HP DesignJet Z3100 24 User Manual

●If you are trying to print a very long image on a roll, check that your software is capable of printing
an image of that size.
●You may have asked to rotate the page from portrait to landscape on a paper size that is not wide
enough.
●If necessary, reduce the size of the image or document in your software application, so it fits between
the margins.
There is another possible explanation for a clipped image. Some applications, such as Adobe Photoshop,
Adobe Illustrator, and CorelDRAW, use an internal...

Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader software to the latest version. From version 7 onwards, these problems
should be solved.
The Image Diagnostics Print
The Image Diagnostics Print consists of patterns designed to highlight printhead reliability problems. It
helps you to check the performance of the printheads that are currently installed in your printer, and
whether any printhead suffers from clogging or other problems.
To print the Image Diagnostics Print:
1.Use the same paper type that you were using when...

First look at the upper part of the print (part 1). Each colored rectangle should be a uniform color without
any horizontal lines across it.
Then look at the bottom part of the print (part 2). For each individual colored pattern, check that most of
the dashes are present.
If you see horizontal lines in part 1 and also missing dashes in part 2 for the same color, the printhead
responsible needs cleaning. However, if the rectangles look solid, do not worry about just a few missing
dashes in part 2; these...

And here is an example of the same printhead in a bad state:
The gloss enhancer (E) cannot be seen when printed on its own, because it is a clear fluid. To make it
visible in the Image Diagnostics Print, it is printed over gray ink (G).
●In part 1 (top), the gloss enhancer is seen as a slightly different gray inner section of a gray rectangle.
On some papers the inner section may look darker, on other papers it may look lighter.
●In part 2 (bottom), the small dashes of gloss enhancer, one for each nozzle...

4.If the problem remains, try cleaning the printhead drop detector. The printer normally notifies you
when this is necessary, but it may be worth trying even if the printer has not suggested it. See 
Clean
the printhead drop detector on page 180.
5.If the problem still remains, replace any persistently faulty printheads (see 
Handling ink cartridges
and printheads on page 117), or contact HP Support (see Contact HP Support on page 200).
If you still have a problem
If you still experience print-quality...

176 Chapter 13   Troubleshooting print-quality issues ENWW
Print-quality issues
 

14
Troubleshooting ink cartridge and
printhead issues
●Cannot insert an ink cartridge
●
Ink cartridge status messages
●
Cannot insert a printhead
●
The front-panel display recommends reseating or replacing a printhead
●
Clean the printheads
●
Clean the printhead drop detector
●
Align the printheads
●
Printhead status messages
ENWW177
Ink system issues
 

Cannot insert an ink cartridge
1.Check that you have the correct type of cartridge (model number).
2.Check that the colored label on the cartridge is the same color as the label on the slot.
3.Check that the cartridge is correctly oriented, with the letter or letters marking the cartridge label
right-side up and readable.
CAUTION:Never clean inside the ink cartridge slots.
Ink cartridge status messages
These are the possible ink cartridge status messages:
●OK: the cartridge is working normally, with no...

The front-panel display recommends reseating or
replacing a printhead
1.From the front panel, turn the power off then on.
2.Check the front-panel display message, if it shows the ready message, the printer is ready to print.
If the problem remains continue with the next step.
3.Remove the printhead, see 
Remove a printhead on page 122.
4.Clean the electrical connections on the backside of the printhead with a lint free cloth. You can
carefully use de-ionized or distilled water if moisture is needed to...

CAUTION:This is a delicate process and may damage the printhead. Do not touch the electrical
connections on the backside of the printhead.
First, remove the printhead, see Remove a printhead on page 122, and then use a cotton swab and a
little de-ionized or distilled water to clean the bottom of the printhead until the residue is removed.
Clean the printhead drop detector
The printhead drop detector is a sensor that detects which nozzles on the printheads are not printing in
order to substitute them for...