Troubleshooting Print Quality

Solving Black Print Quality Problems

 

 

Table 5-11. Solving Black Print Quality Problems

 

 

 

Black Print Quality Issue

 

Possible Cause and Solution

 

 

 

Print is faint or fuzzy

1.

Was the print cartridge new when installed in the printer or was it a refilled print cartridge?

 

 

If it was refilled, replace it with a new print cartridge. Hewlett-Packard does not recommend

 

 

refilling print cartridges and cannot guarantee the quality from a refilled print cartridge.

 

 

Also, refilled cartridges may be using ink formulations that can damage the service station.

 

2.

Verify that the print cartridge has not expired. See “Identifying the Print Cartridge Expiration

 

 

Date” in this chapter.

 

3.

Run the print cartridge cleaning routine to clear the nozzles. See “Using the Print Cartridge

 

 

Cleaning Routine” in this chapter.

 

4.

If you determine that the print cartridge is running out of ink, replace the print cartridge.

 

5.

The print cartridge may be faulty. Try printing with another print cartridge.

 

6.

Make sure that the media meets the specifications in chapter 1.

 

7.

Verify that the paper is not inkjet, ThinkJet, or special coated paper, unless it is

 

 

recommended for HP DeskJet 400 printer.

 

8.

Turn the paper over and try printing on the other side. See the paper packaging for an arrow

 

 

or other identification of the print side of the paper.

 

9.

Some paper that meets specifications in chapter 1 will not produce satisfactory results. Try

 

 

a different brand of paper.

 

10.If printing transparencies, verify that you are using HP Premium media.

 

11.Verify that the printer is set to Letter Quality rather than Draft mode printing.

 

12.Adjust the intensity setting in your software to make sure that the correct amount of ink is

 

 

thrown onto the page. See your software manual.

 

 

 

Print density is

1.

The print cartridge nozzles may be clogged. Run the print cartridge cleaning routine to clear

inconsistent

 

the nozzles. See “Using the Print Cartridge Cleaning Routine” in this chapter.

 

2.

Make sure that you insert media print side up in the printer. Check the packaging for an

 

 

indication of the print side. If you are using plain paper, try turning the paper over and

 

 

printing on the other side.

 

3.

Make sure that the media meets the specifications in chapter 1.

 

4.

If printing transparencies, verify that the media is HP Premium.

 

5.

Some paper that meets specifications in chapter 1 will not produce satisfactory results. Try

 

 

a different brand of paper.

 

 

 

Ink is smearing

1.

Adjust the intensity setting in your software to reduce the amount of ink thrown onto the

 

 

page. See your software manual.

 

2.

Verify that there is no crusting of ink on the print cartridge nozzles.

 

3.

Verify that the paper is not inkjet, ThinkJet, or special coated paper unless it is

 

 

recommended for use with HP DeskJet 400 printer.

 

4.

Try printing in the vertical print position.

 

5.

Some kinds of paper that meet specifications in chapter 1 will not produce satisfactory

 

 

results. Try a different brand of paper.

 

6.

If printing transparencies, verify that the media is HP Premium.

 

7.

Allow the ink to set before stacking paper or placing transparencies in sleeves.

 

 

Output appears jagged

1. Verify that Letter Quality mode is selected rather than Draft mode.

 

2.

In Windows, check that Presentation mode rather than Normal or Draft mode is selected.

 

 

 

Problem Resolution 5-27