HP DeskJet F4180 User Manual

							4.If the problem persists, print a self-test report to determine if there is a problem with 
the print cartridges. 
This report provides useful information about your print cartridges, including status 
information. 
5. If the self-test report shows a problem, clean the print cartridges. 
6. Clean only the copper-colored contacts. Allow the print cartridges to dry for 
approximately ten minutes before reinserting.
1Copper-colored contacts
2Ink nozzles (do not clean)
7. If you are still experiencing problems with printing, determine which print cartridge is 
experiencing the problem and replace it. 
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.
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							To print a self-test report 
1. Load letter or A4 unused plain white paper into the input tray. 
2. Press and hold the Cancel button and then press the Start Copy Color button. 
The HP All-in-One prints a self-test report, which might indicate the source of the 
printing problem. A sample of the ink test area of the report is shown below.
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 print cartridge in the right slot. 
• 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. 
To clean the print cartridges fr om the HP Photosmart Software 
1. Load letter, A4, or legal unused plain white paper into the input tray. 
2. 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. 
3. Click the Device Services tab. 
4. Click Clean the Print Cartridges. 
5. Follow the prompts until you are satisfied with the quality of the output, and then 
click  Done. 
If copy or print quality still seems poor after you clean the print cartridges, try cleaning 
the print cartridge contacts before replacing the affected print cartridge. 
To clean the print cartridge contacts 
1. Turn on the HP All-in-One and open the print cartridge door. 
The print carriage moves to the center of the HP All-in-One. 
2. Wait until the print carriage is idle and silent, and then unplug the power cord from 
the back of the HP All-in-One.
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							3.Lightly press down on the print cartridge to release it, and then pull it toward you out 
of the slot.
NOTE: Do not remove both print cartridges at the same time. Remove and clean 
each print cartridge one at a time. Do not leave a print cartridge outside the HP All-
in-One for more than 30 minutes.
4. Inspect the print cartridge contacts for ink and debris buildup. 
5. Dip a clean foam rubber swab or lint-free cloth into distilled water, and squeeze any 
excess water from it. 
6. Hold the print cartridge by its sides. 
7. Clean only the copper-colored contacts. Allow the print cartridges to dry for 
approximately ten minutes before reinserting.
1Copper-colored contacts
2Ink nozzles (do not clean)
8. Slide the print cartridge back into the slot. Push the print cartridge forward until it clicks 
into place. 
9. Repeat if necessary for the other print cartridge. 
10. Gently close the print cartridge door and plug the power cord into the back of the 
HP All-in-One.
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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.
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.
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.
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							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 
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.
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							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.
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 th e print cartridges. Recycle or discard the print cartridge 
alignment sheet.
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							Information on print cartridges
For best results, use HP print cartridges. The following tips help maintain HP print 
cartridges and ensure consistent print quality. 
• Keep all print cartridges in the original sealed packages until they are needed. 
• Store print cartridges at room temperature (15.6°-26.6° C or 60°-78° F). 
• Do not reattach the protective tape once it has been removed from the print cartridge. 
Reattaching the plastic tape might damage the print cartridge. Place the print cartridge
in the HP All-in-One immediately after removing the plastic tape. If this is not possible, 
store it in a print cartridge protector or airtight plastic container. 
• HP recommends that you do not remove the print cartridges from the HP All-in-One 
until you have replacement print cartridges available to install. 
• Turn off the HP All-in-One from the control panel. Do not turn off the device by turning 
off a power strip or unplugging the power cord from the HP All-in-One. If you 
improperly turn off the HP All-in-One, the print carriage does not return to the correct
position and the print cartridges can dry out. 
• Do not open the print cartridge door unless necessary. This exposes the print 
cartridges to air, which reduces the life of the print cartridges.
NOTE: If you leave the print cartridge door open for a long period of time, the 
HP All-in-One will recap the print cartridges to protect them from exposure to air.
• Clean the print cartridges when you notice a significant decrease in print quality.
TIP:You might notice a decrease in print quality if the print cartridges have not 
been used for a long time.
• Do not clean the print cartridges unnecessarily. This wastes ink and shortens the life 
of the cartridges. 
• Handle print cartridges carefully. Dropping, jarring, or rough handling during 
installation can cause temporary printing problems. If print quality is poor right after
cartridge installation, allow half an hour for the print cartridge to recover. 
For more info rmation, see:
Print cartridge troubleshooting
Print quality troubleshooting
If you are having problems with print quality, try the solutions in this section and observe 
the following guidelines: 
• Replace refilled or empty cartridges. 
• Check the device settings to make sure that the print mode and paper selection is 
correct for the paper and the task. 
For more information, see Set the paper type for printing  and Choose papers for
printing and copying.
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							•Print and evaluate a self-test. 
For more information, see Print a self-test report . 
If the self-test shows a defect, try the following: 
• Clean the print cartridges automatically. For more information, see Clean the print
cartridges . 
• If you are missing lines when you print, clean the electrical contacts. For more 
information, see Clean the area around the ink nozzles . 
• Replace the print cartridge.  For more information, see Replace the print
cartridges. 
• If the self-test does not show a problem, investigate other causes, such as the image 
file or software program. 
For additional print cartridge troubleshooting, visit the HP Web site at www.hp.com/
support . 
This section contains the following topics:
•Ink is bleeding or smearing 
•Ink is not filling the text or graphics completely 
•The text edges are jagged 
•The printout has a horizontal band of distortion near the bottom of the page 
•Printouts or copies seem blurry or fuzzy 
•Printouts or copies have vertical streaks
•Paper is not picked up from the input tray 
•Printouts or copies are slanted or skewed 
Ink is bleeding or smearing 
Cause: The paper type is not suitable for the HP All-in-One. 
Solution: Use HP Premium Papers or any other paper type that is appropriate for 
the HP All-in-One.
Cause: The print cartridges need to be cleaned. 
Solution: Check the estimated ink levels remaining in the print cartridges. If the 
print cartridges are low or out of ink, you might need to replace the print cartridges. 
If there is ink remaining in the print cartridges, but you are still noticing a problem, 
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. 
For more information, see:
•Print cartridge troubleshooting 
•Print a self-test report
Cause: The paper is too close to the print cartridge during printing. 
Solution: 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
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							a mailing envelope. Make sure the paper lays flat in the input tray and is not too 
wrinkled.
Ink is not filling the text or graphics completely 
Cause: The print cartridges need to be cleaned or might be out of ink. 
Solution: Check the estimated ink levels remaining in the print cartridges. If the 
print cartridges are low or out of ink, you might need to replace the print cartridges. 
If there is ink remaining in the print cartridges, but you are still noticing a problem, 
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. 
For more information on print cartridges, see Print cartridge troubleshooting .
Cause:The copy or print paper type setting is incorrect. 
Solution: Change the paper type setting to match the type of paper loaded in the 
input tray. 
For more information, see: 
•Set the paper type for printing 
•Set the copy paper type
Cause: The print quality or copy setting on the HP All-in-One is set too low. 
Solution: Check the quality setting. Use a higher quality setting to increase the 
amount of ink used for printing. 
For more information, see:
•Change the print speed or quality 
•Change copy speed
The text edges are jagged 
Cause: The font is a custom size. 
Solution: 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. 
Use TrueType or OpenType fonts to ensure that the HP All-in-One is able to print 
smooth fonts. When selecting a font, look for the TrueType or OpenType icon.
The printout has a horizontal band of distortion near the bottom of the page 
Cause: Your photo image has light blue, gray, or brown hues that print near the 
bottom of the page.
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							Solution:Load high-quality paper in the input tray and print the image with a high 
print quality sett ing, such as Best, Maximum dpi, or High Resolution. Always make 
sure the paper you are printing on is flat. For best results when printing images,
use HP Premium Plus Photo Paper. 
If the problem persists, use the software you installed with the HP All-in-One or 
another software application to rotate your image 180 degrees so that the light blue, 
gray, or brown hues in your image do not print at the bottom of the page. Print the
image using six-ink printing. To do so, install the photo print cartridge in place of the 
black print cartridge. With the photo print cartridge and the tri-color print cartridge
installed, you have a six-ink system, which provides enhanced quality photos. 
For more information, see:
•Information on paper 
•Print cartridge troubleshooting
Printouts or copies seem blurry or fuzzy 
Cause: The paper type is not suitable for the HP All-in-One. 
Solution: If the paper you are using is too fibrous, the ink applied by the HP All-in- 
One might not fully cover the surface of the paper. Use HP Premium Papers or any 
other paper type that is appropriate for the HP All-in-One. 
For more information, see:
Information on paper
Cause: The copy or print paper type setting is incorrect. 
Solution: Change the paper type setting to match the type of paper loaded in the 
input tray. 
For more information, see:
•Set the paper type for printing 
•Set the copy paper type
Cause: The print quality or copy setting on the HP All-in-One is set too low. 
Solution: Check the quality setting. Use a higher quality setting to increase the 
amount of ink used for printing. 
For more information, see:
•Change the print speed or quality 
•Change copy speed
Cause: You are printing on the wrong side of the paper. 
Solution: Load paper with the side you want to print on facing down. For example, 
if you are loading glossy pho to paper, load the paper with the glossy side down.
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