HP Photosmart A636 User Manual

							I want to attach the printer to my computer to transfer photos only, but the software
installation program keeps appearing
Solution:To transfer photos from the printer to your computer without installing
software, disable Software Install Mode on the printer and then connect the printer
to your computer with a USB cable.
To disable Software Install Mode
1.Touch the Setup icon to display the Setup menu. For more information, see
“
Setup Menu” on page 16.
2.Touch Preferences.
3.Touch Software Install Mode.
4.Make sure Off is checked.
5.Turn the printer off, wait 10 seconds, and then turn the printer back on.
6.Check to see if the printer appears in Printers and Faxes.
Printing and hardware issues
This section contains the following topics:
•
The printer is plugged in, but it will not turn on.
•
The printout did not appear
•
The computer and printer lost communication
•
The printer would not print when it was connected to the computer with a USB cable
through another USB device
•
An Unknown device message appeared (Windows only)
•
The document or photo did not print using the selected default print settings
•
The printer did not print borderless photos
•
Could not save photos from the computer to the memory card
•
A blank page came out of the printer
•
Parts of the printed document are missing or are in the wrong place
•
Print quality is poor
The printer is plugged in, but it will not turn on.
Try the following solutions to resolve the issue. If the first solution does not solve the
problem, continue trying the remaining solutions until the issue is resolved.
•
Solution 1: Check the power cord
•
Solution 2: Press the On button once (and not quickly)
•
Solution 3: Unplug product and contact support online
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							Solution 1: Check the power cord
Solution:
• The printer may be plugged into a power strip that is turned off. Turn on the power
strip, and then turn on the printer.
• The printer may be plugged into an incompatible power source. If you are traveling
abroad, make certain the power source in the country/region you are visiting
complies with the power requirements and power cord of the printer.
• Check that the power adapter is functioning properly. To check the power adapter:
◦Make sure the power adapter is connected to your printer and a compatible
power source.
◦Press and hold down the On button on the printer. If the On button lights up,
then the power cord is working properly. If it fails to light, go to 
www.hp.com/
support or contact HP support.
• If you plugged the product into a switched outlet, make sure the switch is on. If it
is switched to on but still does not work, then there might be a problem with the
power outlet.
Cause:The printer might not be connected to a power source.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 2: Press the On button once (and not quickly)
Solution:The product might not respond if you press the On button too quickly.
Press the On button once. It might take a few minutes for the product to turn on. If
you press the On button again during this time, you might turn the product off.
Cause:You pressed the On button too quickly.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 3: Unplug product and contact support online
Solution:Unplug the product, wait for 10 seconds, and plug it back in. Check if the
product turns on. If this does not work, contact HP support.
Support options and availability vary by device, country/region, and language.
Go to: 
www.hp.com/support. If prompted, choose your country/region, and then click
Contact HP for information on calling for technical support.
Cause:The product might have a mechanical failure.
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							The printout did not appear
Try the following solution for this problem.
Solution:Try the following steps to clear the paper jam:
• If the paper came part way through the front of the printer, gently pull the paper
towards you to remove it.
• If the paper did not come part way through the front of the printer, try removing it
from the back of the printer:
◦Remove the paper from the input tray.
◦Gently pull the jammed paper to remove it from the back of the printer.
• If you cannot grasp the edge of the jammed paper to remove it, try the following:
◦Turn off the printer.
◦Turn on the printer. The printer checks for paper in the paper path and will
automatically eject the jammed paper.
• Press OK to continue.
Cause:The paper jammed while printing.
Solution:See the following section.
Cause:The computer and printer lost communication.
The computer and printer lost communication
Try the following solutions to resolve the issue. If the first solution does not solve the
problem, continue trying the remaining solutions until the issue is resolved.
•
Solution 1: Make sure the USB cable is securely attached
•
Solution 2: Make sure that the printer is turned on
•
Solution 3: Make sure that the printer power cord is securely attached
•
Solution 4: Wait until USB hub is not busy and try printing again
Solution 1: Make sure the USB cable is securely attached
Solution:Make sure the USB cable is securely attached to both the computer and
to the USB port on the back of the printer.
Cause:The computer might not be connected to the printer.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 2: Make sure that the printer is turned on
Solution:Make sure that the printer power cord is securely attached and the printer
is turned on.
Cause:The printer might be turned off.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
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							Solution 3: Make sure that the printer power cord is securely attached
Solution:Make sure that the printer power cord is securely attached and the printer
is turned on.
Cause:The printer might not be connected to a power source.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 4: Wait until USB hub is not busy and try printing again
Solution:Wait until the other device is no longer being accessed or connect the
printer directly to the computer.
If an HP Photosmart dialog box is displayed, click Retry to try to re-establish a
connection.
Cause:You might be using a USB hub or docking station that has multiple devices
connected to it. Accessing another device can temporarily break the connection to
the printer.
The printer would not print when it was connected to the computer with a USB cable
through another USB device
Try the following solution for this problem.
Solution:
1.Turn off the computer.
2.Connect the printer directly to a USB port on the computer.
3.Make sure the cable is securely attached to the computer and to the USB port on
the back of the printer.
4.Disconnect all USB devices (including the hub) from the computer.
5.Turn on the computer.
6.Try printing again. If the problem persists, repeat this procedure using a different
USB port on the computer.
Cause:Two-way communication between the printer and the computer was
interrupted by another device attached to the hub.
An Unknown device message appeared (Windows only)
Try the following solution for this problem.
Solution:
1.Disconnect the USB cable from the printer.
2.Disconnect the power cord from the printer.
3.Wait about 10 seconds.
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							4.Plug the power cord back into the printer.
5.Plug the USB cable back into the USB port on the back of the printer.
6.If the problem persists, unplug the power cord and the USB cable and uninstall
the printer software:
a. From the Windows Start menu, go to All Programs > HP  > HP Photosmart
A630 series > Uninstall.
b. Follow the onscreen instructions.
7.Turn the printer off, wait 10 seconds, and then turn the printer on.
8.Restart the computer.
9.Reinstall the printer software by connecting the printer to the computer again with
a USB cable. Follow the onscreen instructions.
Cause:Static electricity may have built up in the cable between the computer and
printer.
The software could not identify the printer because the printer-USB connection may
be defective.
The document or photo did not print using the selected default print settings
Try the following solution for this problem.
Solution:
To select print settings
1.Open the file that you want to print.
2.Follow the steps for your operating system.
Windows users
a. Select File, and then select Print.
b. Make sure the HP Photosmart A630 series is the selected printer.
c. Click Properties or Preferences.
NOTE:The path to the Printer Properties dialog box can vary depending
on the software program you are using.
Mac users
a. Choose File, and then choose Print.
b. Make sure the HP Photosmart A630 series is the selected printer.
3.Select any other print settings that you want, and then click OK (Windows) or
Print (Mac OS).
Cause:The printer default settings may be different than those in the software
application. The software application print settings override any that you set on the
printer.
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							The printer did not print borderless photos
Try the following solution for this problem.
Solution:
To turn on borderless printing when printing from the printer control panel
1.Touch the Setup icon to display the Setup menu. For more information, see
“
Setup Menu” on page 16.
2.Touch Preferences.
3.Touch Borderless.
4.Touch On to turn borderless printing on.
To turn on borderless printing when printing from a computer
1.Verify that the printer is turned on.
2.Load appropriate paper for current print job. For more information, see “
Load your
paper” on page 23.
3.Open the file that you want to print.
4.Follow the steps for your operating system.
Windows users
a. Select File, and then select Print.
b. Make sure the HP Photosmart A630 series is the selected printer.
c. Click Properties or Preferences.
NOTE:The path to the Printer Properties dialog box can vary depending
on the software program you are using.
Mac users
a. Choose File, and then choose Print.
b. Make sure the HP Photosmart A630 series is the selected printer.
c. Choose the Printer Features pane.
5.Click the Borderless check box to select it.
Cause:The borderless printing option may be turned off.
Could not save photos from the computer to the memory card
Try the following solution for this problem.
Solution:If the memory card has a lock switch, make sure it is in the unlocked
position.
Cause:The memory card may be locked.
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							A blank page came out of the printer
Try the following solution for this problem.
Solution:Print a test page. For more information, see “
Print a test page”
on page 63. Replace the print cartridge if necessary. For more information, see “
Insert
or replace the print cartridge” on page 60.
Cause:The print cartridge may be depleted of ink.
Parts of the printed document are missing or are in the wrong place
Try the following solution for this problem.
Solution:Make sure you have selected the correct paper size. For more
information, see “
Change the paper size” on page 53.
Cause:You may have selected an incorrect paper size.
Print quality is poor
Try the following solutions to resolve the issue. If the first solution does not solve the
problem, continue trying the remaining solutions until the issue is resolved.
•
Solution 1: Reduce image size
•
Solution 2: Use correct paper
•
Solution 3: Print on correct side of paper
•
Solution 4: Clean print cartridge
•
Solution 5: Replace print cartridge, if necessary
Solution 1: Reduce image size
Solution:Reduce the size of the image and try printing again. For better results in
the future, set the digital camera to a higher photo resolution.
Cause:You may have selected a low-resolution setting on the digital camera.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 2: Use correct paper
Solution:Make sure you are using a paper type intended for the printer. Use HP-
designed photo paper for best results when printing photos.
Choose paper that is specifically designed for the output rather than plain paper. Use
HP Advanced Photo Paper for best results when printing photos.
Cause:You may not be using the best paper type for the output.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
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							Solution 3: Print on correct side of paper
Solution:Make sure the paper is loaded with the side to be printed facing up.
Cause:You may be printing on the wrong side of the paper.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 4: Clean print cartridge
Solution:Clean the print cartridge. For more information, see “
Clean the print
cartridge automatically” on page 59.
Cause:You may need to clean the print cartridge.
Solution 5: Replace print cartridge, if necessary
Solution:Print a test page. For more information, see “
Print a test page”
on page 63. Replace the print cartridge if necessary. For more information, see “
Insert
or replace the print cartridge” on page 60.
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 the print cartridges until print quality becomes unacceptable.
Cause:The print cartridge may be low on ink.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Bluetooth printing problems
Before contacting HP support, read this section for troubleshooting tips, or go to the online
support services at 
www.hp.com/support. Be sure to also read the documentation that
came with your HP Bluetooth wireless printer adapter (if you are using one) and your
device with Bluetooth wireless technology.
•
My Bluetooth device cannot find the printer.
•
No page came out of the printer.
•
Print quality is poor.
•
The photo printed with borders.
•
My computer cannot set the device name using the Bluetooth wireless connection.
My Bluetooth device cannot find the printer.
Try the following solutions to resolve the issue. If the first solution does not solve the
problem, continue trying the remaining solutions until the issue is resolved.
•
Solution 1: Wait until Bluetooth printer is ready to receive data
•
Solution 2: Check Bluetooth Visibility setting
•
Solution 3: Check Bluetooth Security level setting
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							•Solution 4: Make sure you are using the correct Bluetooth passkey
•
Solution 5: Move Bluetooth device closer to the printer
Solution 1: Wait until Bluetooth printer is ready to receive data
Solution:If you are using the optional HP Bluetooth wireless printer adapter, make
sure the adapter is plugged into the camera port on the front of the printer. The light
on the adapter flashes when the adapter is ready to receive data.
Cause:The HP Bluetooth wireless printer adapter or the printer itself may not be
ready to receive data.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 2: Check Bluetooth Visibility setting
Solution:
1.Touch the Setup icon to display the Setup menu. For more information, see
“
Setup Menu” on page 16.
2.Touch Tools.
3.Touch Bluetooth, and then touch Visibility.
4.Touch Visible to all.
Cause:Bluetooth Visibility may be set to Not visible.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 3: Check Bluetooth Security level setting
Solution:
1.Touch the Setup icon to display the Setup menu. For more information, see
“
Setup Menu” on page 16.
2.Touch Tools.
3.Touch Bluetooth.
4.Touch Security level.
5.Touch Low.
Cause:Bluetooth Security level may be set to High.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 4: Make sure you are using the correct Bluetooth passkey
Solution:Make sure the correct passkey for the printer is entered in the device with
Bluetooth wireless technology.
Cause:The passkey (PIN) that the device with Bluetooth wireless technology is
using for the printer may be incorrect.
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							If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 5: Move Bluetooth device closer to the printer
Solution:Move the device with Bluetooth wireless technology closer to the printer.
The maximum recommended distance between the device with Bluetooth wireless
technology and the printer is 10 meters (30 feet).
Cause:You may be too far from the printer.
No page came out of the printer.
Solution:For a list of the file formats that the printer supports, see “
Specifications”
on page 87.
Cause:The printer may not recognize the type of file sent by the device with
Bluetooth wireless technology.
Print quality is poor.
Solution:For better results, set the digital camera to a higher resolution. Photos
taken with VGA-resolution cameras, such as those found in wireless phones, may
not have high enough resolution to produce a high-quality print.
Cause:The photo you printed may be low resolution.
The photo printed with borders.
Solution:Contact the vendor of the device with Bluetooth wireless technology, or
go to their support Web site to obtain the latest updates for the printing program.
Cause:The printing program installed on your device with Bluetooth wireless
technology may not support borderless printing.
My computer cannot set the device name using the Bluetooth wireless connection.
Solution:Set the printer Bluetooth device name using the printer Setup Menu.
Use the following instructions to set the Bluetooth device name.
1.Touch the Setup icon to display the Setup menu. For more information, see
“
Setup Menu” on page 16.
2.Touch Tools.
3.Touch Bluetooth, and then touch Device Name.
4.Select a Bluetooth device name from the list of device name choices given in the
menu.
Cause:The Bluetooth device name is not set using the printer menu.
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