect the printer from power for 60 seconds, then reconnect and wait for it to sync with HP Instant Ink.

Ensure your printer is signed in with the same HP account linked to your subscription.

3. Fix Scanning Stuck or Error (05)

When scanning stops mid-way:

Restart the printer and your computer/phone.

Open HP Smart → Printer Settings → Scanner Tools → Reset Scanner (if available).

For PC:

Go to Control Panel → Devices and Printers → Right-click your printer → Start Scan.

Try a different scan resolution (150 DPI or lower).

If the error (05) appears again:

Unplug the printer while it’s ON.

Wait 60 seconds, then plug it back in — this performs a scanner carriage reset.

4. Firmware Update

Sometimes print and scan failures happen due to outdated firmware.

Open HP Smart app → Printer Settings → Advanced Settings → Tools → Printer Updates.

Install any available updates and restart the printer.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[MARIAAAAA18]

Hello, it has not.  I am unable to even print out the "Clean Printhead" because they printer will just loose connection randomly.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @MARIAAAAA18,

Thank you for the update, and I completely understand how frustrating it must be when your printer disconnects randomly and prevents even basic functions like cleaning the printhead. Since the printer is fairly new and both printing and scanning are failing intermittently, this seems like a connectivity or hardware issue rather than a user error.

Here are the next steps to try:

1. Check Connection Type

If you’re using Wi-Fi, try connecting the printer via USB cable temporarily.

This will help determine if the issue is due to network instability.

2. Power Cycle and Reset

Turn off the printer and unplug it from power.

Wait 60–90 seconds, then plug it back in and turn it on.

On HP Smart app, remove the printer and add it again.

Make sure the printer is connected to the same network as your PC or phone.
 

3. Update Firmware Offline (via USB)

If Wi-Fi is unstable, download the full firmware update from HP’s official website for DeskJet 2842e and install it via USB connection.

This can resolve intermittent print/scan failures caused by firmware glitches.

4. Run Printer Hardware Diagnostics

On the printer: Press and hold the Power + Cancel (X) buttons for ~5–10 seconds to print a diagnostic page.

Observe if the lines, streaks, or tilt appear — this helps determine if it’s a hardware defect.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,