Too dark prints

[PepperRS]

I've seen a number of people posting this issue, and have tried all the fixes. I am only using genuine HP zinc paper. The firmware is all up to date, I have reset the printer, and run the orange print quality card a number of times. 

Prints still come out incredibly dark and with a blue tint. I have attached the original and the print (although camera has compensated and made the print even seen lighter than it is)

 

 

[Nal_NR]

Hi @PepperRS,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd like to help!

To be able to answer you effectively, we need some information.

May I have the exact product name and number? Refer to this document for steps to find the product details. Do not share any of your personal information such as serial, phone number, email ID, etc.

[PepperRS]

Hiya

I have a Sprocket Select Photo Printer

Model no: HPISPSLE

Let me know if you need any more details from me

Thanks!

[Nal_NR]

Hi @PepperRS,

Thanks for sharing the details.  

If you are having issues with unexpected print quality, such as pink or faded hues, or discoloration, there are many different things you can do to improve the quality of your printouts. Please try the following steps, and let me know if they worked for you!

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 HP ZINK® Sticky-Backed Photo Paper for best results. HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP ZINK® Photo Paper. If you do not use genuine HP ZINK® Photo Paper, the steps in this document might not resolve the issue.

Step 2: Charge the printer

A low battery can cause poor print quality. Check the printer battery level using the HP Sprocket app to determine if the printer needs to be charged.

1. On your mobile device, open the HP Sprocket app.
2. Tap the Menu icon , and then tap your printer in the list.

The printer information screen displays.

1. 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 printer.

The printer is fully charged when the Indicator light is solid and green.

1. After the printer is fully charged, try to print.

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

Step 3: Upgrade the printer firmware

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

1. Make sure the printer 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 your printer in the list.

The printer information screen displays.

1. Look for a printer 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 printer firmware is up to date. Continue to the next step.
2. After updating the printer firmware, try to print.

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

Step 4: Clean the output rollers

Dirt and debris on the output rollers can cause print quality issues. Use the blue HP ZINK® Smartsheet from the same pack of photo paper currently in the printer to clean the output rollers.

NOTE: To avoid print quality issues, do not use an HP ZINK® Smartsheet from a different pack of HP ZINK® Sticky-Backed Photo Paper. Each pack contains one blue HP ZINK® Smartsheet that calibrates the printer to provide the best print quality for each specific pack.

1. Turn off the printer.
2. Remove the top cover by sliding it away from the output slot, and then set it aside.
3. Remove the stack of photo paper from the input tray, and then inspect the photo paper. Discard any wrinkled or curled photo paper.
4. Place the Smartsheet in the input tray with the bar code facing down, and then reload the stack of photo paper with the print side facing up.
5. Align the top cover with the tracks on the outside of the printer, and then slide the top cover toward the output slot until it is firmly seated.
6. Turn on the printer.
7. Send a print job.

The printer calibrates and cleans the output rollers with the blue HP ZINK® Smartsheet, 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.
• Allow the printer a few minutes to cool down between print jobs.

When the printer becomes too warm, a "Cooling down... Sprocket needs to cool down before printing another job. Wait to send another photo." message might display on the HP Sprocket app. 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.
• Use the editing features in the HP Sprocket app to adjust brightness and contrast to improve photo quality before printing.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[Nal_NR]

Hi @PepperRS,

Thanks for sharing the details.  

If you are having issues with unexpected print quality, such as pink or faded hues, or discoloration, there are many different things you can do to improve the quality of your printouts. Please try the following steps, and let me know if they worked for you!

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 HP ZINK® Sticky-Backed Photo Paper for best results. HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP ZINK® Photo Paper. If you do not use genuine HP ZINK® Photo Paper, the steps in this document might not resolve the issue.

Step 2: Charge the printer

A low battery can cause poor print quality. Check the printer battery level using the HP Sprocket app to determine if the printer needs to be charged.

1. On your mobile device, open the HP Sprocket app.
2. Tap the Menu icon , and then tap your printer in the list.

The printer information screen displays.

1. 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 printer.

The printer is fully charged when the Indicator light is solid and green.

1. After the printer is fully charged, try to print.

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

Step 3: Upgrade the printer firmware

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

1. Make sure the printer 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 your printer in the list.

The printer information screen displays.

1. Look for a printer 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 printer firmware is up to date. Continue to the next step.
2. After updating the printer firmware, try to print.

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

Step 4: Clean the output rollers

Dirt and debris on the output rollers can cause print quality issues. Use the blue HP ZINK® Smartsheet from the same pack of photo paper currently in the printer to clean the output rollers.

NOTE: To avoid print quality issues, do not use an HP ZINK® Smartsheet from a different pack of HP ZINK® Sticky-Backed Photo Paper. Each pack contains one blue HP ZINK® Smartsheet that calibrates the printer to provide the best print quality for each specific pack.

1. Turn off the printer.
2. Remove the top cover by sliding it away from the output slot, and then set it aside.
3. Remove the stack of photo paper from the input tray, and then inspect the photo paper. Discard any wrinkled or curled photo paper.
4. Place the Smartsheet in the input tray with the bar code facing down, and then reload the stack of photo paper with the print side facing up.
5. Align the top cover with the tracks on the outside of the printer, and then slide the top cover toward the output slot until it is firmly seated.
6. Turn on the printer.
7. Send a print job.

The printer calibrates and cleans the output rollers with the blue HP ZINK® Smartsheet, 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.
• Allow the printer a few minutes to cool down between print jobs.

When the printer becomes too warm, a "Cooling down... Sprocket needs to cool down before printing another job. Wait to send another photo." message might display on the HP Sprocket app. 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.
• Use the editing features in the HP Sprocket app to adjust brightness and contrast to improve photo quality before printing.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[PepperRS]

As I mentioned in my original post I had seen this advice on other posts and followed all of it without seeing any visible improvement. Please advise if there is anything else I can do 

[Nal_NR]

Hi @PepperRS,

We are sorry that the issue is not resolved when the above troubleshooting steps were performed.

This might require one on one interaction to fix the issue

I've sent you a private message with further instructions. In order to access your private messages, click the private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your profile Name or simply click on this link.

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the Accepted Solution button, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!