HP Deskjet D4260, D4263, and D4268 Printers - Horizontal Streaks or Lines in the Printed Image

1. Many papers have printing and non-printing sides. Make sure to load the paper with the side you intend to print on facing down.
2. Make sure the paper type is appropriate for your project. For everyday documents, plain paper works well. For documents with dense printing, such as high-contrast graphics or photographs, use HP Premium paper for the best results.
3. If the steps above did not help, try a different paper. Ink may not bleed as easily on heavier weight paper. Paper that does not accept ink well is also prone to bleeding and smearing. HP inks and papers are designed to work together.

note:

If a refilled or remanufactured print cartridge, or a cartridge that has been used in another product, is installed, the ink level indicator will be inaccurate or unavailable.

1. Open the HP software:
   • Windows 8
     Right-click the Start button () or the lower left corner of the screen, click Search, type HP, and then click HP Solution Center.
   • Windows 7/Vista
     Click Start (), click All Programs, click the HP folder, and then click HP Solution Center.
   • Windows XP
     Click Start (), click Programs, click the HP folder, and then click HP Solution Center.
2. Click Settings.
3. Click Printer Toolbox.

   note:

   The Printer Toolbox can also be opened from the Print Properties dialog box. In the Print Properties dialog box, select Printing Preferences, click the Features tab, and then click Printer Services.

4. Click the Estimated Ink Levels tab.
   Figure : Estimated ink levels

   

   note:

   A cartridge might be running out of ink even if the graphic shows ink remains in the cartridge. Lines or streaks always appear in printouts when the cartridges begin to run out of ink. Replace print cartridges that are out of ink or low on ink.

   The ink levels are estimates. When the ink in print cartridges is actually low, printouts are faded or streaked. When print quality is acceptable, there is no reason to replace print cartridges. Low-ink warnings are for planning purposes only.

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.

1. In the software program you are trying to print from, click File and then click Print. The Print dialog box opens.
2. Make sure that your product is selected and then click Preferences. The Preferences dialog box opens.
3. Click the Paper/Quality tab.
   Options on the Features tab include:
   • Print quality: If you are unhappy with the quality of your printouts, try increasing the print quality. To print more quickly, try decreasing the print quality.
   • Paper Options – Type is: Click the drop-down box under Type is. If one of the options matches your paper type exactly, click it rather than Automatic.
   • Paper Options – Size is: Make sure that it matches your paper.