HP inkjet printers - Alignment issues and errors

Reset the printer to recover from printer errors or failures.

1. If your printer has a rechargeable battery, remove it.

2. Press the power button to turn off the printer. If the printer does not turn off, disconnect the power cord from the printer.

3. Unplug the power cord from the power source.

4. Wait 60 seconds.

5. Connect the power cord directly to a wall outlet and to the printer.

6. Turn on the printer to complete the reset.

Use the HP Smart app to align the printhead.

1. Load plain white paper into the tray.

2. Open the HP Smart app, and then click the image of your printer or Printer Settings.

3. Under Tools, click Print Quality Tools, and then select Align Printer, Align Printheads, or Align.

   An Aligning printhead message displays and an alignment page prints.

4. If the alignment page includes instructions to scan the page, follow the instructions to finish the alignment process.

   Example alignment page with instructions to finish by scanning the page

   

Incorrectly installed ink cartridges or low ink levels can result in poor print quality or errors.

1. Check ink levels.

   • From the printer control panel: Look for an ink drop, a cartridge icon, or an Ink Levels menu.

   • From the HP Smart app: Open the HP Smart app. Estimated ink levels display on the Home screen.

   • Ink Tank, Smart Tank, DeskJet GT printers: Look at the ink tank windows on the printer. Most printers with ink tanks have a minimum fill line.

2. Open the ink cartridge access door, and then wait for the carraige to stop moving.

3. Remove each cartridge from the printer. Make sure to hold each cartridge by the sides.

4. Remove any protective tape that might be on the cartridges.

   CAUTION:

   Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or the ink nozzles. Touching these parts can result in clogs, an ink system failure, and a failed electrical connection.

5. Check for and remove any obstructions around the printer carriage.

6. Replace any cartridges that are low or out of ink. If you have an ink tank printer, make sure each ink tank is filled to the minimum fill line.

7. Reinstall the cartridges into their correct slots, and then make sure they are firmly seated.

8. Close the ink cartridge access door.

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

1. Load plain white paper in the tray.

2. Print a Print Quality report.

   • Printers with a touchscreen or menus: On the printer control panel, open the Settings or Setup menu, touch Tools or Reports, and then touch Print Quality Report or similar.

   • Printers without a touchscreen or menus: Open the HP Smart app, and then click the printer image. Click Printer Reports, and then select Print Quality Report.

   

3. If there are ink defects on the page, replace the corresponding cartridges.