HP PhotoSmart C7283 User Manual

							
If the self-test report shows a defect, try the following:
• Clean the ink cartridges automatically. For more information, see “
Clean the print
head” on page 162.
• If you are missing lines when you print, clean the electrical contacts. For more information, see  “
Clean the ink cartridge contacts” on page 163 .
• If the self-test report does not show a problem, investigate other causes, such as the
image file or software program.
For additional ink cartridge troubleshooting, visit the HP Web site at 
www.hp.com/
support .
This section contains the following topics:
•
Ink is bleeding or smearing
•
The automatic document  feeder picks up too many  pages or none at all
•
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
•
Colors run into each other on the printout
•
Printouts have horizontal streaks or lines
•
Printouts are faded or have dull colors
•
Printouts seem blurry or fuzzy
•
Printouts have vertical streaks
•
Printouts are slanted or skewed
•
Ink is overspraying the paper when I print a photo
•
Paper is not picked up from the input tray
•
The print quality of the fax I received is poor
•
Some of the pages of a fax I received are faded or blank
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 head needs to be cleaned.
Solution: Clean the print head, and then print a self-test report. Check the color
blocks in the report for any problems. If the  color blocks show print quality problems,
perform a printer alignment.
If the problem persists after cleaning and aligning, contact HP support for help. Go
to:
www.hp.com/support
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190 Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
 
						

							
If prompted, choose your country/region, and then click Contact HP for information
on calling for technical support.
For more information, see:
•“
Clean the print head” on page 162
•“
Print a self-test report” on page 149
•“
Align the printer” on page 161
Cause: The paper is too close to the print head.
Solution: If the paper is too close to the print head during printing, the ink might be
smeared. This can happen if the paper is raised, wrinkled, or very thick, such as a
mailing envelope. Make sure the paper lays flat in the input tray and is not wrinkled.
The automatic document feeder picks up too many pages or none at all
Cause: The separator pad or rollers inside the automatic document feeder might
need to be cleaned. Pencil lead, wax, or ink can build up on the rollers and separator
pad after extensive use, or if you copy handwritten originals or originals that are heavy
with ink.
• If the automatic document feeder does not pick up any pages at all, the rollers
inside the automatic document feeder need to be cleaned.
• If the automatic document feeder picks up multiple pages instead of single sheets,
the separator pad inside the automatic document feeder needs to be cleaned.
Solution: Load one or two sheets of unused plain white full-size paper into the
document feeder tray and press  Start Copy Black. As the plain paper passes through
the automatic document feeder, the paper releases and absorbs residue from the
rollers and separator pad.
TIP: If the automatic document feeder does not pick up the plain paper, try
cleaning the front roller. Wipe the roller with a soft lint-free cloth dampened with
distilled water.
If the problem persists, or the automatic document feeder does not pick up the plain
paper, you can clean the rollers and separator pad manually.
For more information, see:
“
Clean the automatic document feeder” on page 173
Ink is not filling the text or graphics completely
Cause: The 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 copy paper type” on page 123
•“
Set the paper type for printing” on page 85
Print quality troubleshooting 191
Troubleshooting
 
						

							
Cause:The copy or print paper type setting is incorrect.
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.
For more information, see:
“
Information on paper” on page 171
Cause: The print head needs to be cleaned.
Solution: Clean the print head, and then print a self-test report. Check the color
blocks in the report for any problems. If the  color blocks show print quality problems,
perform a printer alignment.
If the problem persists after cleaning and aligning, contact HP support for help. Go
to:
www.hp.com/support
If prompted, choose your country/region, and then click  Contact HP for information
on calling for te chnical support.
For more information, see:
•“
Clean the print head” on page 162
•“
Print a self-test re port” on page 149
•“
Align the printer” on page 161
Cause: You are using non-HP ink.
Solution: HP recommends that you use genuine HP ink cartridges. Genuine HP
ink cartridges are designed and tested with  HP printers to help you easily produce
great results, time after time.
NOTE: HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP ink. Printer
service or repairs required as a result of printer failure or damage attributable to
the use of non-HP ink will not be covered under warranty.
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.
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192 Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
 
						

							
The printout has a horizontal band of distortion near the bottom of the pageCause: Your image has light blue, gray, or brown hues that print near the bottom
of the page.
Solution: Load high-quality paper in the input tray and print the image with a high
print quality setting, 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.
For more information, see:
“
Information on paper” on page 171
Colors run into each other on the printout
Cause: The print or copy quality setting is set too high for the type of paper loaded
in the HP All-in-One.
Solution: Check the quality setting. Use a lower quality setting to decrease the
amount of ink used for printing or copying.
For more information, see:
•“
Change the print speed or quality” on page 86
•“
Change copy speed or quality” on page 124
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: 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  photo paper, load the paper  with the glossy side down.
For more information, see:
“
Load paper” on page 76
Cause: You are using non-HP ink.
Solution: HP recommends that you use genuine HP ink cartridges. Genuine HP
ink cartridges are designed and tested with HP printers to help you easily produce
great results, time after time.
NOTE: HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP ink. Printer
service or repairs required as a result of printer failure or damage attributable to
the use of non-HP ink will not be covered under warranty.
Cause: The print head needs to be cleaned.
Print quality troubleshooting 193
Troubleshooting
 
						

							
Solution:Clean the print head, and then print a self-test report. Check the color
blocks in the report for any problems. If the  color blocks show print quality problems,
perform a printer alignment.
If the problem persists after cleaning and aligning, contact HP support for help. Go
to:
www.hp.com/support
If prompted, choose your country/region, and then click  Contact HP for information
on calling for te chnical support.
For more information, see:
•“
Clean the print head” on page 162
•“
Print a self-test re port” on page 149
•“
Align the printer” on page 161
Printouts have horizontal streaks or lines
Cause: The paper is not feeding properly or is loaded incorrectly.
Solution: Make sure the paper is loaded correctly.
For more information, see:
“
Load full-size paper” on page 76
Cause: The copy or print paper type setting is incorrect.
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.
For more information, see:
“
Information on paper” on page 171
Cause: The sending fax machine is having problems.
Solution: Ask the sender to check their fax machine for any problems.
Cause:The phone line connection is noisy. Phone lines with poor sound quality
(noise) can cause print quality problems.
Solution: If the failure was due to noise on the phone line, contact the sender to
have them resend the fax. The quality might be better when you try again. You can
check the sound quality of the phone line by plugging a phone into the telephone wall
jack and listening for static or other noise. If the problem persists, contact your
telephone company.
Chapter 15
194 Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
 
						

							
Cause:The print head needs to be cleaned.
Solution: Clean the print head, and then print a self-test report. Check the color
blocks in the report for any pr oblems. If the color blocks show print quality problems,
perform a printer alignment.
If the problem persists after cleaning and aligning, contact HP support for help. Go
to:
www.hp.com/support
If prompted, choose your country/region, and then click  Contact HP for information
on calling for technical support.
For more information, see:
•“
Clean the print head” on page 162
•“
Print a self-test report” on page 149
•“
Align the printer” on page 161
Printouts are faded or have dull colors
Cause: The copy or print paper type setting is incorrect.
Solution: Load high-quality paper in the input tray and print the image with a high
print quality setting, 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.
For more information, see:
“
Information on paper” on page 171
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 Lighter/Darker  copy setting for the HP All-in-One is set too light.
Solution: Adjust the lightness and darkness of the copies.
For more information, see:
“
Adjust the lightness and darkness of your copy” on page 125
Cause: The Paper Type  setting is incorrect.
Print quality troubleshooting 195
Troubleshooting
 
						

							
Solution:Change the  Paper Type setting to match the type of paper loaded in the
input tray.
For more information, see:
•“
Set the copy paper type” on page 123
•“
Set the paper type for printing” on page 85
Cause: Copying a poor-quality picture, such as a newspaper photo, causes bands,
checks, or stripes to appear on your  copy. These are called moiré patterns.
Solution: To reduce moiré patterns, try placing one or more clear plastic sheet
protectors directly on the glass, and then place the original print side down on top of
the sheet protectors.
Cause: Debris might be stuck on the glass or on the back of the document lid; this
causes poor copy quality and slows down processing.
Solution: Clean the glass and the back of the document lid.
For more information, see:
•“
Clean the glass” on page 155
•“
Clean the lid backing” on page 157
Cause: The print head needs to be cleaned.
Solution: Clean the print head, and then print a self-test report. Check the color
blocks in the report for any problems. If the  color blocks show print quality problems,
perform a printer alignment.
If the problem persists after cleaning and aligning, contact HP support for help. Go
to:
www.hp.com/support
If prompted, choose your country/region, and then click  Contact HP for information
on calling for te chnical support.
For more information, see:
•“
Clean the print head” on page 162
•“
Print a self-test re port” on page 149
•“
Align the printer” on page 161
Printouts seem blurry or fuzzy
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 Paper Type  setting is incorrect.
Chapter 15
196 Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
 
						

							
Solution:Change the  Paper Type setting to match the type of paper loaded in the
input tray.
For more information, see:
•“
Set the copy paper type” on page 123
•“
Set the paper type for printing” on page 85
Cause: The copy or print paper type setting is incorrect.
Solution: Load high-quality paper in the input tray and print the image with a high
print quality setting, 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.
For more information, see:
“
Information on paper” on page 171
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  photo paper, load the paper  with the glossy side down.
For more information, see:
“
Load paper” on page 76
Cause: The fax sender is using a low resolution or the original was poor quality.
Solution: Ask the sender to increase the resolution and to verify the quality of the
original.
Printouts have vertical streaks
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 glass or automatic document feeder of the sending fax machine is dirty.
Solution: If you have vertical lines or streak s on the fax, the senders fax machine
might have dirt or dust on the glass or automatic document feeder. Check with the
sender to see if the glass or automatic document feeder is clean.
Printouts are slanted or skewed
Cause: The paper is not feeding properly or is loaded incorrectly.
Print quality troubleshooting 197
Troubleshooting
 
						

							
Solution:Make sure the paper is loaded correctly.
For more information, see:
“
Load full-size paper” on page 76
Cause: More than one type of paper is loaded in the input tray.
Solution: Load only one type of paper at a time.
Cause:The original might have been loaded incorrectly into the sending fax
machine.
Solution: Ask the sender to check that  the fax was sent correctly.
Cause:The Two-sided printing accessory might not be securely installed.
Solution: Make sure the Two-sided printing accessory on the back of the HP All-
in-One is securely installed.
Ink is overspraying the paper when I print a photo
Cause: A small amount (a few millimeters) of overspray is common when making
a copy of a photo. If there are more than a few millimeters of overspray, it might mean
the HP All-in-One thinks the paper loaded is wider than it actually is.
TIP: One way to tell if ink is overspraying the paper is to check the back side of
pages you print after running a copy or print job. If the back side of the page has
ink streaks, the HP All-in-One might have over sprayed your previous copy or print
job.
Solution: Check the paper size setting. Set the paper size to match the paper
loaded in the input tray.
For more information, see:
“
Set the copy paper size” on page 122
Paper is not picked up from the input tray
Cause: There is not enough paper in the input tray.
Solution: If the HP All-in-One is out of paper or there are only a few sheets
remaining, load more paper in the input tray. If there is paper in the input tray, remove
the paper, tap the stack of paper against a flat surface, and reload the paper into the
input tray. Follow the prompts on the display or the computer screen to continue your
print job.
For more information, see:
“
Load paper” on page 76
Chapter 15
198 Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
 
						

							
The print quality of the fax I received is poorCause: The phone line connection is noisy. Phone lines with poor sound quality
(noise) can cause print quality problems.
Solution: If the failure was due to noise on the phone line, contact the sender to
have them resend the fax. The quality might be better when you try again. You can
check the sound quality of the phone line by plugging a phone into the telephone wall
jack and listening for static or other noise. If the problem persists, contact your
telephone company.
Cause: The sending fax machine is having problems.
Solution: Ask the sender to check their fax machine for any problems.
Cause:The glass or automatic document feeder of the sending fax machine is dirty.
Solution: If you have vertical lines or streak s on the fax, the senders fax machine
might have dirt or dust on the glass or automatic document feeder. Check with the
sender to see if the glass or automatic document feeder is clean.
Cause: The print head needs to be cleaned.
Solution: Clean the print head, and then print a self-test report. Check the color
blocks in the report for any pr oblems. If the color blocks show print quality problems,
perform a printer alignment.
If the problem persists after cleaning and aligning, contact HP support for help. Go
to:
www.hp.com/support
If prompted, choose your country/region, and then click  Contact HP for information
on calling for technical support.
For more information, see:
•“
Clean the print head” on page 162
•“
Print a self-test report” on page 149
•“
Align the printer” on page 161
Some of the pages of a fax I received are faded or blank
Cause: The original might have been loaded incorrectly into the sending fax
machine.
Solution: Ask the sender to check that  the fax was sent correctly.
Cause:The HP All-in-One picked up two sheets of paper while printing the fax.
Solution: If the HP All-in-One has only a few sheets remaining, load more paper in
the input tray. If there is plenty of paper in  the input tray, remove the paper, tap the
stack of paper against a flat surface, and reload the paper into the input tray.
Cause: The paper loaded in the input tray is not suitable for your fax.
Print quality troubleshooting 199
Troubleshooting