My photosmart HP printer A636 will not align. I've tried three different new cartridges and it barely prints anything on the top line. If I try to print a picture, it comes out blank. I doubt it is in the ink as I've had that problem and it prints all red. Any suggestions to fix?

SOURCE: HP Photosmart C4280

hmmmm...assuming that the cartridge is installed properly, yes? seems that your black ink cartridge may need to go through a 'clean' process, prior to alignment(sure wish that the replacement folks would insist on cleaning out the old heads, before doing an alignment. It's like changing the oil on your car, but using the old filter. Same gunk still in the system.

SOURCE: hp photosmart 2710

sounds like there's something stuck under the cartridge, or the 'compatibility' is suspect..that's the only reason that happens, a mechanical mismatch

SOURCE: My HP photosmart C4200 ALL-in-One

Hello,

Below is a partial entry of the help document at HP. The complete text can be found by clicking on this link here.

If you have already read and completed these steps, please notify me that you have by using the Text Area Comment Box below. Proivde me with any thing else you have already tried. Lastly, do you have a manual for your printer in digital format that you can place on your PC and refer to? I can post one here for you if you need it.

Essentially, there is no easy Trick to clearing this issue. The most common error made by users it in replacing both cartridges at the same time. Each cartridge should be replaced individually. Once completed the printer will want to execute a print head alignment test. This print out will include instructions on selecting the numbered lines that line up most exactly. Then you would enter the corresponding number.

Bypassing or interrupting this alignment test after replacing cartridges will cause error messages such as yours. So, if you did this out of ignorance or confusion, remove each cartridge one at a time using the method descrbed below. When both have been removed and reinstalled and the alignment process completed you should be error free. Should you still receive this error, remove and clean each cartridge using the method described below, one cartridge at a time.

If after completing all the steps below, you still receive the error message, your printer has a larger problem that is internal hardware related. You can either replace the printer or have it serviced by HP. Most people opt to replace the printer as an error such as this at the internal hardware level usually indicates that the printer has reached the end of its usable life span. If this is happening prematurely, have it serviced under warranty. Printer warranties are usually one year from HP. If you purchased using a credit card you may have an extended warranty. Check with your card company right away for information on any extended warranty you have from using your Credit Card.

If you have any further questions, please ask me using the comment box below.

Regards,
Worldvet

Solution one: Remove and reinsert the ink cartridges

1. Turn the product on.
2. Make sure to have letter or A4 unused, plain, white paper loaded in the input tray.
3. Open the ink cartridge door.
   NOTE: Make sure that the carriage holding the ink cartridge moves to the right. If it does not move to the right, turn the product off. If it is a new product, make sure all the packaging material is removed. Close the ink cartridge door and then turn the product on again. The carriage should move to the right. Figure 1: Opening the ink cartridge door CAUTION: The product must be turned on before the ink cartridge door is opened. If the product is off when the ink cartridge door is opened for access to the ink cartridges, the product will not release the cartridges. The product can be damaged if the ink cartridges are not docked safely before removal.
4. Wait until the carriage is idle and silent, and then lightly press down on an ink cartridge to release it. The error message should indicate the problem cartridge by displaying an icon that represents it.
   • The tri-color ink cartridge is in the slot on the left.
   • The black or photo ink cartridge is in the slot on the right.
   Figure 2: Pressing down on an ink cartridge to release it 1 - Ink cartridge slot for the tri-color print cartridge 2 - Ink cartridge slot for the black and photo ink cartridges
5. Pull the ink cartridge toward you out of its slot.
6. Make sure the tape has been removed from the cartridge. If the tape has not been removed, remove it now. Figure 3: Removing the tape CAUTION: Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or reattach the tape.
7. Hold the cartridge with the HP logo on top.
8. Reinsert the ink cartridge into its slot by gently pushing the upper part of the ink cartridge forward until it clicks into the socket. CAUTION: When installing the ink cartridge, do not rest your hand on top of the product for leverage. This might cause the carriage to lift out of position. Figure 4: Incorrectly grasping the top of the product for leverage Figure 5: Pushing the cartridge in firmly
   • When installing the tri-color ink cartridge, slide it into the left slot.
   • When installing a black, photo, or gray photo ink cartridge, slide it into the right slot.
   Figure 6: Tri-color cartridge in the left cartridge slot and black cartridge in the right cartridge slot
9. Close the ink cartridge door.

SOURCE: hp photosmart a636 printer will not align

you may need to change the ink cartridge. Turn the printer off install and turn on. also make sure you have the correct ink.

SOURCE: HP J4580 Printing blank pages

fist click the start menu
and click the printer and fax
and select the hp printer and rith cilck the proparties and seat the print colar coular that time
select only black...............ok