HP Deskjet 9800 User Manual

							Ink is smearing
Check print settings
■When you print documents that use much ink, allow more time to dry before han\
dling the
printouts. This is especially true for transparencies. In the printer driver, select the  Best print
quality.
■ Color documents that have rich, blended colors can wrinkle or smear when printed using the
Best  print quality. Try using the other print mode such as  Draft to reduce ink, or use
HP Premium Paper designed for printing vivid color documents. See 
Changing print settings .
Check the media type
Some types of media do not accept ink well. Ink  will dry more slowly and smearing may occur. See
Selecting print media.
Check the margin settings
■If you are using a computer running Windows, make sure the  Minimize Margins option is not
selected. See 
Changing print settings .
NOTE You can also access this feature from the  Printing Shortcuts tab. Open the
printer driver, select the  Printing Shortcuts tab, and select the feature from the  What do
you want to do?  drop-down list.
■Increase the margins in your document. For more information, see the documentation included
with your software application.
Ink is not filling the text or graphics completely
The printer may be in Ink-backup Printing Mode
The printer enters  Ink-backup Printing Mode  when one of the print cartridges is empty or removed.
Replace the missing print cartridge with a new one (see 
Installing or replacing the print cartridges ).
Verify the ink levels of the print cartridges
One of the print cartridges may be low on ink.  To view the ink levels, print a diagnostics page (see
Printing a diagnostics page). If the Toolbox is installed, you can find ink-level information by clicking
the  Estimated Ink Level  tab. If the print cartridge is low on ink, replace it (see 
Installing or replacing
the print cartridges).
The print cartridges may need to be cleaned
Perform the auto-clean procedure (see Cleaning the print cartridges).
Check the media type
Some types of media do not accept ink well. Ink  will dry more slowly and smearing may occur. See
Selecting print media.
Poor print quality and unexpected printouts  101
 
						

							The print settings may need to be changed
Increase the print settings to a higher quality mode (for example,  Draft to Normal , or Normal  to
Best ).
Output is faded or dull colored
Check the print mode
The FastNormal  and Draft  modes in the printer driver allow you to print at a faster rate. They are
good for printing drafts. To get better results, select  Normal or Best . See 
Changing print settings .
You may not be using the  best print cartridge for the project
For best results, use the HP black print cartridge to  print text documents and use the HP photo or
photo gray print cartridges to print color or back and white photos.
Check the paper type setting
When printing on transparencies or other special media, select the corresponding media type in the
printer driver. See 
Printing on custom-sized paper .
Check the print cartridges
If lines in the text or image are broken or do  not print properly, one or more of the ink cartridges may
have run out of ink or are defective. Print a diagnostics page to review the performance of the print
cartridges (see 
Printing a diagnostics page ). If necessary, clean the print cartridges (see Cleaning
the print cartridges ), or replace the cartridges with new ones (see Installing or replacing the print
cartridges).
Colors are printed as black and white
Check the print settings
Make sure  Print in Grayscale  is not selected in the printer driver.
The printer is printing in Ink-backup Printing Mode
If the printer is printing in Ink-backup Printing  Mode using a black, photo, or gray photo cartridge,
colors will print as black and white.  Verify the correct print cartridges are installed.
Wrong colors are printing
Check the print settings
Make sure Print in Grayscale  is not selected in the printer driver.
Check the print cartridges
Whenever print quality noticeably decreases, you may need to clean the print cartridge. See Using
the print cartridges.
If a print cartridge is out of ink, the wrong color may print. See 
Installing or replacing the print
cartridges .
102 6  Troubleshooting 
 
						

							Printout shows bleeding colors
Check the print settings
Some media type settings (such as Transparency Films and Photo Papers) and print quality settings
(such as Best) require more ink than others.  Choose different print settings in the printer driver,
making sure you select the correct media type. See 
Changing print settings .
Check the print cartridges
Make sure print cartridges have not been tampered with. Refilling processes and the use of
incompatible inks can disrupt the intricate printing system and result in reduced print quality and
damage to the printer. HP does not guarantee  or support refilled print cartridges. For ordering
information, see 
HP supplies and accessories .
Colors do not line up properly
Check the print cartridges
The print cartridges are automatically aligned when a cartridge is replaced. However, you might
notice improvement in the print quality by performing the alignment procedure yourself. See 
Using
the print cartridges.
Check the graphics placement
Use the zoom or print preview feature of your  software to check for gaps in the placement of
graphics on the page.
Lines or dots are missing from text or graphics
The printer may be in Ink-backup Printing Mode
The printer enters  Ink-backup Printing Mode  when one of the print cartridges is empty or removed.
Replace the missing print cartridge with a new one (see 
Installing or replacing the print cartridges ).
Verify the ink levels of the print cartridges
One of the print cartridges may be low on ink.  To view the ink levels, print a diagnostics page (see
Printing a diagnostics page). For Windows, if the Toolbox is installed, you can find ink-level
information by clicking the  Estimated Ink Level tab. If the print cartridge is low on ink, replace it (see
Installing or replacing the print cartridges).
The print cartridges may need to be cleaned
Perform the auto-clean procedure (see Cleaning the print cartridges).
Check the print cartridge contact pads
The print cartridge contact pads might need cleaning. See Using the print cartridges .
Poor print quality and unexpected printouts  103
 
						

							Resolving paper-feed problems
This section provides solutions to common paper-feed problems.
●
Another paper feed problem is occurring
For information on resolving jams, see 
Clearing jams .
Another paper feed problem is occurring
Media is not supported for the printer or tray
Use only media that is supported for the printer and the tray being used. See Understanding
specifications for supported media .
Media is not picked up from input tray
■Make sure the media guides are set to the correct  markings in the trays 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.
■ Make sure the tray is inserted properly.
Media is not coming out correctly
■Make sure the output tray extension is extended, otherwise, printed pages may fall off the printer.
■ Remove excess media from the output tray. There is a limit to the number of sheets the tray can
hold.
■ If the duplex unit is not installed properly during  a duplex job, media may exit through the rear of
the printer. Reinstall the duplex unit or close its cover.
Pages are skewing
Make sure that media loaded in  the input tray is aligned to the right and front guides.
Multiple pages are being picked up
■Make sure the media guides are set to the correct  markings in the trays for the media size you
are loading. Also make sure the guides are snug, but not tight, against the stack.
■ Make sure that the tray is not overloaded with paper.
■ When you load paper, avoid fanning the stack. Fanning paper can cause static electricity to build
up and intensify multiple-pick problems.
■ When reinserting a tray into the printer, do so gently. Forceful insertion with a full stack of paper
may cause sheets to slide up within the printer,  causing the printer to jam or pick multiple sheets
at one time.
104 6  Troubleshooting 
 
						

							Troubleshooting installation issues
This section provides solutions to common installation problems.
●
Problems printing an alignment page
●
Problems installing software
●
Problems connecting to a network
Problems printing an alignment page
When print cartridges are installed or replaced, the printer automatically prints an alignment page to
align the cartridges. This process takes about seven minutes, and once complete, the alignment
page may be discarded after it is printed. If  the printer does not print the page, see 
Troubleshooting
tips and resources.
Problems installing software
Verify the computer requirements
Make sure the computer meets the system requirements. See Printer specifications and Declaration
of Conformity .
Verify installation preliminaries
■Before installing software on a Windows computer, ensure all other programs are closed.
■ If the computer does not recognize the path to the CD drive that you type, ensure you are
specifying the correct drive letter.
■ If the computer cannot recognize the Starter CD in  the CD drive, inspect the CD for damage. You
can download the printer driver from 
http://www.hp.com/support/dj9800 .
Reinstall the printer software
If you are using Windows and the computer cannot  detect the printer, run the Scrubber utility (located
in the Utils\Scrubber folder on the Starter CD) to perform a clean printer driver uninstallation. Restart
your computer, and re-install the printer driver. See 
Uninstalling the printer software .
Problems connecting to a network
NOTEAfter correcting any of the following, run the setup program again.
General network troubleshooting
If you are unable to install the printer software, verify that:
■All cable connections to the computer and the printer are secure.
■ The network is operational and the network hub is turned on.
■ All applications, including virus protection programs and personal firewalls, are closed \
or disabled.
Troubleshooting installation issues  105
 
						

							■Make sure the printer is installed on the same  subnet as the computers that will be using the
printer.
■ If the installation program cannot discover the printer,  print the diagnostics page and enter the IP
address manually in the installation program. See 
Printing a diagnostics page .
■ Ping the printer using the IP address from an  MS-DOS prompt. For example, if the IP address is
123.123.123.123, type the following at the MS-DOS prompt:
C:\Ping 123.123.123.123
If a reply appears, the IP address is correct.
■ If you are using a computer running Windows, make sure that the network ports created in the
printer driver match the printer IP address:
1 Print a diagnostics page. For instructions, see 
Printing a diagnostics page .
2 From the Windows desktop, click  Start, point to  Settings, and then click  Printers or Printers
and Faxes .
3 Right-click the printer icon, click  Properties, and then click the  Ports tab.
4 Select the TCP/IP port for the printer, and then click  Configure Port.
5 Compare the IP address listed in the dialog box  and make sure it matches the IP address listed
on the diagnostics page. If the  IP addresses are different, change  the IP address in the dialog
box to match the address on the diagnostics page.
6 Click  OK twice to save the settings and close the dialog boxes.
Problems connecting to a wired network
■ If the Link light on the network connector does not  turn on, make sure that all of the general
troubleshooting tips conditions are met.
■ Though it is not recommended that you assign  the printer with a static IP address, you might
resolve some installation problems (such as a conflict  with a personal firewall) by assigning the
printer with a static IP address. For more information, see 
Connecting to a network .
106 6  Troubleshooting 
 
						

							Clearing jams
Use the following methods to locate and clear a paper jam. For information on how to avoid jams,
see 
Tips for avoiding paper jams .
NOTE To prevent jammed paper from tearing off inside the printer, try to grasp jammed
paper with both hands and exert even pressure on both sides while pulling the paper towa\
rds
you.
WARNING! Be sure to turn off the printer and unplug it before performing this procedure.
Clearing a paper jam while printer  parts are moving could cause injury.
1Turn off the printer and then unplug it.
2 Remove the rear access panel, pull out any  jammed paper, and then reinsert the rear access
panel.
Clearing jams  107
 
						

							3Remove the rear cover from the duplex unit (if installed), remove any paper, and replace the rear
cover. If the paper jam is not visible by removing  the rear cover, remove the duplex unit to locate
the jam.
4 Lift up the output tray and remove any jammed paper from the input tray.
108 6  Troubleshooting 
 
						

							5Open the top cover. The print cartridge carriage should  return to the right side of the printer. If
the carriage does not return to the right side, turn  off the printer, and then move the carriage to
the right. Pull any jammed paper towards you.
CAUTION Do not reach into the printer when the  printer is on and the print cartridge
carriage is stuck.
After you clear the jam, close all covers, turn on  the printer (if you turned it off), and press the
R
ESUME button. The printer will continue the print job  on the next page. You will need to resend
any pages that were jammed in the printer.
Tips for avoiding paper jams
■ Make sure nothing blocks the paper path.
■ Do not use media that is damaged, curled, or wrinkled. It is recommended not to use paper with
cutouts or perforations or paper that is heavily textured or embossed.
■ To ensure that media feeds properly, load only one type of media at a time in the input tray or the
manual feed slots.
■ Make sure media is loaded correctly. See 
Loading media in the input tray.
■ For the input tray and front manual feed slot, load the media print-side down with the righ\
t edge
of the media aligned against the right edge of the  tray or slot. Make sure the paper width guide
and tray extension fit against the edges of the  media. For the rear manual feed slot, load the
media print-side up.
■ Do not load more than 150 sheets of paper, or 15 envelopes, or a stack of media that exceeds
the height of the paper width guide into the input  tray. Do not load more than 10 sheets of paper
into the front manual feed slot. Load only one sheet  of paper at a time into the rear manual feed
slot.
■ Always use media that conforms with the types, sizes, and weights listed in 
Selecting print
media . This section also lists tips and guidelines on recommended media.
Clearing jams  109
 
						

							Resolving photo printing problems
Also see Poor print quality and unexpected printouts for additional troubleshooting information.
■ Make sure you are printing on the correct side of the media
■Load media print-side down in the input tray and front manual feed slot.
■ Load media print-side up in the rear manual feed slot.
■ Check the print settings
1 Open the printer driver (see 
Printing a document ).
2 From the  Paper/Quality  tab (Windows) or the  Paper Type/Quality panel (Macintosh), check the
following settings:
■ Select the appropriate photo paper type.
■ Select the highest resolution option such as  Best or Maximum dpi  on the print quality drop-
down list.
■ Colors are tinted or incorrect
If colors in photographs appear tinted or incorrect, follow these steps:
1 Calibrate the color (see 
Calibrating the color ). Photo print cartridges must be installed for color
calibration.
2 Reprint the photograph.
3 If colors are still tinted or incorrect, try the following steps:
●Windows : Open the printer driver (see 
Printing a document ) and click the  Color tab, and
then click  Advanced Color Settings .
● Macintosh:  Click File, and then click  Print. Open the  Paper Type/Quality  panel and click the
Color Options  tab.
4 Adjust the color tone sliders: If the colors are  too yellow, move the color tone slider towards
Cooler . If the colors are too blue, move the color tone slider towards  Warmer.
5 Reprint the photograph.
110 6  Troubleshooting