Wrong, inaccurate, or bleeding colors
If your printout has one of the following print quality problems, try the solutions in this
section for help.
•
Colors look slightly different than what you expected.
For example, the colors in your graphic or photo look one way on your computer
screen, but print out differently.
•
You expected to see one color in the printout, and a completely different color
appeared.
For example, magenta was replaced with cyan in your printout.
•
Colors run into each other, or look like they have been smeared on the page. The
edges might have a feathering appearance instead of being sharp and defined.
•
Solution 1: HP recommends using genuine HP print cartridges
•
Solution 2: Check the paper loaded in the input tray
•
Solution 3: Check the paper type
•
Solution 4: Check to see if the product is in ink-backup mode
•
Solution 5: Check the print settings
•
Solution 6: Clean the print cartridges
Solution 1: HP recommends using genuine HP print cartridges
Solution:
Check to see if your print cartridges are genuine HP print cartridges.
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HP recommends that you use genuine HP print cartridges. Genuine HP print
cartridges are designed and tested with HP printers to help you easily produce great
results, time after time.
NOTE:
HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP supplies. Printer
service or repairs required as a result of using a non-HP supply will not be covered
under warranty.
If you believe you purchased genuine HP print cartridges, go to:
www.hp.com/go/anticounterfeit
Cause:
Non-HP ink was being used.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 2: 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 side you want to print on facing down. For example, if you
are loading glossy photo paper, load the paper with the glossy side down.
•
If the paper is too close to the print cartridge during printing, the ink might be
smeared. This can happen if the paper is raised, wrinkled, or very thick, such as
a mailing envelope. Make sure the paper lays flat in the input tray and is not
wrinkled.
For more information, see:
•
Print other documents
•
Store and handle photo paper
Cause:
The paper was loaded incorrectly, or it was wrinkled or too thick.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 3: Check the paper type
Solution:
HP recommends that you use HP Advanced Papers or any other paper
type that is appropriate for the product.
Always make sure the paper you are printing on is flat. For best results when printing
images, use HP Advanced Photo Paper.
For more information, see:
Store and handle photo paper
Cause:
The wrong kind of paper was loaded in the input tray.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
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Solution 4: Check to see if the product is in ink-backup mode
Solution:
Check to see if the the product is printing in ink-backup mode, with only
one print cartridge installed.
If the product is in ink-backup mode, text and photo quality will differ from those printed
when using all print cartridges.
If you are satisfied with the print quality, continue printing in ink-backup mode. Or,
replace the missing print cartridge.
For more information, see:
•
Ink-backup mode
•
Replace print cartridges
Cause:
A print cartridge was missing, and the product was printing in ink-backup
mode.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 5: Check the print settings
Solution:
Check the print settings.
•
Check the print settings to see if the color settings are incorrect.
For example, check to see if the document is set to print in grayscale. Or, check
to see if advanced color settings such as saturation, brightness, or color tone, are
set to modify the appearance of colors.
•
Check the print quality setting and make sure it matches the type of paper loaded
in the product.
You might need to choose a lower print quality setting, if colors are running into
each other. Or, choose a higher setting if you are printing a high-quality photo,
and then make sure photo paper such as HP Premium Photo Papers, is loaded
in the input tray.
NOTE:
On some computer screens, colors might appear differently than they do
when printed on paper. In this case, there is nothing wrong with the product, print
settings, or print cartridges. No further troubleshooting is required.
For more information, see:
Change the print speed or quality
Cause:
The print settings were set incorrectly.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 6: Clean the print cartridges
Solution:
Print a self-test report to determine if there is a problem with the print
cartridges. If the self-test report shows a problem, clean the print cartridges. If the
problem persists, you might need to replace the print cartridges.
Cause:
The print cartridges need to be cleaned.
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