My pictures where good and after printing 5, they became Dark

[Rurru]

My pictures where good and after printing 5, they became Dark

[MKazi]

@Rurru

Thank you for posting on HP Forums, MKazi is at your service. 

I understand that your HP Sprocket is printing dark pictures. I'll be glad to assist you with this case.

The quality of a printed photo is not as expected. The procedures in this document should help with dark, discolored, or faded printouts, and other print quality problems.

Step 1: Use genuine HP ZINK® photo paper

ZINK® makes custom photo paper for a variety of printers, such as Polaroid, LG, and HP. HP recommends using genuine HP ZINK® Sprocket and Sprocket Plus Photo Paper for best results. HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP photo paper. If you do not use HP ZINK® photo paper, the steps in this document might not resolve the issue.

To purchase genuine HP ZINK® photo paper, go to the HP Sprocket homepage. You can also purchase HP ZINK® photo paper through the HP sprocket app, and from other retailers.

If using genuine HP ZINK® photo paper did not resolve the issue, continue to the next step.

Step 2: Charge the Sprocket

Check the battery level using the HP sprocket app to determine if the battery needs to be charged.

1. Turn on the Sprocket.

2. On your mobile device, open the HP sprocket app.

3. Tap the Menu icon , and then tap sprocket.

4. Tap Printers, and then select your Sprocket from the list.

   The information screen displays.

5. Under the Status section, locate Battery.

   • If the battery charge is 50% or higher, continue to the next step.

   • If the battery charge is 49% or lower, charge the battery for at least 60 minutes, and then continue to the next step.

Step 3: Upgrade the Sprocket firmware

HP regularly releases firmware updates. Upgrading the firmware might resolve the issue.

1. Make sure the Sprocket is on and your mobile device is connected to the Internet.

2. On your mobile device, open the HP sprocket app.

3. Tap the Menu icon , and then tap sprocket.

4. Tap Printers, and then select your Sprocket from the list.

   The information screen displays.

5. Look for a firmware upgrade.

   • If a firmware upgrade displays, tap Get Firmware Upgrade, and then follow the on-screen prompts to complete the update.

   • If a firmware upgrade option does not display, the firmware is up-to-date. Continue to the next step.

6. After upgrading the Sprocket firmware, send a print job.

If the print quality is unacceptable, continue to the next step.
 

Step 4: Clean the Sprocket paper path rollers

Dirt and debris on the paper path rollers can cause print quality issues. Use the colored card from the same pack of HP ZINK® photo paper currently in the Sprocket to clean the paper path rollers.

   NOTE: To avoid print quality issues, do not use a colored card from a different pack of photo paper.

1. Turn off the Sprocket.

2. Remove the paper cover, and then remove any photo paper from the input tray.

3. Check the photo paper and remove any severely bent, wrinkled, or torn photo paper from the stack.

4. Reload the photo paper with the colored card on the bottom of the stack with the barcode facing down, and then replace the paper cover.

5. Turn on the Sprocket, and then send a print job.

   The Sprocket calibrates and cleans the paper path rollers with the colored card, and then prints the photo.

If the print quality is unacceptable, continue to the next step.

Step 5: Other things to try if the print quality is still unacceptable, the following tips might help improve print quality.

• Make sure images have a minimum resolution of 818 x 1258 pixels per inch (ppi) for optimal print quality. Screen-captured images from your mobile device might not have sufficient resolution for optimal print quality. See your mobile device manufacturer for more information.

• Disable the Embedded Experiences feature on the HP sprocket app. If you enabled Embedded Experiences, the print job might take longer to print and print quality might be less than expected.

  For more information, go to Print Issues after Enabling Embedded Experiences.

• Make sure the lighting is sufficient to clearly see the subject of your photo. Use the flash on your mobile device to improve the photo quality.

• Use the HP sprocket app to adjust photo contrast and brightness. On your mobile device, open the HP sprocket app, and then take or select a photo you want to print. On the print preview screen, tap Edit, and then tap the Adjustments icon . Adjust the brightness and contrast, tap the Checkmark icon  to save any changes, and then tap the Print icon  .

• Allow the Sprocket a few minutes to cool down between print jobs.

  When the Sprocket becomes too warm, a cooling down message might display on the HP sprocket app. Allow the Sprocket to cool, and then tap OK to clear the message.

• Store the photo paper in a cool, dry place and avoid contact with water. If water spills on the photo paper, wipe it away as soon as possible to prevent damaging the photo paper.

I sincerely hope this fixes the issue. Keep me posted for further assistance.

All the best!