Solution one: Check the ink levels
To allow for full use of the cartridges, some printers continue to print even after the cartridges are completely out of ink.
Follow these steps to check the ink levels in the
Toolbox
. The Toolbox is part of the standard printer software. Depending on the
version of Toolbox on your computer, the appearance of the Toolbox
features might vary.
NOTE:
Ink level warnings and indicators
provide estimates for planning purposes only. When an indicator shows
low ink levels, consider having a replacement cartridge available to
avoid possible printing delays. Print quality deteriorates as cartridges
run out of ink.
- Click Start
(
), click All Programs
, click the HP
folder, and then click the icon for your HP printer (
). The printer software opens.
- In the printer software, double-click Estimated Ink Levels
. The Toolbox opens.
- Click the Estimated Ink Levels
tab to display the estimated ink level of each cartridge.
Figure 1: Estimated ink level indicator
Image: Estimated ink level indicator.
- If the ink level indicators show that a cartridge is low or empty, replace the cartridge.
- Try printing again.
- If these steps resolved the issue
, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
- If the issue persists
, continue to the next solution.
Solution two: Reset the printer
Resetting the printer might clear the issues and allow the printer to function correctly again.
- Press the Power button (
) to turn off the printer.
NOTE:
Pressing the Power button might
not turn off the printer. This might happen if the printer is in an
error state. Continue with these steps regardless.
- Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.
Figure 2: Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer
Image: Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.
- Disconnect the USB cable from the rear of the printer.
Figure 3: Disconnect the USB cable from the rear of the printer
Image: Disconnect the USB cable from the rear of the printer.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Reconnect the USB cable to the printer.
Figure 4: Reconnect the USB cable to the printer
Image: Reconnect the USB cable to the printer.
- Reconnect the power cord to the printer.
Figure 5: Reconnect the power cord to the printer
Image: Reconnect the power cord to the printer.
- Press the Power button (
) to turn on the printer.
- Try printing again.
- If these steps resolved the issue
, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
- If the issue persists
, continue to the next solution.
Solution three: Restart the computer
Restarting your computer might resolve the issue.
- Save the latest changes to your files, and then close all your open programs.
- Click Start
, and then click Shut Down
. A dialog box opens.
- Select Restart
. Most computers turn off, and then turn on again automatically.
NOTE:
If a dialog box opens with a
message that it is now ok to turn off the computer, press the power
button on the computer to turn it off. Then press the power button again
to turn it on.
After a few minutes, the computer is ready to print again.
- Reopen the file that you want to print, and then try printing again.
- If these steps resolved the issue
, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
- If the issue persists
, continue to the next solution.
Solution four: Check for blank pages in the print preview
If the printer prints all pages correctly, but it adds blank pages to the printout, check for blank pages in the print preview.
- In most programs, click File
, and then click Print Preview
. If the program you are using does not have this option, consult the program manufacturer.
- Review the print preview for blank pages.
- If the print preview reveals blank pages,
delete the blank pages in the document, and then try printing again.
- If the preview contains no blank pages,
continue with the next solution.
Solution five: Check the USB cable
If the printer connects with a USB cable, a
faulty connection might cause the issue. Follow these instructions to
check the USB cable.
- Make
sure that the USB cable inserts all the way into its port on the rear
of the printer. Use some pressure to push it in all the way.
Figure 6: Insert a USB cable into the rear of the printer
Image: Insert a USB cable into the rear of the printer.
- Make sure that the USB cable inserts all the way into its port on the computer. Use some pressure to push it in all the way.
- If the issue persists, try replacing the USB cable with a known good cable.
- If these steps resolved the issue
, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
- If the issue persists
, continue to the next solution.
Solution six: Check the printer settings on the computer
Issues with the printer settings on the
computer might cause the printer to print blank pages. Follow these
steps to check the printer settings on the computer.
Step one: Check the default paper settings
Make sure that the default paper size
matches the width and length of the paper loaded in the tray. If the
paper loaded in the tray is different from the paper size setting, the
printer might print blank pages. For instance, the issue might occur if
legal size paper (215 x 355 mm (8.5 x 14 in)) is in the tray, and the
paper size setting is letter (215 x 279 mm (8.5 x 11 in)).
Follow these steps to check the default paper settings.
- Click Start
(
).
- Click Printers and Faxes
. The Printers and Faxes
folder opens.
- Right-click the icon for your printer (
), and then click Printing Preferences
. The Printing Preferences
window opens.
- Click the Paper/Quality
tab, and then compare the settings in the Paper Size
drop-down menu with the paper in the tray. If the size of the paper in the tray is not the same as the setting in the Paper Size
drop-down menu, change the setting:
- Click the Paper Size
drop-down list, and then select the size of the paper that is in the tray.
- Click Apply
to save the settings, and then click OK
to close the Printing Preferences window.
Step two: Print a test page
Follow these steps in the order presented to
print a test page. A test page might help determine if the printer
installation caused the problem.
- Click Start
(
).
- Click Printers and Faxes
. The Printers and Faxes
folder opens.
- Right-click the printer icon (
), and then click Properties
. The Properties window opens.
- In the General
tab, click Print Test Page
. The printer prints the Windows XP Printer Test Page.
Figure 7: Example of Windows XP Printer Test Page
Image: Example of Windows XP Printer Test Page.
- If the Windows XP Printer Test Page prints successfully,
you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
- If the page is blank,
continue to the next solution.
Solution seven: Print from an alternate program
Follow these steps to try printing from an
alternate program, such as Microsoft Notepad or WordPad, to determine if
the current program is causing the issue.
- Browse to the location of your saved document, right-click the file, and then click Open With
. A window opens with a list of programs.
- Select a program other than the program you are currently using to print the document.
- Open the file in the program, and then check the contents.
NOTE:
Most files open in plain text
applications, such as Notepad or WordPad, even if the contents include
unusual symbols or text that does not make sense.
- Try to print the file:
- Click File
, and then click Print
. The Print
window opens.
- Select your HP printer from the Select Printer
drop-down menu, and then click OK
.
If successful, the printer prints exactly what displays in the program window.
- If the document prints successfully
in the alternate program, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
The issue is likely specific to the program you are trying to print
from. Consult the program manufacturer for assistance.
- If the document still prints blank pages
in the alternate program, continue to the next solution.
- here are a couple things you can try hope this helps you
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