Step one: Complete the alignment process
If you have already installed new print cartridges, follow these steps to complete the alignment process.
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After installing a new print cartridge, wait at least 20 seconds for the print cartridge alignment process to start.
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Wait for the print cartridge alignment process to fully complete.
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Make sure that the alignment page has printed on plain, white paper that has no other printing on it. If you need to create a new alignment page, load the tray with letter or A4 unused plain white paper and turn the product off and on again to create the page.
If an alignment page does not print when the product is turned on or off, the issue is resolved.
If an alignment page continues to print when the product is turned on or off, you should replace the cartridges with new HP cartridges. Continue to Step two: Remove the print cartridges.
Step two: Remove the print cartridges
Follow the steps below to remove the cartridges.
NOTE:
When you remove and install the same print cartridge, the unit will not align the print cartridge as the unit remembers the alignment values for that print cartridge.
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Press the Power button to turn the product on. The Power button is lit when the unit is on.
Figure 1: Power button lit
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Make sure that the paper tray is down, and letter or A4 unused plain white paper is loaded in the paper tray.
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Lower the access door until it stops. Make sure that the print carriage moves to the right side.
Figure 2: Lower the access door
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Wait until the print carriage is idle and silent, and then using your thumb, lightly press down on a print cartridge to release it.
Figure 3: Print carriage
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If replacing the tri-color print cartridge, remove the print cartridge from the slot on the left.
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If replacing the black or photo print cartridge, remove the print cartridge from the slot on the right.
Figure 4: Proper position of the print cartridges 
1 - Tri-color print cartridge
2 - Black or Photo print cartridge
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Pull the print cartridge toward you and out of its slot.
Step three: Install the new print cartridge
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Remove the new print cartridge from its packaging and, being careful to touch only the black plastic, gently remove the plastic tape by using the pink pull tab.
Figure 5: Remove the tape
1 - Copper-colored contacts
2 - Plastic tape with pink pull tab (must be removed before installing)
3 - Ink nozzles under tape
CAUTION:
Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or ink nozzles. Touching these parts can result in clogs, ink failure, and bad electrical connections.
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Slide the new print cartridge forward into the empty slot. Then gently push on the upper part of the print cartridge forward until it clicks into the socket.
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If you are installing the tri-color print cartridge, slide it into the left slot.
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If you are installing a black or photo print cartridge, slide it into the right slot.
Figure 6: Print cartridge locations 
1 - Print cartridge slot for the tri-color print cartridge
2 - Print cartridge slot for the black and photo print cartridges
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Close the print cartridge access door.
Figure 7: Closing the print cartridge door
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If you installed a new print cartridge, the print cartridge alignment process starts after about 20 seconds.
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The unit aligns the print cartridges. Recycle or discard the print cartridge alignment sheet.
If you have completed all the steps listed above and are still experiencing a problem, service the product.
Cause
The product aligns the print cartridges every time at cartridge installation or replacement to ensure the highest-quality prints. The alignment page continues to print when the product is turned on or off, or when a print job is started, for any of the reasons below.
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The automatic alignment process is not complete.
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The ink cartridges are not properly installed.
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One of the ink cartridges is defective.
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One of the ink cartridges is low or out of ink. Black and all three colors must be available.
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Protective tape on a new ink cartridge has not been removed.
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Contacts on the ink cartridge are not meeting the contacts in the carriage correctly.
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Cartridge is remanufactured or refilled. Refilled or remanufactured ink cartridges may have been damaged during the refilling process or have clogged ink nozzles.
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The product needs to be serviced.
Where are these preferences? I clicked everything under the control panel/printers tab that should be clicked. I don't see an option for monochrome or anything..........
OK I just removed the black cartridge altogether to see what would happen. I removed it both physically and through cartridge preferences. It sounded like it was printing from the color cartridge, but nothing came out on the paper. It went through all the motions and everything, but it is blank. What the heck is going on?
OK I just removed the black cartridge altogether to see what would happen. I removed it both physically and through cartridge preferences. It sounded like it was printing from the color cartridge, but nothing came out on the paper. It went through all the motions and everything, but it is blank. What the heck is going on?
Let me also say I removed the color cartridge and cleaned the contact area with alcohol. Blue dye residue remained on the cotton swab but it isn't leaving any marks at all on the paper...................... uuugggghhh
i am facing same problem.. when I try to print a sample page, the printer gives a pose of printing the doc neatly.. but no lines of text printed!!!.. I have the black ink full, but the coloured one empty.. any way i was trying a black text print
Check preferences on cartridge use mine was on black only had me messed up for a month...Jer
Also check monochrome....
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