solution Contentsolution Content

HP LaserJet Pro MFP - Improve copy and scan image quality

Use the information in this document to improve the quality of copies and scanned images.

If the printer is having image quality problems, try the solutions in the order presented to resolve the issue.

Try these few simple steps first:

Use the flatbed scanner rather than the document feeder.
Use high-quality originals.
When using the document feeder, load the original document into the feeder correctly, using the paper guides, to avoid unclear or skewed images.

If the problem still exists, try these additional solutions. Click the headings below to expand the sections and follow the steps provided.

Check the scanner glass for dirt and smudges

Over time, specks of debris might collect on the scanner glass and white plastic backing, which can affect performance. Use the following procedure to clean the scanner.

Press the Power button to turn off the printer, and then disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet.
Open the scanner lid.
Clean the scanner glass and the white plastic backing underneath the scanner lid with a soft cloth or sponge that has been moistened with nonabrasive glass cleaner.

CAUTION:
Do not use abrasives, acetone, benzene, ammonia, ethyl alcohol, or carbon tetrachloride on any part of the printer; these can damage the printer. Do not place liquids directly on the glass or platen. They might seep and damage the printer.
Dry the glass and white plastic parts with a chamois or a cellulose sponge to prevent spotting.
Connect the power cable to an outlet, and then press the Power button to turn on the printer.

Check the paper type setting on the control panel

Check the paper type setting on the printer control panel, and change the setting as needed.

Open and close the paper tray.
Follow the control panel prompts to confirm or modify the paper type and size settings for the tray.
Make sure the paper loaded meets specifications.
Check the paper type setting for each tray (and modify, if needed):
1. From the Home screen on the printer control panel, touch the Menu icon, and then touch Paper.
2. Touch Paper Source.
3. Touch the tray name (Tray 1 or Tray 2) to view the paper type setting for that tray.
  
  To change the setting, touch Modify, then touch the paper type from the list of available options.
4. Touch Done to save the settings.
Make sure the driver settings match the control panel settings.

Note:
The print driver settings will override any control panel settings.

Check the image adjustment settings

To improve copy quality, adjust the image settings using the printer control panel.

At the printer control panel, touch Copy.
Adjust the following settings (touch All Options to see the full list of options):
- Quality: Choose the output quality for the image.
- Lighter/Darker: Adjust the lightness/darkness setting.
- Sharpness: Adjust the sharpness of the scanned output.
- Detailed Background Removal: Adjust this setting to remove unwanted background objects.
Select Copy to begin copying.

Optimize for text or pictures

Follow these steps to optimize the scan or copy for text or photos.

At the printer control panel, touch Copy.
Touch the icon to the left of the Copy button, and then touch Content Type.
Touch one of the predefined options (Mixed, Photograph, or Text).
Touch the back arrow button to return to the Copy menu, and then touch the Copy button to start the copy job.

Check the scanner resolution and color settings on the computer

If you are printing a scanned image, and the quality is not what you expected, you might have selected a resolution or color setting in the scanner software that does not match your needs. Resolution and color affect the following features of scanned images:

Image clarity
Texture of gradations (smooth or rough)
Scan time
File size

Scanning resolution is measured in pixels per inch (ppi).

Note:

Scanning ppi levels are not interchangeable with printing dpi (dots per inch) levels.

Color, grayscale, and black and white define the number of colors possible. You can adjust the scanner hardware resolution for up to 1200 ppi.

The resolution and color guidelines table lists simple tips that you can follow to meet your scanning needs.

Note:

Setting the resolution and color to a high value can create large files that take up disk space and slow the scanning process. Before setting the resolution and color, determine how you are going to use the scanned image.

Resolution and color guidelines

The following table describes the recommended resolution and color settings for different types of scan jobs.

Note:

The default resolution is 200 ppi.

Resolution and color guidelines
Intended use	Recommended resolution	Recommended color settings
Fax	150 ppi	Black and White
Email	150 ppi	Black and White, if the image does not require smooth gradation Grayscale, if the image requires smooth gradation Color, if the image is in color
Edit text	300 ppi	Black and White
Print (graphics or text)	600 ppi for complex graphics, or if you want to significantly enlarge the document 300 ppi for normal graphics and text 150 ppi for photos	Black and White for text and line art Grayscale for shaded or colored graphics and photos Color, if the image is in color
Display on screen	75 ppi	Black and White for text Grayscale for graphics and photos Color, if the image is in color

Color

You can set the color values to the following settings when scanning.

Color settings
Setting	Recommended use
Color	Use this setting for high-quality color photos or documents in which the color is important.
Black and White	Use this setting for text documents.
Grayscale	Use this setting when file size is an issue or when you want to scan a document or photograph quickly.

Edge-to-edge copying

The printer cannot print fully edge-to-edge. There is a 4 mm1/6 inch unprintable border around the page.

Considerations for printing or scanning documents with cropped edges:

When the original is smaller than the output size, move the original 4 mm1/6 inch away from the corner indicated by the icon on the scanner. Recopy or scan in this position.
When the original is the size of the printed output that you want, use the Reduce/Enlarge feature to reduce the image so the copy is not cropped.

Additional support options

Try one of our automated tools or diagnostics

Ask a question on our HP Support Community page

Get in touch with one of our support agents

Enter a topic to search our knowledge library

What can we help you with?

Need Help?