HP Officejet Pro 8500 A Manual

Check the printheads
Print the print quality diagnostic page on a clean sheet of white paper. Evaluate any
problem areas, and perform the recommended actions. For more information, see
Printheadmaintenance.
Output is faded or dull colored
Check the print mode
TheDraft  or Fast  mode in the printer driver allows you to print at a faster rate, which is
good for printing drafts. To get better results, select  Normal or Best . For more
information, see 
Print.
Check the paper type setting
When printing on...

Check the printheads
Print the print quality diagnostic page on a clean sheet of white paper. Evaluate any
problem areas, and perform the recommended actions. For more information, see
Printheadmaintenance.
The printout has a horizontal band of distortion near the bottom of a borderless
print
Check the paper type
HP recommends that you use HP papers or any other paper type that is appropriate
for the printer. Always make sure the paper you are printing on is flat. Uncurl paper by
bending it in the...

Text or graphics are streaked 
Check the printheads
Print the print quality diagnostic page on a clean sheet of white paper. Evaluate any
problem areas, and perform the recommended actions. For more information, see
Printheadmaintenance.
Something on the page is missing or incorrect
Check the printheads
Print the print quality diagnostic page on a clean sheet of white paper. Evaluate any
problem areas, and perform the recommended actions. For more information, see
Printheadmaintenance.
Check the margin...

To check printhead health
Use one of the following means to check the printhead health. If any printhead has
a Replace status, then perform one or more of the maintenance functions, or clean or
replace the printhead.
•Self Test Diagnostic Report:  Print the self test diagnostic report on a clean sheet
of white paper, and check the printhead health section. For more information, see
UnderstandtheSelfTestDiagnosticPage.
• Embedded Web server:  Open the embedded Web server. For more information,
see...

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1Printer Information: Shows printer information (such as the printer model number, serial
number, and firmware version number), the number of pages printed from the trays and
duplexer, the ink level information, and the printhead health status.
NOTE: Ink level warnings and indicators provide estimates for planning purposes only.
When you receive a low-ink warning message, consider having a replacement cartridge
available to avoid possible printing delays. You do not need to replace cartridges...

Diagnostic page are not straight and connected, you can start the alignment process
manually. For more information, see 
UnderstandtheSelfTestDiagnosticPage.
NOTE:Before aligning the printheads, make sure you load plain paper. For more
information, see 
Loadmedia.
• Control panel:  Touch right arrow , touch Setup, touch  Tools, and then select
Align Printer .
• Embedded Web server:  Click the Settings tab, click  Device Services  in the left
pane, select  Align Printer  from the drop-down list in the...

•HP Software (Windows):  Open the HP software that was included with the
printer. Click the  Device Services  tab, and then click  Clean Printheads and follow
the onscreen instructions.
• HP Utility (Mac OS X):  Click the HP Utility  icon in the Dock, and then click  Clean
Printheads .
To clean the printhead contacts manually
After the printheads are installed, you might get a control-panel message telling you
the printer cannot print. If you receive this message, you might need to clean the
electrical...

4.Lift the handle of the printhead (which corresponds to the control-panel message)
and use it to pull the printhead out of its slot.
5.Obtain clean, dry, soft and lint-free cleaning material. Suitable materials include
paper coffee filters and eyeglass lens cleaning paper.
CAUTION: Do not use water.
6.Wipe the electrical contacts on the printhead but do not touch the nozzles.
NOTE: The electrical contacts are small copper-color squares, grouped on
one face of the printhead.
The nozzles are on a...

8.Clean the electrical contacts in the printhead slot inside the printer with a clean,
dry, soft and lint-free cloth.
9.Plug in the power cord and turn on the printer. The control panel should indicate
that the printhead is missing.
10. Insert the printhead into its color-coded slot (the label on the printhead must match
the label on the printhead latch). Press down firmly on the printhead to ensure
proper contact.
11. Where necessary, repeat the steps for the remaining printheads.
12. Pull the...

3.Lift the printhead latch.
4.Lift the handle of a printhead and use it to pull the printhead out of its slot.
Chapter 9
106 Solve a problem