HP Deskjet F2187 User Manual

							3.Make sure the test patterns show a complete grid and the thick color lines are 
complete. 
• If more than a few lines in a pattern are broken, this might indicate a problem with 
the nozzles. You might need to clean the print cartridges. 
• If the black line is missing, faded, streaked, or shows lines, this might indicate a 
problem with the black or photo print cartridge in the right slot.
NOTE: Some models of the HP All-in-One do not support photo print 
cartridges.
• If any of the color lines are missing, faded, streaked, or show lines, this might
indicate a problem with the tri-color print cartridge in the left slot. 
Related topics 
•Clean the print cartridges 
•Replace the print cartridges 
•Control panel buttons
Work with print cartridges
To ensure the best print quality from the HP All-in-One, you will need to perform some 
simple maintenance procedures. This section  provides guidelines for handling the print 
cartridges and instructions for replacing, aligning, and cleaning the print cartridges. 
You might also need to check your print cartridges if the Check Print Cartridge light is on. 
This might mean that the print cartridges are not installed properly or are missing, the
plastic tape has not been removed from the print cartridges, the print cartridges are out 
of ink, or the print carriage is blocked. 
This section contains the following topics:
•Handle the print cartridges 
•Check the estimated ink levels 
•Replace the print cartridges
•Use ink-backup mode 
•Use a photo print cartridge 
•Store the print cartridges
•Align the print cartridges
•Clean the print cartridges 
•Clean the print cartridge contacts 
•Clean the area around the ink nozzles 
•Remove ink from your skin and clothing
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							Handle the print cartridges
Before you replace or clean a print cartridge, you should know the part names and how 
to handle the print cartridges.
1Copper-colored contacts
2Plastic tape with pink pull tab (m ust be removed before installing)
3Ink nozzles under tape
Hold the print cartridges by their black plastic sides, with the label on top. Do not touch 
the copper-colored contacts or the ink nozzles.
NOTE: Handle the print cartridges carefully. Dropping or jarring cartridges can cause 
temporary printing problems, or even permanent damage.
Check the estimated ink levels
You can easily check the ink supply level to determine how soon you might need to
replace a print cartridge. The ink supply level shows an estimate of the amount of ink 
remaining in the print cartridges.
TIP: You can also print a self-test report to see if your print cartridges might need to 
be replaced.
NOTE: The HP All-in-One can only detect the ink levels for genuine HP ink. The ink 
levels in print cartridges that are refilled or have been used in other devices might not 
register accurately.
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							NOTE:Ink from the cartridges is used in the printing process in a number of different 
ways, including in the initialization process, which prepares the device and cartridges 
for printing, and in printhead servicing, which keeps print nozzles clear and ink flowing
smoothly. In addition, some residual ink is left in the cartridge after it is used. For more 
information, see www.hp.com/go/inkusage .
To check the ink levels from the HP Photosmart Software 
1. In the HP Solution Center, click Settings, point to Print Settings, and then click 
Printer Toolbox .
NOTE:You can also open the Printer Toolbox from the Print Properties dialog 
box. In the  Print Properties dialog box, click the Services tab, and then click 
Service this device .
The Printer Toolbox appears. 
2. Click the Estimated Ink Level tab. 
The estimated ink levels for the print cartridges appear. 
Related topics
Print a self-test report
Replace the print cartridges
Follow these instructions when the ink level is low.
NOTE: When the ink level for the print cartridge is low, a message appears on your 
computer screen. You can also check the ink levels by using the software installed
with the HP All-in-One.
When you receive a low-ink warning message, make sure you have a replacement print
cartridge available. You should also replace the print cartridges when you see faded text
or if you experience print quality issues related to the print cartridges. 
To order print cartridges for the HP All-in-One, go to www.hp.com/buy/supplies . If 
prompted, choose your country/region, follow the prompts to select your product, and 
then click one of the shopping links on the page. 
Choose the right cartridge combination 
Choose the best combination of cartridges for your print job: 
• Everyday printing: Use a black cartridge along with a tri-color cartridge. 
• Color photos: Use a black cartridge along with a tri-color cartridge.
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							To replace the print cartridges 
1. Make sure the HP All-in-One is on.
CAUTION:If the HP All-in-One is off when you open the print cartridge door to 
access the print cartridges, the HP All-in-One will not release the cartridges for 
changing. You might damage the HP All-in-One if the print cartridges are not 
docked safely when you  try to remove them.
2.Open the print cartridge door. 
The print carriage should move to the center of the HP All-in-One. If the print carriage 
does not move to the center, turn the HP All-in-One off, and then on.
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							3.Wait until the print carriage is idle and silent, and then lightly press down on a print 
cartridge to release it. 
If you are replacing the tri-color print cartridge, remove the print cartridge from the 
slot on the left. 
If you are replacing the black or photo print cartridge, remove the print cartridge from 
the slot on the right.
NOTE: Your printer might be packaged with only a tri-color print cartridge. For 
better results, install a black print cartridge in addition to the tri-color print cartridge. 
You can print without a black print cartridge but doing so can cause the printer to
print more slowly and printed colors to differ from those you would see if a black 
print cartridge and a tri-color print cartridge were installed. 
Some models of the HP All-in-One do not support photo print cartridges. 
To order print cartridges, go to www.hp.com . Choose your country/region, and 
then click  Buy or Online Shopping.
1Print cartridge slot for the tri-color print cartridge
2Print cartridge slot for the black and photo print cartridges
4.Pull the print cartridge toward you out of its slot. 
5. If you are removing the black print cartridge in order to install the photo print cartridge, 
store the black print cartridge in the print cartridge protector or an airtight plastic 
container. 
If you are removing the print cartridge because it is low or out of ink, recycle the print 
cartridge. The HP Inkjet S upplies Recycling Program is available in many countries/ 
regions, and lets you re cycle used print cartridges free of charge. For more 
information, go to the following Web site:
www.hp.com/hpinfo /globalcitizenship/environment/recycle/inkjet.html
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							6.Remove the new print cartridge from its packaging, being careful to touch only the 
black plastic. Gently remove the pastic tape using the pink pull tab.
1Copper-colored contacts
2Plastic tape with pink pull tab (must be removed before installing)
3Ink nozzles under tape
CAUTION: Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or ink nozzles. Touching 
these parts can result in clogs, ink failure, and bad electrical connections.
7. Slide the new print cartridge forward into the empty slot. Then gently push on the 
upper part of the print cartridge forward until it clicks into the socket. 
If you are installing the tri-color print cartridge, slide it into the left slot.
If you are installing a black or photo print cartridge, slide it into the right slot.
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							8.Close the print cartridge door.
9.If the print cartridge alignment sheet prints, load it on the left front corner of the glass 
with the top of the page to the left.
10. Press the Scan button. 
The HP All-in-One aligns the print cartridges. Recycle or discard the print cartridge 
alignment sheet. 
Related topics 
•Check the estimated ink levels 
•Control panel buttons
Use ink-backup mode
Use the ink-backup mode to operate the HP All-in-One with only one print cartridge. The 
ink-backup mode is initiated when a print cartridge is removed from the print cartridge 
cradle.
NOTE: When the HP All-in-One operates in ink-backup mode, a message is 
displayed on screen. If the me ssage is displayed and two print cartridges are installed 
in the device, verify that the protective piece of plastic tape has been removed from 
each print cartridge. When plastic tape covers the print cartridge contacts, the device
cannot detect that the print cartridge is installed.
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							For more information about ink-backup mode, see the following topics: 
•Ink-backup mode output 
•Exit ink-backup mode 
Ink-backup mode output 
Printing in ink-backup mode slows the HP All-in-One and affects the quality of printouts.
Installed pr int cartridgeResult
Black print cartridgeColors print as grayscale.
Tri-color print cartridgeColors print but black is grayed and is not a true black.
Photo print cartridgeColors print as grayscale.
NOTE:HP does not recommend using the photo print cartridge for ink-backup mode.
NOTE:Your printer might be packaged with only a tri-color print cartridge. For better 
results, install a black print cartridge in addition to the tri-color print cartridge. You can 
print without a black print cartridge but doing so can cause the printer to print more
slowly and printed colors to differ from those you would see if a black print cartridge 
and a tri-color print cartridge were installed. 
Some models of the HP All-in-One do not support photo print cartridges.
To order print cartridges, go to www.hp.com . Choose your country/region, and then 
click  Buy or Online Shopping.
Exit ink-backup mode 
Install two print cartridges in the HP All-in-One to exit ink-backup mode.
For information about installing a print cartridge, see Replace the print cartridges .
Use a photo print cartridge
You can optimize the quality of the color photos you print and copy with the HP All-in- 
One by purchasing a photo print cartridge. Remove the black print cartridge and insert
the photo print cartridge in its place. With the tri-color print cartridge and photo print 
cartridge installed,  you have a six-ink system, which provides enhanced quality color 
photos. 
When you want to print regular text documents, swap the black print cartridge back in. 
Use a print cartridge protector or an airtight  plastic container to keep your print cartridge 
secure when it is not being used.
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							NOTE:Your printer might be packaged with only a tri-color print cartridge. For better 
results, install a black print cartridge in addition to the tri-color print cartridge. You can
print without a black print cartridge but doing so can cause the printer to print more 
slowly and printed colors to differ from those you would see if a black print cartridge 
and a tri-color print cartridge were installed. 
Some models of the HP All-in-One do not support photo print cartridges.
To order print cartridges, go to www.hp.com . Choose your country/region, and then 
click  Buy or Online Shopping.
Related topics 
•Replace the print cartridges 
•Control panel buttons
Store the print cartridges
Follow these guidelines to maintain and store  HP print cartridges and to ensure consistent 
print quality. 
•Print cartridge storage and handling 
•Print cartridge protector 
Print cartridge storage and handling 
Follow these guidelines to help maintain HP print cartridges and ensure consistent print 
quality: 
• Install the cartridge on or before the Install by date, which is printed on the cartridge 
package. 
• When you remove a print cartridge from the device, store it in an airtight plastic 
container to prevent the ink from drying out. If you are storing a photo print cartridge,
you can use a print cartridge protector. For more information, see Print cartridge
protector . 
• Keep all unused print cartridges in their original sealed packages until they are 
needed. Store print cartridges at room temperature (15–35 degrees C or 59–95 
degrees F). 
• Do not remove the plastic tape covering the ink nozzles until you are ready to install 
the print cartridge in the device. If the plastic tape has been removed from the print
cartridge, do not attempt to  reattach it. Reattaching the tape damages the print 
cartridge.
CAUTION: Always turn the HP All-in-One off with the Power button before you 
unplug the power cord or turn off a power strip. This allows the device to store the
print cartridges properly. When you store the HP All-in-One, always leave the active 
print cartridges inside the device.
Print cartridge protector 
In some countries/regions, when you purchase a photo print cartridge, you might also 
receive a print cartridge protector. In other countries/regions, a print cartridge protector
comes in the box with the HP All-in-One. If neither your print cartridge nor the HP All-in-
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							One came with a print cartridge protector, you can use an airtight plastic container to 
protect your print cartridge. 
The print cartridge protector is designed to keep a print cartridge secure and prevent it 
from drying out when it is not being used. Whenever you remove a print cartridge from
the HP All-in-One with the intention of using it again later, store it in the print cartridge
protector. For example, store the black print cartridge in a print cartridge protector if you 
are removing it so you can print high-quality photos with the photo and tri-color print
cartridges.
NOTE: Your printer might be packaged with only a tri-color print cartridge. For better 
results, install a black print cartridge in addition to the tri-color print cartridge. You can
print without a black print cartridge but doing so can cause the printer to print more
slowly and printed colors to differ from those you would see if a black print cartridge 
and a tri-color print cartridge were installed. 
Some models of the HP All-in-One do not support photo print cartridges.
To order print cartridges, go to www.hp.com . Choose your country/region, and then 
click  Buy or Online Shopping.
To insert a print cartridge into the print cartridge protector 
▲ Place the print cartridge into the print cartridge protector at a slight angle and snap it 
securely into place.
To remove the print cartridge from the print cartridge protector 
▲ Press down on the top of the print cartridge protector to release the print cartridge, 
then gently remove the print cartridge out of the print cartridge protector.
Align the print cartridges
The HP All-in-One prompts you to align cartridges every time you install or replace a print 
cartridge. You can also align the print cartridges at any time from the control panel or by
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