HP DeskJet 3700 printers - No black ink, wrong colors, other print quality issues

Very low ink levels, using non-HP cartridges, and rough handling can cause print quality issues.

1. Replace any non-HP or refilled cartridges with genuine HP cartridges. HP supplies are available from the HP Store and local retailers.

   HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP or refilled cartridges. Go to HP Anti Counterfeiting and Fraud Program for more information.

2. Check the ink levels and replace any low or empty cartridges.

   Note:

   The printer features a 'backup mode' that enables printing with one cartridge. Remove the low or empty cartridge to continue printing if a replacement is not available. Depending on the cartridge removed, blacks will not be as dark and color prints will be in grayscale.

   

3. Rough handling of cartridges during transport or installation can cause print quality problems. Wait a few hours for the automatic servicing routine to complete, and then try to print again.

   If you have a defective HP cartridge, it might be under warranty. Go to About Original HP Cartridges for page yield and HP limited warranty information.

Use a Print Quality Diagnostic report to check if the ink cartridges need to be cleaned or if there is an alignment issue.

1. Load plain white paper in the tray.

2. Print the report from the HP Smart app or the full feature printer software.

   • Windows: Search Windows for your printer name to open HP Printer Assistant. Click Maintain Your Printer, select the Device Services tab, and then click Print Quality Diagnostics Page to print the report.

   • Mac: From the Applications > HP folder, select HP Utility. Click Print Quality Diagnostics, and then click Print to print the report.

   • Android, iOS: Go to 123.hp.com to install the HP Smart app on your device. After you add the printer, click the picture of your printer. The report is located under Printer Reports, or in Advanced Settings > Tools > Utilities > Print Quality Toolbox.

   

3. Check for issues indicated on the report, and then follow the instructions provided to resolve the issue.

Clean the printhead and cartridges to resolve print quality issues including incorrect colors, streaks, and faded prints.

1. Load plain white paper in the tray.

2. Open the HP Smart app, and then click the picture of your printer to open the settings and management tools.

3. In Print Quality Tools or in Advanced Settings > Tools > Utilities > Print Quality Toolbox, select Clean Printhead to start the cleaning tool.

4. Review the Print Quality Diagnostic page that prints for defects and any instructions to resolve the issue. Run up to two more cleaning cycles, if necessary.

Align the printheads or cartridges when you replace them, to improve print quality, or to clear an alignment error.

1. Load plain white paper in the input tray.

2. Print an alignment page.

   • Windows: Search Windows for your printer name to open HP Printer Assistant. Click Maintain Your Printer, select the Device Services tab, and then click Align Cartridges.

   • Mac: From the Applications > HP folder, select HP Utility. Click Align, and then from the Align Print Cartridges window, click Align.

   • Android, iOS: Go to 123.hp.com to install the HP Smart app on your device. After you add the printer, click the picture of your printer. Click Advanced Settings > Tools > Utilities > Print Quality Toolbox, and then click Align Cartridges > Align.

   An alignment page prints with rows of numbered boxes. Each box on the page consists of two sets of lines.

   

3. On the alignment page, find the box in row A in which the two sets of lines overlap the most, for example, A10.

   

4. In the printer software or the HP Smart app, select that box from the A drop-down list.

5. Repeat these steps for each row of boxes on the alignment page.

6. Click Done or Apply.

Make sure your print job is set up for optimal print quality results.

1. Check the paper type and condition: Make sure the paper is appropriate for the print job and in good condition.

   • Some paper might not absorb ink as well as others, causing faded or smeared prints. Plain paper with ColorLok technology works well for text and documents with graphics. For photos, use HP Advanced Photo Paper for best results.

   • Use clean, wrinkle-free paper. Wrinkled or curled paper can cause dark, horizontal defects.

2. Load paper according to the print side: Typically, the smoother or glossy side is the print side.

   • For inkjet printers with a rear load tray, load the print side facing up.

   • For inkjet printers with a front load tray, load the print side facing down.

3. Check the print job settings: From the application you are printing from, click File > Print, and then click Options, Printer Setup, or Preferences, or open the Paper Type/Quality or Media & Quality menu.

   Make sure the color, paper type, paper size, and quality settings are correct for your print job.

4. Check the quality of the photo or document: Use editing tools to improve colors, brightness, contrast, and any other appearance settings. Higher resolution photographs and graphics result in clearer prints with more accurate colors.