Chapter 9

NOTE: Ink level alerts and indicators provide estimates for planning purposes only. When you receive a low-ink alert, consider having a replacement cartridge available to avoid possible printing delays. You do not need to replace the ink cartridges until prompted to do so.

NOTE: The printer can operate with one or more depleted cartridges. However, printing with depleted cartridges slows the printer and affects the quality of printed documents. If the black cartridge is depleted, blacks are not as dark. If a color cartridge is depleted, output is in grayscale. When possible, replace the depleted cartridge. Do not remove the depleted cartridge until you have a new ink cartridge available. For information about how to install new cartridges, see Replace the ink cartridges.

CAUTION: Wait until you have a new ink cartridge available before removing the old ink cartridge. Do not leave the ink cartridge outside of the printer for an extended period of time. This can result in damage to both the printer and the ink cartridge.

CAUTION: While ink cartridges are not damaged when left outside of the printer, the printhead does need to have all cartridges installed at all times after the printer is set up and in use. Leaving one or more cartridge slots empty for an extended period may lead to print quality problems and possibly damage the printhead. If you have recently left a cartridge out of the printer for an extended period, or if you have had a recent paper jam, and have noticed poor print quality, clean the printhead. For more information, see Clean the printhead.

For more information, see:

Check the estimated ink levels

Cause: The ink cartridges might have insufficient ink.

If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.

Solution 3: Check the paper loaded in the input tray

Solution: Make sure the paper is loaded correctly and that it is not wrinkled or too thick.

•Load paper with the print side facing down. For example, if you are loading glossy photo paper, load the paper with the glossy side down.

•Make sure the paper lays flat in the input tray and is not wrinkled. If the paper is too close to the printhead during printing, the ink might be smeared. This can happen if the paper is raised, wrinkled, or very thick, such as a mailing envelope.

For more information, see:

Load media.

Cause: The paper was loaded incorrectly, or it was wrinkled or too thick.

If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.

104 Solve a problem