Printing problem - all red

You probably need to run an alignment procedure. See the link below.

Align Print Heads On An HP Laserjet 1600

Have you tried setting the color to black cartridge only. You may be printing the black with a combination of colored inks. I occasionally have a similar problem. Sometimes I can get the black to work by taking a paper towel dampened with distilled water and holding it against the cartridge print head until I see black ink coming out. Replace the cartridge and try printing again. If this doesn't work try a new cartridge and run through your Printer Settings, making sure they are all set properly.

You can validate the HP60 ink cartridge's electrical health by running the 'Tap 41' diagnostics test (this procedure is specific to the F2480 model). Refer to DIAGNOSTIC TAP 41 video procedure at the following link on how to activate and read the service test: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=440

1. While holding the Power button, press Cancel (X) button 4 times, then press the Color Copy button once.
2. Release the Power button.
3. The 'Tap 41' diagnostic test print should print.

--- Providing the color cartridge is partially functioning the Tap 41 diagnostic test print will be printed (this is a forced service print test which is mainly used for the evaluation of ink cartridge electrical health). A good HP 60/60XL color cartridge should display 1248 good nozzles, while a good HP 60/60XL black ink cartridge should show 336 good nozzles. If the results yield anything different then the ink cartridge is likely damaged and will need to be replaced. Refer to video on how to read the printout. http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=434

---- If the printer attempts to print the diagnostic test pattern (1 page) then the printer is generally considered operational and functional, if nothing is printed, but the printer attempts to print the pattern, then the tri-color ink cartridge is either empty, clogged or severely electrically damaged (black ink cartridge is not used). You can remove the tri-color cartridge, reactivate the tap 41 test and the printer will print the diagnostic test print in black ink.

For information on North American ink refill services at a major retailer near you (should you wish to save ~50% on ink costs), general printing problem resolutions or advanced HP printer diagnosis procedures (advanced cartridge diagnostic tests/cartridge error bypass & printer reset methods, etc.), please visit Inkjet411: http://www.inkjet411.com

Color cartridge faulty, if you want color printouts replace new color cartridge.. Select "print in grey scale" in printing preferences,if you want to print only in back & white.

Hi there,
Error E5.
Cause : The FINE Cartridge may not be installed properly or the Cartridge may not be the compatible with the machine.
Action : Install the appropriate FINE Cartridge. If the lines are misaligned or the resulting output is not satisfactory, carry out the FINE cartridge Alignment.

Replacing A FINE Cartridge.
When replacing a FINE Cartridge, check the model number very carefully.

The machine will not print properly if the wrong FINE Cartridge is used, or installed incorrectly.

Black : PG-40 Black
Color : CL-41 Color

The FINE Cartridge PG-50 Black (High-Yield) and CL-51 Color (High Yield) are also compatible with this machine.

Replacing A FINE Cartridge
When a FINE Cartridge runs out of ink, replace it using the following steps.
1) Ensure that the machine is turned ON, and then open the Scanning Unit. The FINE Cartridge Holder moves to the left.
Pull the Scanning Unit Support down into place.

2) Remove the empty FINE Cartridge.
a) Push the FINE Cartridge carefully to avoid staining your clothes or the surrounding work area.
b) Remove the FINE Cartridge.
Important : * Handle FINE Cartridges carefullu to avoid staining your clothes or the surrounding work area.
*Discard empty FINE Cartridges according to local laws and disposal regulations.
Caution : Do not touch the transparent film, film cable, ink absorber (sponge part) or any metal parts.

3) Prepare a replacement FINE Cartridge.
Unpack a new FINE Cartridge and remove the Protective Tape.
Important : * Do not reattach the Protective Tape once you have removed it,
* Handle the removed Protective Tape carefully to avoid getting your hands dirty or staining the surrounding work area once you have removed it.
* Once the Protective Tape is removed, do not touch the gold terminals of the FINE Cartridge or its nozzles. The machine may not print out properly if you touch the terminals.

4) Insert the new FINE Cartridge.
Black FINE Cartridge should be installed into the left holder and Color FINE Cartridge should go into the right holder.
a) Insert a new FINE Cartridge on a slight tilt.
b) Push the FINE Cartridge up until it clicks into place.

5) Close the Scanning Unit.
Lift the Scanning Unit slightly and put the Scanning Unit Support back to its original position,
Then close the Scanning Unit.
The FINE Cartridge Holder moves to the right.
Note : IF the straight line is misaligned or the FINE Cartridge position is misaligned, align the FINE Cartridge position.
Important :
* To maintain optimal print quality, we recommend that you use Canon brand FINE Cartridge. Replenishing ink only is also not recommended.
* Replace the FINE Cartridge runs out of ink, replace the FINE Cartridge with a new one immediately. If you replace it with the FINE Cartridge that has previously been removed, the machine may not print properly due to clogged FINE Cartridge nozzles. Furthermore, the Low Ink Warning dialog box which advices when to exchange the FINE Cartridge will be inaccurate.
* To maintain optimal print quality, use up all the ink in the FINE Cartridge within six months of its first use. (We recommend that you note the date that the FINE Cartridge was installed in the machine.)
* Color ink consumption may occur even when black-and- white or gray-scale printing specified.
Color ink is consumed during Cartridge cleaning, which is necessary to maintain the machine's capabilities.

Aligning The FINE Cartridge
If ruled lines are misaligned or a printout is unsatisfactory, FINE Cartridge Alignment is required,

* Aligning the FINE Cartridge
1) Press [Maintainance] repeatedly until <P> appears.

2) Press [Black] or [Color].
The machine prints the head alignment sheet.

3) Beginning from Column A on the printout, enter checkmarks in the patterns that have the most solid image.

4) Load the checked sheet on the Platen Glass.
When loading the checked sheet, place the front side down, and align the upper left corner of the sheet with the alignment mark on the lower right corner of the Platen Glass.

5) Press [Maintainance] repeatedly until <U> appears.

6) Press [Black] or [Color].
The machine scans the pattern and aligns the FINE Cartridge automatically.
Note : If you select <L> in step 1, the machine prints the current FINE Cartridge Alignment setting.

Hope this helps.
Please rate my response
Thanks.
Have a good day.

Print in grayscale (black area streaking only) If the streaks are in a black area of a black and white printout, change to grayscale printing.
NOTE: This step does not apply to color printouts.

1. In the application you are printing from, click File , and then click Print .
2. Make sure the printer is selected and click Properties .
3. Click the Color tab, and select Print Grayscale and High Quality .

Always try replacing the ink cartridges first.

It sounds like the print heads in the 7780 are bad. Don't confuse the ink cartridges with print heads. The cartridges fit inside the print heads. You will need to change the heads. Here is a link to HP's how-to.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00841890&tmp_track_link=ot_faqs/top_issues/en_us/c00841890/loc:1&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=2512010

Could have the same problem with the Dell.

when is the last time you changed your color ink cartridge?
that is what it sounds like to me if you have already did an alignment and cleaned them

I just had the same issue (align page not detected).

We had just re-installed the empty color cartridge back into the printer (long story but basically we knew we could only print B/W).

The align page printout had a lot of empty spaces around the black lines. This is apparently where the color lines are supposed to print.

Without those color lines, the printer would not detect the align page as color is part of the alignment being done.

Since we only wanted black printouts, I pressed 'cancel' to stop the alignment process, and now we just hit the Black copy button and ignore the alignment prompt on the printer window.

The HP site (enter psc750 in product window) has some helpful ideas as to what the problem might also be. It could be the shipping tape is still on the new cartridge (and preventing the black or color from printing on the align sheets) etc.

I just got off the HP help line.  After changing my black ink cartridge a test page was printing each time I turned the machine on.  This is very costly, in both time and ink as the cartridges themselves for this machine hold very little ink.  I tried to learn from HP tech how to turn off the test-print while keeping my color cartridge empty.  It turns out that you cant do it.  HP requires you to keep buying and using cartridges whether you need them or not.If you buy the color ink it will use it up in its testings.  And if you dont buy the color cartridge it will use up your black ink by printing the test each time you turn on the printer.  The printer was inexpensive sure, but I'm paying for it in wasted ink.