HP PhotoSmart D7163 User Manual

							Automatically clean the printhead
If you notice white lines or streaks on the photos you print, or in the color blocks of the
self test report, use this procedure to clean the print head. Do not clean the print head
unnecessarily, as this wastes ink and shortens the life of the ink nozzles on the print head.
1. Load paper in the Main tray. Use plain paper to conserve photo paper.
2. Select Settings and press OK.
3. Select Tools and press OK.
4. Select Clean printhead and press OK.
If print quality still seems poor after you clean the print head, try aligning the printer using
the procedure described in Aligning the printer. If print quality problems persist after
cleaning and aligning, contact HP support.
Manually clean the ink cartridge contacts
Clean the copper-colored ink cartridge contacts if a message appears on the printer
screen that says a cartridge is missing or damaged.
Before cleaning the ink cartridge contacts, remove the ink cartridge and verify that
nothing is covering the ink cartridge contacts or the ink cartridge slot, then reinstall the
ink cartridge. If you continue to get a message that says a cartridge is missing or
damaged, clean the ink cartridge contacts. If you still get this message after cleaning the
contacts, you will need a replacement ink cartridge. Remove the affected ink cartridge
and look at the end-of-warranty date on the bottom, in YYYY/MMM/DD format. If it is
before the end-of-warranty date, contact HP support to obtain a replacement ink
cartridge.
To clean the ink cartridge contacts:
1. Gather the following items to clean the contacts:
– Distilled, filtered, or bottled water (tap water may contain contaminants that can
damage the ink cartridge)
CautionDo not use platen cleaners or alcohol to clean the ink cartridge
contacts. These can damage the ink cartridge or the HP Photosmart
printer.
– Dry foam rubber swabs, lint-free cloth, or any soft material that will not come
apart or leave fibers.
2. Open the top cover of the printer.
3. Squeeze the gray tab below an ink cartridge slot to release the gray latch inside the
printer, then lift the latch.
CautionDo not remove multiple ink cartridges at the same time. Remove
and clean each ink cartridge one at a time. Do not leave the ink cartridge
outside the printer for more than 30 minutes.
4. Lightly moisten a swab or cloth with water and squeeze out any excess water.
5. Hold the ink cartridge by its handle and gently wipe only the copper-colored contacts
with the swab or cloth.
Chapter 6
38HP Photosmart D7100 series
 
						

							1Gently wipe only the copper-colored contacts
6. Place the ink cartridge back into the empty slot and press down on the gray latch
until it clicks into place.
7. Repeat if necessary for the other ink cartridges.
8. Close the top cover.
CautionThe ink supply may become pressurized. Inserting a foreign object into
the ink supply could result in ink being expelled and coming in contact with
persons or property.
Print a self test report
If you are experiencing problems with printing, print a self test report. This two-page report
—labelled the Extended Self Test Diagnostic Page—can help you diagnose printing
problems and can provide valuable information if you need to call HP Support. You can
also use this report to check on the approximate percentage of ink remaining in the ink
cartridges.
1. Select Settings and press OK.
2. Select Tools and press OK, then scroll to Print test page.
3. Select Print test page and press OK.
The HP Photosmart prints a two-page self test report that contains the following
information:
●Product information: Includes the model number, serial number, and other product
information.
●Revision information: Includes the firmware version number and indicates whether
or not you have an HP two-sided printing accessory (duplexer) installed.
●Ink delivery system information: Displays the approximate ink level of each
installed ink cartridge, the status of each ink cartridge, the date each cartridge was
installed, and the expiration date for each cartridge.
●Print head assembly information: Contains information that may be used for
diagnostic purposes if you need to call HP Support.
●Print head parameters: Contains information that may be used for diagnostic
purposes if you need to call HP Support.
●Print quality pattern: Displays six color blocks, representing each of the six
installed cartridges. When streaks appear through the color blocks, or there are
missing color blocks, clean the print head using the procedure described in Care
and maintenance. If the color blocks still show print quality problems after cleaning
the print head, align the printer using the procedure described in Aligning the
printer. If the color blocks continue to show print quality problems after cleaning and
aligning, contact HP support.
●History log: Contains information that may be used for diagnostic purposes if you
need to call HP Support.
HP Photosmart D7100 series User Guide 39
 
						

							Self test report
Update the software
Download the latest printer software update periodically to ensure you have the latest
features and improvements. You can download printer software updates by going to
www.hp.com/support or by using HP Software Update.
NoteThe printer software update that you download from the HP Web site does
not update the HP Photosmart Premier software.
Downloading the software (Windows)
NoteMake sure you are connected to the Internet before you use HP Software
Update.
1. From the Windows Start menu, select Programs (in Windows XP, select All
Programs) > Hewlett-Packard > HP Software Update. The HP Software Update
window opens.
2. Click Check Now. HP Software Update searches the HP Web site for printer
software updates. If the computer does not have the most recent version of the
printer software installed, a software update appears in the HP Software Update
window.
NoteIf the computer has the most recent version of the printer software
installed, the following message appears in the HP Software Update window:
“No updates are available for your system at this time”.
3. If a software update is available, click the checkbox next to the software update to
select it.
4. Click Install.
5. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the installation.
Chapter 6
40HP Photosmart D7100 series
 
						

							Downloading the software (Mac)
NoteMake sure you are connected to the Internet before you use
HP Photosmart Updater.
1. On your Mac in the Finder, choose Go > Applications.
2. Choose Hewlett-Packard > Photosmart > HP Photosmart Updater.
3. Follow the onscreen instructions to check for software updates.
If you are behind a firewall, you need to enter the proxy server information in the
updater.
Store and transport the printer and ink cartridges
Protect the printer and ink cartridges by storing them properly when you are not using
them.
Store and transport the printer
The printer is built to withstand long or short periods of inactivity. Store the printer indoors
out of direct sunlight in a place without temperature extremes.
CautionTo prevent ink loss or spillage: do not transport or store the printer on
its side, and leave the ink cartridges installed while storing and transporting the
printer.
Store and transport the ink cartridges
When you transport or store the printer, always leave the active ink cartridge inside the
printer to prevent the ink from drying out.
Caution 1To prevent ink loss or spillage: leave the ink cartridges installed while
storing and transporting the printer, and avoid leaving used ink cartridge(s) out of
the printer for extended lengths of time.
Caution 2Make sure the printer completes its power-down cycle before you
unplug the power cord. This allows the printer to store the print head properly.
Follow this tip to help maintain your HP ink cartridges and ensure consistent print quality:
Keep all unused ink cartridges in their original sealed packages until they are needed.
Store ink cartridges at room temperature (15-35 °C or 59-95 °F).
Maintain the quality of photo paper
For best results with photo paper, follow the guidelines in this section.
To store photo paper
●Store the photo paper in its original packaging or in a resealable plastic bag.
●Store the packaged photo paper on a flat, cool, and dry surface.
●Return unused photo paper to the plastic bag. Paper left in the printer or exposed
to the elements may curl.
HP Photosmart D7100 series User Guide 41
 
						

							To handle photo paper
●Always hold photo paper by the edges to avoid fingerprints.
●If the photo paper has curled edges, place it in its plastic storage bag and gently
bend it in the opposite direction of the curl until the paper lies flat.
Chapter 6
42HP Photosmart D7100 series
 
						

							7Troubleshooting
The HP Photosmart printer is designed to be reliable and easy to use. This chapter
answers frequently asked questions about using the printer and printing without a
computer. It contains information about the following topics:
●Printer hardware problems
●Printing problems
●Error messages
For additional troubleshooting information, see:
●Software installation troubleshooting: The Quick Start guide that came with the
printer.
●Printer software and printing from a computer troubleshooting: The onscreen
HP Photosmart Printer Help. For information about viewing the onscreen
HP Photosmart Printer Help, see Welcome.
Printer hardware problems
Before contacting HP support, read this section for troubleshooting tips or go to the online
support services at www.hp.com/support.
NoteIf you want to connect the printer to a computer with a USB cable, HP
recommends using a 2.0 high-speed compliant cable 3 meters (10 feet) or less
in length.
The Print light is flashing blue but the printer is not printing
SolutionThe printer is busy processing information; wait for it to finish.
The Attention light is on
Solution
●Check the printer screen for instructions. If a digital camera is connected to the
printer, check the camera screen for instructions. If the printer is connected to
a computer, check the computer monitor for instructions.
●Turn off the printer, then unplug its power cord. Wait about 10 seconds, then
plug it in again. Turn on the printer.
If the Attention light stays on after trying the above solutions, go to www.hp.com/
support, or contact HP Support for help.
HP Photosmart D7100 series User Guide 43
 
						

							The printer does not find the photos I stored on my memory card
SolutionThe memory card may contain file types the printer cannot read directly
from the card.
●Save the photos to a computer, then print them from the computer. For more
information, see the onscreen HP Photosmart help and the documentation that
came with the camera.
●The next time you take photos, set the digital camera to save them in a file
format the printer can read directly from the memory card. For a list of supported
file formats, see Printer specifications. For instructions on setting the digital
camera to save photos in specific file formats, see the documentation that came
with the camera.
The memory card may need to be reformatted if the problem persists.
The printer is plugged in but will not turn on
Solution
●The printer may have drawn too much power. Unplug the printer power cord.
Wait about 10 seconds, then plug the cord back in. Turn on the printer.
●The printer may be plugged into a power strip that is turned off. Turn on the
power strip, then turn on the printer.
●The power cord could be defective. Make sure the green light on the power cord
is lit.
The printer makes noises when I turn it on, or starts making noises after sitting
unused for a while
SolutionThe printer may make noises after long periods of inactivity
(approximately 2 weeks) or when its power supply has been interrupted and then
restored. This is normal operation. The printer is performing an automatic
maintenance procedure to ensure it produces the best quality output.
All the lights are flashing on the printer
SolutionThe printer has encountered a hardware error and may need to be
serviced. Unplug the power cord to the printer. Wait about 10 seconds, and then
plug it in again. Turn on the printer. If the lights are still flashing, please go to
www.hp.com/support, or contact HP Support for help.
Printing problems
Before contacting HP support, read this section for troubleshooting tips or go to the online
support services at www.hp.com/support.
Chapter 7
44HP Photosmart D7100 series
 
						

							The printer does not print borderless photos when I print from the control panel
SolutionMake sure the correct layout is selected when setting up the print job.
When selecting photo and paper size, the image rectangle must be solidly filled with
orange to indicate a borderless print.
Printing is very slow
SolutionYou may have one of the following situations: 1) you may be printing a
PDF or a project containing high-resolution graphics or photos or 2) you may have
selected the highest resolution for your printout. Large, complex projects containing
graphics or photos print slower than text documents, especially at higher resolutions.
Paper does not feed into the printer correctly from the Main tray
Solution
●There may be too much paper loaded in the tray. Remove some paper and try
printing again.
●The Main tray may not be pushed in all the way. Push the Main tray all the way in.
●The paper guides may not be adjusted correctly. Make sure the paper-width
and paper-length guides fit close to the edges of the paper without bending the
paper.
●Two or more pieces of paper may be sticking together. Remove the paper from
the Main tray, fan the edges of the stack to separate the sheets of paper, then
reload the paper and try printing again.
●If the paper is wrinkled or bent, try using different paper.
●The paper may be too thin or too thick. Use HP inkjet paper for best results. For
more information, see Choose the right paper.
Printed pages are dropping off of the Output tray
SolutionAlways extend the Output tray extension when you print.
The printout is rippled or curled
SolutionThe project you are printing uses a larger amount of ink than normal.
Print the project from a computer, and use the printer software to lower the ink
saturation level. See the onscreen HP Photosmart help for more information.
The document printed at an angle or is off-center
Solution
●The paper may not be loaded correctly. Reload the paper, making sure it is
correctly oriented in the Main tray and that the paper-width and paper-length
HP Photosmart D7100 series User Guide 45
 
						

							guides fit close to the edges of the paper. For paper-loading instructions, see
Paper loading tips.
●If you are using a two-sided printing accessory, try removing it, replacing the
rear access door, and printing again.
●The printer may need to be aligned. For more information, see Aligning the
printer.
Colors are not printing satisfactorily
Solution
●One of the color ink cartridges may be empty, resulting in another color being
substituted during printing. Check the estimated ink levels by viewing the ink
level icons from the Tools menu (Settings > Tools > Display Ink Gauge). If an
ink cartridge is empty, replace it. For more information, see Insert ink cartridges.
●The printer may need to be aligned. For more information, see Aligning the
printer.
●The print head may need to be cleaned. For more information, see Care and
maintenance.
No page came out of the printer or the paper jammed while printing
Solution
●The printer may need attention. Read the printer screen for instructions.
●The power may be off or there may be a loose connection. Make sure the power
is on and the power cord is securely connected.
●You may not have any paper in the Main tray or Photo tray. Check that the paper
is loaded correctly. For paper-loading instructions, see Paper loading tips.
●If the paper jammed while printing, try the following:
– Turn off the printer, then unplug it from the power source. Clear the printer
of any paper obstructing the paper path. Remove the rear access door.
Gently remove the jammed paper from the printer, then replace the rear
access door. If all jammed paper cannot be removed from the rear area of
the printer, try removing paper jammed in the middle of the printer by
opening the paper jam door located inside the top cover. For illustrations
of the two places to clear a paper jam, see Paper errors. When you are
finished clearing the paper jam, plug the printer back in, turn it on, and try
printing again.
– If you were printing labels, make sure a label did not become unglued from
the label sheet while going through the printer.
A blank page came out of the printer
Solution
●You may have begun printing and then cancelled the print job.
Chapter 7
46HP Photosmart D7100 series
 
						

							If you cancelled the print job before printing started, the printer may have already
loaded paper in preparation for printing. The next time you print, the printer
ejects the blank page before starting the new printing project.
●A print job with a large amount of data may have been sent to the printer.
Wait for the printer to service the print head before it continues printing.
The printer asked me to print an alignment page
SolutionPeriodically, the printer needs to perform a print head alignment to
maintain optimal print quality.
When prompted, load plain letter or A4 paper. Discard or recycle the alignment page.
The photo did not print using the default print settings
SolutionYou may have changed the print settings for the selected photo. Print
settings you apply to an individual photo override the default print settings. Discard
all print settings that have been applied to an individual photo by deselecting the
photo. For more information, see Settings.
The printer ejects the paper when preparing to print
SolutionDirect sunlight could be interfering with the operation of the automatic
paper sensor. Move the printer out of direct sunlight.
Print quality is poor
Solution
●One of the ink cartridges may be very low on ink, resulting in another color being
substituted during printing. Check the estimated ink levels by viewing the ink
level icons from the Tools menu (Settings > Tools > Display Ink Gauge). If an
ink cartridge is low on ink, replace it. For more information, see Insert ink
cartridges.
●Use photo paper designed for the printer. For best results, use the papers
recommended in Choose the right paper.
●You may be printing on the wrong side of the paper. Make sure the paper is
loaded with the side to be printed facing down.
●You may have selected a low-resolution setting on the digital camera. 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.
●There may be a problem with an ink cartridge or with the print head. Try the
following:
– Remove and then reinsert each ink cartridge, one at a time, to make sure
they are all properly seated.
– Run the automatic print head cleaning procedure. For more information,
see Care and maintenance.
HP Photosmart D7100 series User Guide 47