HP 6500 A Manual

							
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 5: Clean the printhead
Solution: Check the following potential problems, and then clean the printhead.
After cleaning the printhead, print a print quality report. Evaluate the print quality
report to see if the print quality problem still exists.
For more information, see:
•
Clean the printhead
•
Print and evaluate a print quality report
Cause: The printhead needed to be cleaned.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 6: Contact HP support Solution: Contact HP support for service.
Go to: 
www.hp.com/support .
If prompted, choose your country/region, and then click  Contact HP for information
on calling for technical support.
Cause: There was a problem with the printhead.
Printouts are faded or have dull colors
Try the following solutions if the colors in your printout are not as bright and intense as
you expected.
•
Solution 1: Check the print settings
•
Solution 2: Check the paper type
•
Solution 3: Check the ink levels
•
Solution 4: Clean the printhead
•
Solution 5: Contact HP support
Solution 1: Check the print settings Solution: Check the print settings.
• Check the paper type setting to make sure it matches the type of paper loaded in the input tray.
• Check the print quality setting and make sure it is not set too low. Print the image with a high print quality setting, such as  Best or Maximum dpi .
Cause: The paper type or print quality settings were set incorrectly.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Print quality troubleshooting 187 
						

							
Solution 2: Check the paper typeSolution: HP recommends that you use HP 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.
Store specialty media in its original packaging inside a resealable plastic bag on a
flat surface in a cool, dry place. When you are ready to print, remove only the paper
you plan to use immediately. When you have finished printing, return any unused
photo paper to the plastic bag. This will prevent the photo paper from curling.
NOTE: For this issue, there is not a problem with your ink supplies. Therefore,
replacing the ink cartridges or printhead is not necessary.
For more information, see:
Select print media
Cause: The wrong kind of paper was loaded in the input tray.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 3: Check the ink levels Solution: Check the estimated ink leve ls in the ink cartridges.
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 print quality becomes unacceptable.
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 4: Clean the printhead Solution: If the previous solutions did not resolve the issue, try cleaning the
printhead.
After cleaning the printhead, print a print quality report. Evaluate the print quality
report to see if the print quality problem still exists.
For more information, see:
•
Clean the printhead
•
Print and evaluate a print quality report
Cause: The printhead needed to be cleaned.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
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188 Maintain and troubleshoot 
						

							
Solution 5: Contact HP supportSolution: Contact HP support for service.
Go to: 
www.hp.com/support .
If prompted, choose your country/region, and then click  Contact HP for information
on calling for technical support.
Cause: There was a problem with the printhead.
Printouts seem blurry or fuzzy
Try the following solutions if your printout is not sharp or unclear.
NOTE:For this issue, there is not a problem with your ink supplies. Therefore,
replacing the ink cartridges or printhead is not necessary.
TIP: After reviewing the solutions in this secti on, you can go to HPs Web site to see
if there is additional troubleshooting help. For more information, go to: 
www.hp.com/
support .
•Solution 1: Check the print settings
•
Solution 2: Use a higher quality image
•
Solution 3: Print the image in a smaller size
•
Solution 4: Align the printer
Solution 1: Check the print settings Solution: Check the print settings.
• Check the paper type setting to make sure it matches the type of paper loaded in the input tray.
• Check the print quality setting and make sure it is not set too low. Print the image with a high print quality setting, such as  Best or Maximum dpi .
Cause: The paper type or print quality settings were set incorrectly.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 2: Use a higher quality image
Solution: Use a higher resolution image.
If you are printing a photo or graphic, and the resolution is too low, it will be blurry or
fuzzy when printed.
If a digital photo or rasteriz ed graphic has been resized, it can be blurry or fuzzy when
printed.
Cause: The resolution of the image was low.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Print quality troubleshooting 189 
						

							
Solution 3: Print the image in a smaller sizeSolution: Reduce the size of the image and then print it.
If you are printing a photo or graphic, and the print size is set too high, it will be blurry
or fuzzy when printed.
If a digital photo or rasterized graphic has  been resized, it can be blurry or fuzzy when
printed.
Cause: The image was printed in a larger size.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 4: Align the printer Solution: Align the printer.
Aligning the printer can help ensure excellent print quality.
For more information, see:
Align the printer
Cause: The printer needed to be aligned.
Printouts have vertical streaks
Solution: HP recommends that you use HP 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.
Store specialty media in its original packaging inside a resealable plastic bag on a
flat surface in a cool, dry place. When you are ready to print, remove only the paper
you plan to use immediately. When you have finished printing, return any unused
photo paper to the plastic bag. This will prevent the photo paper from curling.
NOTE: For this issue, there is not a problem with your ink supplies. Therefore,
replacing the ink cartridges or printhead is not necessary.
For more information, see:
Select print media
Cause: The wrong kind of paper was loaded in the input tray.
Printouts are slanted or skewed
Try the following solutions if your printout does not appear straight on the page.
•
Solution 1: Make sure the paper is loaded correctly
•
Solution 2: Make sure only one type of paper is loaded
•
Solution 3: Ensure that the rear access panel or duplexer is securely installed
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190 Maintain and troubleshoot 
						

							
Solution 1: Make sure the paper is loaded correctlySolution: Make sure that the paper is loaded correctly in the input tray.
For more information, see:
Load media
Cause: The paper was not loaded correctly.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 2: Make sure only one type of paper is loaded Solution: Load only one type of paper at a time.
Cause: More than one type of paper was loaded in the input tray.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 3: Ensure that the rear access panel or duplexer is securely installed Solution: Make sure that the rear  door is securely installed.
If you removed the rear door to clear a paper jam, replace it. Gently push the door
forward until it snaps into place.
Cause: The rear door was not securely installed.
Ink streaks on the back of the paper
Try the following solutions if there is smeared ink on the back of your printout.
•
Solution 1: Print on a page of plain paper
•
Solution 2: Wait while the ink dries
Solution 1: Print on a page of plain paper Solution: Print one or several pages of plain paper to soak up any excess ink in
the product.
To remove excess ink using plain paper
1. Load several sheets of plain paper in the input tray.
2. Wait five minutes.
3. Print a document with little or no text.
4. Check the back of the paper for ink. If there is still ink on the back of the paper,
try printing on another page of plain paper.
Cause: Ink accumulated inside the product, where the back of the paper rests
during printing.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Print quality troubleshooting 191 
						

							
Solution 2: Wait while the ink driesSolution: Wait at least thirty minutes for the ink inside the product to dry, then try
the print job again.
Cause: The excess ink in the product needed to dry out.
Paper is not picked up  from the input tray
Try the following solutions to resolve the issue. Solutions are listed in order, with the most
likely solution first. If the first solution does not solve the problem, continue trying the
remaining solutions until the issue is resolved.
•
Solution 1: Restart the product
•
Solution 2: Make sure the paper is loaded correctly
•
Solution 3: Check the print settings
•
Solution 4: Clean the rollers
•
Solution 5: Check for a paper jam
•
Solution 6: Service the product
Solution 1: Restart the product Solution: Turn off the product, and then unplug the power cord. Plug the power
cord back in, and then press the  Power button to turn on the product.
Cause: The product experienced an error.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 2: Make sure the paper is loaded correctly
Solution: Make sure that the paper is loaded correctly in the input tray.
For more information, see:
Load media
Cause: The paper was not loaded correctly.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 3: Check the print settings Solution: Check the print settings.
• Check the paper type setting to make sure it matches the type of paper loaded in the input tray.
• Check the print quality setting and make sure it is not set too low. Print the image with a high print quality setting, such as  Best or Maximum dpi .
Cause: The paper type or print quality settings were set incorrectly.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
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192 Maintain and troubleshoot 
						

							
Solution 4: Clean the rollersSolution: Clean the rollers.
Make sure you have the following materials available:
• A lint-free cloth, or any soft material that will not come apart or leave fibers.
• Distilled, filtered, or bottled water (tap water might contain contaminants that can damage the ink cartridges).
For more information, see 
Clean the device .
Cause: The rollers were dirty and needed to be cleaned.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 5: Check for a paper jam
Solution: Check for paper debris in the front of the device. Remove any debris you
find.
CAUTION: Trying to clear a paper jam from the front of the device can damage
the print mechanism. Always access and clear paper jams through the rear access
panel or duplexer.
Cause: Paper debris may be present, but not detected by the sensor.
Solution 6: Service the product
Solution: If you have completed all of the steps provided in the previous solutions,
contact HP support for service.
Go to: 
www.hp.com/support .
If prompted, choose your country/region, and then click  Contact HP for information
on calling for technical support.
Cause: Your product needs servicing.
Poor black text
Try the following solutions if the text in your printouts is not sharp and the edges are rough.
NOTE:For this issue, there is not a problem with your ink supplies. Therefore,
replacing the ink cartridges or printhead is not necessary.
•Solution 1: Wait a couple of minutes and attempt to reprint
•
Solution 2: Use TrueType or OpenType fonts
•
Solution 3: Align the printer
•
Solution 4: Clean the printhead
Solution 1: Wait a couple of  minutes and attempt to reprint
Solution: After the print is finished, wait a couple of minutes and attempt to print
the document again.
Print quality troubleshooting 193 
						

							
Cause:Many black print quality problems clear up with the automatic services
performed after each print job is finished.
Solution 2: Use TrueType or OpenType fonts
Solution: Use TrueType or OpenType fonts to ensure that the product is able to
print smooth fonts. When selecting a font, look for the TrueType or OpenType icon.
TrueType iconOpenType icon
Cause: The font was a custom size.
Some software applications offer custom fonts that have jagged edges when enlarged
or printed. Also, if you want to print bitmapped text, it might have jagged edges when
enlarged or printed.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 3: Align the printer Solution: Align the printer.
Aligning the printer can help ensure excellent print quality.
For more information, see:
Align the printer
Cause: The printer needed to be aligned.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 4: Clean the printhead Solution: If the previous solutions did not resolve the issue, try cleaning the
printhead.
After cleaning the printhead, print a print quality report. Evaluate the print quality
report to see if the print quality problem still exists.
For more information, see:
•
Clean the printhead
•
Print and evaluate a print quality report
Cause: The printhead needed to be cleaned.
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194 Maintain and troubleshoot 
						

							
The product prints slowly
Try the following solutions if the product is printing very slowly.
•
Solution 1: Use a lower print quality setting
•
Solution 2: Check the ink levels
•
Solution 3: Contact HP support
Solution 1: Use a lower print quality setting Solution: Check the print quality setting.  Best and  Maximum dpi  provide the best
quality but are slower than  Normal or Draft . Draft  provides the fastest print speed.
Cause: The print quality was set to a high setting.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 2: Check the ink levels Solution: Check the estimate d ink levels in the ink cartridges.
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 print quality becomes unacceptable.
For more information, see:
Check the estimated ink levels
Cause: The ink cartridges might ha ve insufficient ink. Insufficient ink may cause the
printhead to overheat. When the printhead overheats, the printer slows down to allow
it to cool.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 3: Contact HP support
Solution: Contact HP support for service.
Go to: 
www.hp.com/support .
If prompted, choose your country/region, and then click  Contact HP for information
on calling for technical support.
Cause: There was a problem with the product.
Solve paper-feed problems
Media is not supported  for the printer or tray
Use only media that is supported for the device and the tray being used. For more
information, see 
Understand specifications for supported media .
Solve paper-feed problems 195 
						

							
Media is not picked up from a tray
• Make sure media is loaded in the tray. For more information, see 
Load media. Fan
the media before loading.
• Make sure the paper guides are set to the correct markings in the tray for the media size you are loading. Also make sure the guides are snug, but not tight, against the
stack.
• Make sure media in the tray is not curled. Uncurl paper by bending it in the opposite direction of the curl.
• When using thin special media, make sure that the tray is completely loaded. If you are using special media that is only available  in small quantities, try placing the special
media on top of other paper of the same size to help fill the tray. (Some media is
picked up more easily if the tray is full.)
Media is not coming out correctly
• Make sure the output tray extension is extended; otherwise, printed pages may fall off the device.
• Remove excess media from the output tray. There is a limit to the number of sheetsthe tray can hold.
Pages are skewing
• Make sure the media loaded in the trays is aligned to the paper guides. If needed, pull out the trays from the device and reload the media properly, making sure that the
paper guides are properly aligned.
• Make sure the duplexer is properly installed.
• Load media into the device only when it is not printing.
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196 Maintain and troubleshoot