This document is for the following printers: HP Deskjet 1510, 1511, 1512, 1513, 1514, 2540, 2541, 2542, 2543, 2544, 2546, 2546B, 2546P, 2546R, 2547, 2548, 2549, Deskjet Ink Advantage 1515, 1516, 1518, 2545, 2546, and 2548 All-in-One printers.
note:Rough handling at the store or during installation can cause print quality problems with newly installed ink cartridges. If you see print problems with newly installed ink cartridges, wait for a few hours for the automatic servicing routine to complete, and then try to print again.
note:To purchase paper in the United States and Canada, go to the HP Store.
note:Inappropriate, damaged, or unsupported paper can cause vertical streaks in printouts.
Examples of horizontal and vertical streaks in a printout
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If your printout contains horizontal lines or other print quality issues besides vertical streaks, continue to the next step.
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Do not replace cartridges for vertical streaks in a printout. Instead, check the paper as described earlier in this document or search for a document that covers this issue. Vertical streaks in copies can often be fixed by cleaning the scanner glass.
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note:Ink level warnings and indicators provide estimates for planning purposes only. When an indicator shows low ink levels, consider having a replacement ink cartridge available to avoid possible printing delays. You do not need to replace ink cartridges until print quality becomes unacceptable.
caution:Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or the ink nozzles. Touching these parts can result in clogs, ink failure, and bad electrical connections.
note:The printer prints an alignment page automatically only when a new ink cartridge has been installed.
Examples of defects on the test page
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Defect
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Example
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Description or cause
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Broken lines in grid patterns
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Problem with the ink nozzles
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Faded or nonuniform colors in the color blocks
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Depleted cartridges, or ink mixing together
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Track marks or ink smears in the text
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Fibers or other debris on one or both of the cartridges
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The color blocks are streaked or lined
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The cartridge might be running out of ink or the nozzles might be clogged
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One or more of the colored blocks is missing entirely
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The cartridge is out of one color of ink or the ink nozzles might be clogged.
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Windows only: If you are experiencing garbled, jumbled or illogical text, incomplete printouts, or missing text or graphics, go to Continuous Pages of Strange or Garbled Characters Print in Windows.
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caution:Do not perform these steps unless the test report specifically shows smeared text or track marks. If the report does not show this defect, skip to the next step.
caution:Do not use platen cleaners or alcohol to clean the area. These can damage the cartridge or the printer.
caution:Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or the ink nozzles. Touching these parts can result in clogs, ink failure, and bad electrical connections.
caution:Do not clean the ink nozzle plate.
note:To avoid issues that require cleaning, always turn the printer off with the Power button.
caution:Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or the ink nozzles. Touching these parts can result in clogs, ink failure, and bad electrical connections.
note:The printer prints an alignment page automatically only when a new ink cartridge has been installed.
note:Keep a print sample that shows the problem. If the ink cartridges, printhead, or printer is replaced under warranty, the support agent will request the print sample. If the printer is returned to HP, the print sample must be returned with the printer. Place the sample in the output tray when you package your printer for shipping.