Ink smearing with HP PhotoSmart A826

My A826 suddenly began printing very wet ink and smearing. I've aligned and cleaned to no avail. The problem started with an old cartridge after printing 4 photos perfectly. I changed to a new HP 110 cartridge and the problem continued. Can anyone help? I don't want to have to junk the printer.

The printer driver settings could be set incorrectly for the photo paper that you are using. It could just be putting too much ink onto the media. Take a look at this document:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00713021&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&product=3256932
That will help if it is not a hardware issue.
007OHMSS
I was a support engineer for HP.
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Printhead / ink issues with 5-month-old Photosmart 7525 printer

It seems that my HP printer "bad luck" has not changed -- at all! After having lots of issues (and not being able to resolve them with a Photosmart 6515 this summer), I bought a Photosmart 7525 in July.
I do not print photos or color ink a lot, but when I do, I need for the color and quality to be very good. But it seems that I cannot rely on my HP printer to do that for me. I end up spending hours of time just TRYING to get something to print. I end up wasting a lot of ink and paper, but usually still have a less-than-satisfactory result -- if I'm able to get anything to print at all!
Two weeks ago, my daughter needed pictures printed for a school project. The pictures started to, print, but then it looked like some of the ink colors were running out. However, the ink status said the ink cartridges were fine! I replaced several of the ink cartridges anyway, but still the photos WOULD NOT print out correctly. I ended up having to save the photos to a thumb drive and take them to a drug store to get them printed for her project. After that, the printer would not even print BLACK ink!
However, the next day, the printer started printing color again - mysteriously.
Yesterday, I had some more photos to print. I had the same issue. The first photo printed fine, but after that, only the first third of the photos would print -- the rest were missing part of the other colors. My printer did not show any low ink -- at all. I had all "genuine" ink cartridges, too! I've never used anything except HP ink.
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So I'm ready to just buy a B/W laser printer and give up on ink jets. I wish I could get by without even having a printer at home, but now the schools expect us to print out everything at home these days that they send us via e-mail. Since I end up having to go elsewhere to print photos anyway, maybe I just need to forget about printing photos at home entirely.
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Thanks for your help RnrMusicMan, but I've already returned the printer to Costco, and they did refund my money.
The printer was only five months old. This is the third Photo"smart" printer I've had major issues with in less than four years. I guess I'm not very smart to keep trying -- or hoping for a different result.
Unfortunately, I still have a bunch of 564 ink cartridges that I can't use -- some I opened trying to get this printer to work, and some unopened.
I bought an HP Envy printer on Sunday from Costco that takes the 61 XL cartridges, but I took it back yesterday without even opening the box. My spouse told me I was crazy for even thinking about trying again. And with a tri-color cartridge, it will just be a problem with one color running out.
So for now, I'll just use our old Kodak printer or plan a little further ahead and have the photos printed outside. Every time I have a project to print, my HP printer does not print for me. I spend hours of time, waste lots of ink, paper and money, and still end up having to go elsewhere to get them printed. So, I just need to do that and forget about printing them from home!
The HP rep that was at Best Buy suggested for me to return the unopened ink to Wal-Mart for in-store credit. I tried to return two yesterday, but that didn't work. They only exchange ink cartridges, not return them. So, now I'm probably on some list with them, too!
So thanks for offering to help, but I'm done with trying to make an HP printer work for me at home.

Black Ink smearing

Hi, I have an Officejet Pro 8500 Wireless, and I have the exact same problem as many, many other users who have written in about their printers (whether or not the same model).
I have worked with HP Tech Support via both chat and phone, and we did all sorts of cleaning processes, but the black ink continues to smear (even after the photos are 30 days old), and also on brochure and invitation paper. While I realize everyone wants us to use HP paper, it is not always available in the size and type we want for our print jobs. It is not at all acceptable that HP mandates use of their paper. Frankly, the Kodak paper I use is superior, and about 2x the cost of comparable HP paper. Black ink did NOT smear with my older HP Photosmart all-in-one, so WHY does it smear with the new Officejet? (BTW, I was talked into trading up by one of the tech support genies last October).
Has anyone addressed the question as to whether or not there is a problem with the black ink itself? I cannot be possible that all of us have the same problem and that the ink has not been suspect. The HP chat tech with whom I spoke did not answer the question when I posed it to him.
Am waiting for a manager to call me back - and I really don't want a refurbished printer to replace the one that is only 4 months old. Not really fair, is it?
-Tink

Hello Tink333,
The problem that is happening most likely is indeed a wrong choice of paper. While Kodak surely is an A grade paper, i might not be compatable with your printer. Its most likely a high grade photo paper suited for dye based inks which photoprinters use (best inks for pictures) . The unit you are currently having is using pigment based inkt (better for documents) which is meant as a document printer but can also print pictures if the paper is suitable for pigment based inkt. That is why most likely most tech support will advice HP paper, because of the simple fact that they now which HP paper is suited for that ink. If you want to use kodak paper that is fine off course but then i would suggest contacting kodak to find out which of their papers is suited for pigment based inkts. Hope you find what you are looking for.
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Problem with HP Photosmart C4480

I've just recently bought a Photosmart C4480. I replaced the ink cartridge with the 99 photo cartridge, which fill the right side and which means that there is only one ink cartridge inside my printer.
I try to print a photo but realised it came out black and white without any colour. Do I need to buy another cartridge for the left side space? If yes, which cartridge should I buy to coordinate with this 99 photo cartridge?
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Hello Wildviolets
If the printer was having noise and now won't work at all then it sounds like the printer may have had a hardware problem. As for the ink if they are Genuine HP ink and you just purchased them they should still be in warranty. If you purchase a new HP printer that doesn't use those cartridges, you should be able to call HP they should be able to replace any unopened ink cartridges that are in warranty for other HP ink cartridges that will work with your new printer.
Hello Larrycza
It does sound good for the printer. Have you tried running the HP Hardware Diagnostic Utility? It may be able to determine which component or problem is occurring.
Using the HP Hardware Diagnostic Utility
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Photo Paper Black Ink Smearing When Dry

I have a continuous problem with the ink easily smearing when I print with this paper, and check B&W in the print box. I am using a HP 8500 printer with HP 940XL inks. No matter how many days they dry, they smear and the ink lifts off. But, if I print the same with color settings (a b&w photo), the inks don't smear when dry. But the color cast to the old b&w photos is unattractive, not to mention a waste of color ink.
Why is this and how can it be avoided?

I have had the same problem with an HP Pro 8000.I selected Hp Premium Presentation Paper, Matte because I could not get the printer to print with black ink only with any photo paper!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was printing on HP Advanced Photo Paper Glossy and getting acceptable results UNTLL I ran out of black ink. After I installed a new 940XL Black cartridge ink could easily be rubbed off the prints when they were dry. I was still printing on paper from the same box. I have also discovered that when printing on HP Premium Photo Paper Glossy the ink will not rub off when it is dry!!!! The premium Photo Paper is several years old. I seleccted HP Premium Presentation Paper, Matte when printing on the old photo paper again to be able to print with black ink only. The tint that results from printing without using black is almost impossible to correct back to a true black & White. Why did one cartridge work and the next one smear??????????????

Black ink smears on printing

I have an HP Officejet J6450 that uses 74 & 75 ink cartridges. I purchased it in March of 2009.
I began to get black ink smears on anything I printed so, I followed all of the suggestions regarding cleaning....
I put in a new black cartridge but the problem continued to the point that I was ready to throw the printer away. Eventually, as I was trying to load paper last night, it kept rejecting the paper, indicating that it was the wrong size or type. Finally a piece of paper jammed in the printer. As I was removing the paper jam, I saw a small caterpillar size brush in the paper jam. When I removed the paper, the brush came with it. The small brush had a sticky side to it and it was covered with black ink. I have to presume that this is the brush that cleans the ink cartridge head. It was smearing all of my printing until it dislodged. I have no idea where it goes nor do I want to put it back in place only for it to dislodge again.
Now, the printer works fine but I don't have a brush in place to clean the ink cartridges. A disappointed user. My next printer will probably be another brand and another set of ink cartridges......

Ironically the small brush is one that is designed to wipe fibers (paper fibers, pet hair, etc.) from the carriage to prevent ink smearing. Removing the brush will not have any adverse effects for normal printing. It at some point in the future the ink smearing returns you can manually clean the bottom of the carriage and print cartridges as shown here.
Bob Headrick, HP Expert
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Deskjet 6940 black ink smearing on page sometime after cartridge change

The ink started smearing on the printed page, not immediately after I changed the ink cartridge, but after around 50 sheets. Some sheets have faint lines perpendicular to the printed lines as if ink were on the rollers.
I opened up the printer and wiped excess ink off the bottom of the gray cables and off the stainless rod running across the interior.
Anyone have any thoughts?
With thanks
This question was solved.
View Solution.

Hello NHarchivist,
I see that this is your first visit with us on the HP Forums. Please let me take a moment to say "Welcome".
I hope you enjoy your experience!
To help you get the most out of the HP Forums I would like to direct your attention to the HP Forums Guide First Time Here? Learn How to Post and More.
I see that you are having some issues with Smears and/or streaks on your print-out's.
Please click on the following link that troubleshoots Ink Smears or Streaks.
Please feel free to write me back if you have any other questions or concerns.
If I don't hear back from you today, I hope you have a Fantastic weekend.
Cheers,
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W a t e r b o y 71
I work on behalf of HP

Can you make Custom Frames for HP Photosmart A826

I was wondering if there is a way to make Custom Frames to be used for the: HP Photosmart A826 Home Photo Center
Basicly I would like to add my company logo to photos printed with this printer if it is possible.

for the mesh, hexagon is actually better than photoshop. Since it can create the actual mesh. Though, you can import the mesh into photoshop so you can see it while you paint the texture.
The 3d creation portion of photoshop is still a bit limiting. (But my experience stops with CS5. I have not tried CS6 yet, so impovement could have been made)
The issue I have with hexagon is the amount of bugs in it. I prefer a more robust and more expensive alternative. But thats me
A free alternative is Blender. But I find the UI a bit outdated and hard to grasp. But again, thats me.
Generate your UV maps as you normally would then load them into photoshop and get painting. You may like other texture generating apps to go along with photoshop. Genetica is great for making tileable textures.

Used black ink from my HP Photosmart C6380 won't work in my new HP Photosmart 7525

The black ink from my HP Photosmart C6380 won't work in my new HP Photosmart 7525. The cartridge is a 564 for both printers. However, I get the message that the ink cartridge has been used previously even though it is a newer cartridge that I had used in my C6380. Why won't this work?

Hello LTron,
Welcome to the HP Support Forums!
I see you are looking to use a cartridge previously installed in a different printer, the Photosmart 7525 says it a used cartridge.
If you are trying to use this cartridge before using the setup cartridges that come with the 7525, it will not work. Once the printer is initialized with the setup cartridges you would be able to use other ones.
If you have already used the setup cartridges, this error should only be letting you know that it has been installed in a printer before. Hitting OK, next, etc should clear the error.
'Used or Counterfeit Cartridge Detected' or 'Counterfeit Cartridge Advisory' Message with A Genuine ....
I hope this information has helped.
JERENDS
I work on behalf of HP
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Ink Smearing on 8610

I have an almost brand new 8610 and the black ink is smearing down the left hand side of the paper. I have cleaned the printheads, calibrated the linefeed, removed and reinstalled the cartridges, checked to make sure I am using the right quality paper and none of these things has worked. It is almost as if there is something dragging through the ink but I can't determine what it is or how to fix it. Does anyone have a suggestion?

Hello @jrmarcels,
I would like to assist you today with resolving the black ink smearing issue that you're experiencing when printing from your Windows 7 computer to your HP Officejet Pro 8610 e-All-in-One Printer. Thank you for including all of the troubleshooting steps you have attempted prior to reaching out for support. Issues like this are normally caused by a defective cartridge or a defective Printhead system. The Printhead is the part that the cartridges fit into. It controls 'reading' the cartridges and putting ink on the page. If the Printhead is defective than the print system within your HP Officejet would be defective and a replacement Printhead would be needed. With that being said, I am going to have you print a standalone Quality Diagnostics Report to verify if the quality defect shows on this. From there I will also have you check the paper path on your machine to ensure that no debris or paper is in the paper path that could be causing the smearing ink issue. Can I please have you follow the steps below.
How to Print a Quality Report:
Load plain white paper into the tray.
On the printer control panel, swipe the display to scroll to Setup, and then touch the Setup icon (). The Setup menu displays.
Swipe the display to scroll to Print Reports, and then touch Print Reports.
Touch Print Quality Report. The printer prints a test page.
If this report prints perfectly: Than the ink smearing issue that you're experiencing is not being caused by your printer. Rather, there is a setting or driver conflict occuring on your computer that is creating this quality issue. To ensure that your driver is functioning properly can I please have you click here to download and run the HP Print and Scan Doctor Tool. This Tool will 'fix printing' issues on your computer. Should any driver, software, or connection conflicts be found than the HP Print and Scan Doctor Tool will attempt to resolve those conflicts for you. Once the Tool has completed, please test printing again.
If this report prints with quality issues: Than this issue is being caused by your print system. Please click here to access the print quality troubleshooting steps. Because you have already run through the recommended quality troubleshooting steps before reaching out for support, simply take a look through the Solutions offered in this document to ensure that nothing has been missed. Once you confirm that all steps have been completed, please click here to access the paper jam troubleshooting steps. I would like you to run through Solution two, Solution three, and Solution four. Once the paper path has been checked and cleaned, please try printing again. Should the smearing issue persist, a replacement black cartridge would need to be tried. If the issue persists with a new black cartridge than the issue lies with the Printhead and a replacement Printhead would be needed.
Please respond to this post with the result of your troubleshooting. I look forward to hearing from you!
X-23
I work on behalf of HP
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Problem with hp photosmart r937.

Hi
I have got problem with hp photosmart r937. Two menu options dosent want works (''Stitch Panorama'' and ''Move images to card''). Before they works but i switch something and now dosent works.
thx.

Hi,
Do you follow the setup guide ? What is the error ? Looks like your printer is not Airprint ready therfore you need to set it up for ePrint.
Regards.
BH
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Pictures too dark with HP photosmart 7510

The pictures are too dark with HP photosmart 7510, after corrections on Lightroom (brightness and contrast at the top); not coloured enough. What can i do?

Hoedic56 wrote:
The pictures are too dark with HP photosmart 7510, after corrections on Lightroom (brightness and contrast at the top); not coloured enough. What can i do?
Start by reading this (then forget about the silly print mode sliders):
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/why_are_my_prints_too_dark.shtml

My hp probook computer(win 7, 64 bit) will not communicate with my photosmart c 6180 printer

HELP! My hp probook computer(win 7, 64 bit) will not communicate (wireless) with my photosmart c 6180 printer. I did have this problem about 6 months ago, and here it is again! I have uninstalled my printer driver,then reinstalled, turned off, and turned on all three , computer, printer, and router (verizon). I tried the link that uses scan doc to determine the problem, but that too cannot find my printer. Also reinstalled the WEP in my printer. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Hey there @kickbk00 , Welcome to the HP Community
I saw your post about the wireless communication issues your Photosmart C6180 is having when connecting to your computer. I understand you have tried recycling the network devices, and uninstalled and reinstalled the printer to no avail.
I would next suggest this troubleshooting guide below. Click the link and select your OS, Wireless Network, and "Solution two: Manually resolve the issue" and follow the steps in order:
'Printer Not Found' Error Message Displays for the HP Photosmart C6100, C7100, and Officejet Pro L77...
I hope the printer communicates with the computer afterwards and connects successfully!
Please get back to me with the results!
R a i n b o w 7000I work on behalf of HP
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“Thanks” for helping!
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HP Solution missing for Windows 7 Professional 64 bit with HP Photosmart C5100

Message indicates HP Solution missing for Windows 7 Professional 64 bit with HP Photosmart C5100.
What is the solution?

Hello love2travel1960 , and welcome to the HP Forums, I hope you enjoy your experience!
I see you are having issues finding the installer. I would like to help.
I would recommend downloading and installing the HP Officejet Pro Full Feature Software and Drivers.
Good luck and please let me know the results of your troubleshooting steps. Thank you for posting on the HP Forums!
Please click “Accept as Solution " if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
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Jamieson
I work on behalf of HP
"Remember, I'm pulling for you, we're all in this together!" - Red Green.

Ink smearing with HP PhotoSmart A826

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