HP Photosmart Premium C309 User Manual

							3.Press the down arrow button to highlight Tools, and then press OK.
4.Press the down arrow button to highlight Print Quality Report, and then press OK.
The product prints a print quality report that you can use to diagnose print quality issues.
To evaluate the print quality report
1.Check the ink levels shown on the page. If a cartridge shows very low ink levels and you find the print quality
unacceptable, consider replacing that ink cartridge. Print quality typically deteriorates as cartridges run out
of ink.
NOTE: 1If the print quality report is not legible, you can check the estimated ink levels from the control
panel or HP Photosmart Software.
NOTE: 2Ink 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 ink cartridges until print quality becomes unacceptable.
2.Look at the color bars in the middle of the page. The bars should have sharp edges and be solid extending
with uniform color all the way across the page.
Color bars - expected result
• If any of the color bars are irregularly streaked, lighter on one side, or contain one or more streaks of a
different color, refer to the following steps.
Color bars - irregularly streaked or faded bar (top bar)
Print quality troubleshooting 109
Solve a problem
 
						

							Color bars - color mixing (yellow bar contains magenta streaks)
◦Check the estimated ink levels in the cartridges.
◦Remove the cartridge corresponding to the streaked bar and clean the cartridge electrical contacts.
◦Reinstall the cartridge and make sure all of the cartridges are properly installed.
◦Clean the printhead, and then print this diagnostic page again.
◦If cleaning the printhead does not solve this print quality issue, replace the cartridge corresponding
to the streaked bar.
NOTE:If replacing the cartridge does not solve this print quality issue, contact HP support for
service.
• If any of the color bars show regular white streaks, align the printer. If the issue persists, clean the
printhead, and then print this diagnostic page again.
NOTE:If cleaning the printhead does not solve this print quality issue, contact HP support for
service.
3.Look at the large text above the alignment pattern. The type should be sharp and clear.
Sample text area - expected result
• If the type is jagged, align the printer, and then print this diagnostic page again.
Sample text area - jagged text
• If the text is uneven, streaked, or smeared, clean the printhead, and then print this diagnostic page again.
Sample text area - uneven ink distribution
Sample text area - streaks or smears
4.Look at the alignment pattern above the color bars. The lines should be straight and sharp.
Alignment pattern - expected result
Chapter 13
110 Solve a problem
Solve a problem
 
						

							• If the lines are jagged, align the printer, and then print this diagnostic page again.
Alignment pattern - jagged lines
NOTE:If aligning the printer does not solve this print quality issue, contact HP support for service.
Cause:The printhead needed to be cleaned.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 6: Contact HP support
Solution:Contact HP support for service.
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:There was a problem with the printhead.
The printout has a horizontal band of distortion near the bottom of a
borderless print
Try the following solutions if your borderless print has a blurry band or line on the bottom of it.
NOTE:For this issue, there is not a problem with your ink supplies. Therefore, replacing the ink cartridges or
printhead is not necessary.
•Solution 1: Check the paper type
•
Solution 2: Use a higher print quality setting
•
Solution 3: Rotate the image
Solution 1: Check the paper type
Solution:HP recommends that you use HP papers or any other paper type that is appropriate for the product.
Always make sure the paper you are printing on is flat. For best results when printing images, use HP Advanced
Photo Paper.
Store photo media in its original packaging inside a resealable plastic bag on a flat surface in a cool, dry place.
When you are ready to print, remove only the paper you plan to use immediately. When you have finished
printing, return any unused photo paper to the plastic bag. This will prevent the photo paper from curling.
For more information, see:
•
Recommended papers for printing
•
Information on paper
Cause:The wrong kind of paper was loaded in the input tray.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Print quality troubleshooting 111
Solve a problem
 
						

							Solution 2: Use a higher print quality setting
Solution:Check the print quality setting and make sure it is not set too low.
To select a print speed or quality
1.Make sure you have paper loaded in the input tray.
2.On the File menu in your software application, click Print.
3.Make sure the product is the selected printer.
4.Click the button that opens the Properties dialog box.
Depending on your software application, this button might be called Properties, Options, Printer Setup,
Printer, or Preferences.
5.Click the Features tab.
6.In the Paper Type drop-down list, select the type of paper that you have loaded.
7.In the Print Quality drop-down list, select the appropriate quality setting for your project.
NOTE:To find out what dpi the product will print based on the paper type and print quality settings you
selected, click Resolution.
Print the image with a high print quality setting, such as Best or Maximum dpi.
For more information, see:
•
Print using the maximum dpi
Cause:The print quality setting was set too low.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 3: Rotate the image
Solution:If the problem persists, use the software you installed with the product 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.
Cause:The photo image had odd hues printed near the bottom of the page.
Printouts have horizontal streaks or lines
Try the following solutions if your printout has lines, streaks, or marks on it that run across the width of the page.
•
Solution 1: Make sure you are using genuine HP ink cartridges
•
Solution 2: Check the ink levels
•
Solution 3: Make sure the paper is loaded correctly
•
Solution 4: Use a higher print quality setting
•
Solution 5: Align the printer
•
Solution 6: Clean the printhead
•
Solution 7: Contact HP support
Solution 1: Make sure you are using genuine HP ink cartridges
Solution:Check to see if your ink cartridges are genuine HP ink cartridges.
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.
Chapter 13
112 Solve a problem
Solve a problem
 
						

							NOTE:HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP supplies. Product service or repairs required
as a result of using a non-HP supply will not be covered under warranty.
If you believe you purchased genuine HP ink cartridges, go to:
www.hp.com/go/anticounterfeit
Cause:Non-HP ink cartridges were being used.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 2: Check the ink levels
Solution:Check the estimated ink levels in the cartridges.
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 cartridges until print quality becomes unacceptable.
For more information, see:
•
Check the estimated ink levels
Cause:The ink cartridges might have insufficient ink.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 3: Make sure the paper is loaded correctly
Solution:Make sure that the paper is loaded correctly in the input tray.
For more information, see:
•
Load media
Cause:The paper was not loaded correctly.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 4: Use a higher print quality setting
Solution:Check the print quality setting and make sure it is not set too low.
To select a print speed or quality
1.Make sure you have paper loaded in the input tray.
2.On the File menu in your software application, click Print.
3.Make sure the product is the selected printer.
4.Click the button that opens the Properties dialog box.
Depending on your software application, this button might be called Properties, Options, Printer Setup,
Printer, or Preferences.
5.Click the Features tab.
6.In the Paper Type drop-down list, select the type of paper that you have loaded.
7.In the Print Quality drop-down list, select the appropriate quality setting for your project.
NOTE:To find out what dpi the product will print based on the paper type and print quality settings you
selected, click Resolution.
Print quality troubleshooting 113
Solve a problem
 
						

							Print the image with a high print quality setting, such as Best or Maximum dpi.
For more information, see:
•
Print using the maximum dpi
Cause:The print quality or copy setting on the product was set too low.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 5: Align the printer
Solution:Align the printer.
Aligning the printer can help ensure excellent print quality.
To align the printer from 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.
3.In the Print Settings area, 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 Features tab, and then click Printer Services.
The Printer Toolbox appears.
4.Click the Device Services tab.
5.Click Align the Printer.
The product prints a test page, aligns the print head, and calibrates the printer. Recycle or discard the page.
Cause:The printer needed to be aligned.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 6: Clean the printhead
Solution:If the previous solutions did not resolve the issue, try cleaning the printhead.
To clean the printhead from the control panel
1.Press Setup.
2.Press the down arrow button to highlight Tools, and then press OK.
3.Press the down arrow button to highlight Clean Printhead, and then press OK.
The product cleans the printhead.
4.Press any button to return to the Tools menu.
After cleaning the printhead, print a print quality report. Evaluate the print quality report to see if the print quality
problem still exists.
To print a print quality report
1.Load letter or A4 unused plain white paper into the input tray.
2.Press Setup.
Chapter 13
114 Solve a problem
Solve a problem
 
						

							3.Press the down arrow button to highlight Tools, and then press OK.
4.Press the down arrow button to highlight Print Quality Report, and then press OK.
The product prints a print quality report that you can use to diagnose print quality issues.
To evaluate the print quality report
1.Check the ink levels shown on the page. If a cartridge shows very low ink levels and you find the print quality
unacceptable, consider replacing that ink cartridge. Print quality typically deteriorates as cartridges run out
of ink.
NOTE: 1If the print quality report is not legible, you can check the estimated ink levels from the control
panel or HP Photosmart Software.
NOTE: 2Ink 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 ink cartridges until print quality becomes unacceptable.
2.Look at the color bars in the middle of the page. The bars should have sharp edges and be solid extending
with uniform color all the way across the page.
Color bars - expected result
• If any of the color bars are irregularly streaked, lighter on one side, or contain one or more streaks of a
different color, refer to the following steps.
Color bars - irregularly streaked or faded bar (top bar)
Print quality troubleshooting 115
Solve a problem
 
						

							Color bars - color mixing (yellow bar contains magenta streaks)
◦Check the estimated ink levels in the cartridges.
◦Remove the cartridge corresponding to the streaked bar and clean the cartridge electrical contacts.
◦Reinstall the cartridge and make sure all of the cartridges are properly installed.
◦Clean the printhead, and then print this diagnostic page again.
◦If cleaning the printhead does not solve this print quality issue, replace the cartridge corresponding
to the streaked bar.
NOTE:If replacing the cartridge does not solve this print quality issue, contact HP support for
service.
• If any of the color bars show regular white streaks, align the printer. If the issue persists, clean the
printhead, and then print this diagnostic page again.
NOTE:If cleaning the printhead does not solve this print quality issue, contact HP support for
service.
3.Look at the large text above the alignment pattern. The type should be sharp and clear.
Sample text area - expected result
• If the type is jagged, align the printer, and then print this diagnostic page again.
Sample text area - jagged text
• If the text is uneven, streaked, or smeared, clean the printhead, and then print this diagnostic page again.
Sample text area - uneven ink distribution
Sample text area - streaks or smears
4.Look at the alignment pattern above the color bars. The lines should be straight and sharp.
Alignment pattern - expected result
Chapter 13
116 Solve a problem
Solve a problem
 
						

							• If the lines are jagged, align the printer, and then print this diagnostic page again.
Alignment pattern - jagged lines
NOTE:If aligning the printer does not solve this print quality issue, contact HP support for service.
Cause:The printhead needed to be cleaned.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 7: Contact HP support
Solution:Contact HP support for service.
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:There was a problem with the printhead.
Printouts are faded or have dull colors
Try the following solutions if the colors in your printout are not as bright and intense as you expected.
•
Solution 1: Make sure you are using genuine HP ink cartridges
•
Solution 2: Check the ink levels
•
Solution 3: Check the print settings
•
Solution 4: Check the paper type
•
Solution 5: Clean the printhead
•
Solution 6: Contact HP support
Solution 1: Make sure you are using genuine HP ink cartridges
Solution:Check to see if your ink cartridges are genuine HP ink cartridges.
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 supplies. Product service or repairs required
as a result of using a non-HP supply will not be covered under warranty.
If you believe you purchased genuine HP ink cartridges, go to:
www.hp.com/go/anticounterfeit
Cause:Non-HP ink cartridges were being used.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Print quality troubleshooting 117
Solve a problem
 
						

							Solution 2: Check the ink levels
Solution:Check the estimated ink levels in the cartridges.
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 cartridges until print quality becomes unacceptable.
For more information, see:
•
Check the estimated ink levels
Cause:The ink cartridges might have insufficient ink.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 3: Check the print settings
Solution:Check the print settings.
•Check the paper type setting to make sure it matches the type of paper loaded in the input tray.
•Check the print quality setting and make sure it is not set too low.
Print the image with a high print quality setting, such as Best or Maximum dpi.
Cause:The paper type or print quality settings were set incorrectly.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 4: Check the paper type
Solution:HP recommends that you use HP papers or any other paper type that is appropriate for the product.
Always make sure the paper you are printing on is flat. For best results when printing images, use HP Advanced
Photo Paper.
Store photo media in its original packaging inside a resealable plastic bag on a flat surface in a cool, dry place.
When you are ready to print, remove only the paper you plan to use immediately. When you have finished
printing, return any unused photo paper to the plastic bag. This will prevent the photo paper from curling.
For more information, see:
•
Recommended papers for printing
•
Information on paper
Cause:The wrong kind of paper was loaded in the input tray.
If this did not solve the issue, try the next solution.
Solution 5: Clean the printhead
Solution:If the previous solutions did not resolve the issue, try cleaning the printhead.
To clean the printhead from the control panel
1.Press Setup.
2.Press the down arrow button to highlight Tools, and then press OK.
Chapter 13
118 Solve a problem
Solve a problem