The HP Envy series of printers is designed for both home and small office use and has a sleek, stylish appearance and a wide array of features that set it apart from other HP printers. If you have tried printing several times and have faced low ink warnings, cartridge errors, or bad print quality, you can do something about it. By reading this article, you will learn how to troubleshoot and fix HP Envy printer ink-related issues. Follow these quick & simple, step-by-step solutions to restore your printer to its peak performance.
Read: How to Set Up WiFi on HP DeskJet 4100e Printer Easily
Common HP Envy Printer Ink Problems
Before we start with the solutions, let’s first recognize the most common HP Envy printer ink problems you may encounter:
- Low Ink Warning: Your printer reports ink levels of the new cartridges are low.
- Cartridge Cannot Be Recognized: The printer cannot recognize the ink cartridge.
- Low Print Quality: The print is streaky, faint, or lacks colors.
- Ink Cartridge Errors: Error messages such as “Incompatible Cartridge” or “Cartridge Problem” appear.
- Print Not printing: The printer does not wish to print Improper ink amounts or bad ink.
To solve a problem, you must first recognize it. Let’s find out the solutions for such issues regarding HP Envy printer ink.
Step 1: Verify the Ink Levels and the HP Envy Printer Ink Cartridge Compatibility
When you receive a low ink message or wonder if the cartridges are properly installed or your printer doesn’t recognize the replacements, then the first reasons that come to mind are: maybe the cartridges are not installed well or the cartridges were not compatible with your printer. Here’s how to address this:
- Check Ink Levels: Open the HP Smart app or your printer’s control panel to view ink levels. If levels look off, go through the next few steps.
- Peace of Mind: It’s important to check for product compatibility so you won’t end up with a future hassle or product return. Refer to your printer’s manual or to HP’s website to find out the cartridge numbers (HP 62, HP 64) that its models take.
- Reinstall Cartridges: Take the ink cartridges out and reseat them properly. This might help with the detection.
If the issue continues, clean the contacts on the cartridge.
Step 2: Clean the HP Envy Printer Ink Cartridge Contacts and the Printhead
HP Envy printer ink problems are caused by dirty places or printhead clogging. Dirty contacts or clogging of the Printhead are also the cause of HP Envy printer ink problems, such as streaky prints or cartridge errors. Follow these steps:
- Power Off the Printer: Disconnect your HP Envy printer for your safety.
- Remove Cartridges: Carefully pull out the ink cartridges.
- Clean Contacts: Gently wipe the contacts with a cloth, then a cotton swab, moistened with water, to clean the cartridge and inside the printer. Avoid touching the nozzles.
- Clean Printhead: If your printer’s printhead is removable, rinse it under warm water (consult your printer manual for instructions). For printers with a built-in printhead, activate a cleaning cycle using the printer’s control panel or HP Smart app.
- Dry and Replace: Allow the cartridge and ink supply ports to dry out for 2 hours. Plug in the units and install the Refill Kit into the printer.
Print a test page after cleaning to see if the problem is fixed.
Step 3: Install the Latest Printer Firmware and Drivers
HP Envy printer ink cartridge error is caused by outdated firmware or drivers. Maintaining the current software on your printer means that you can use the printer cartridges and enjoy a seamless printing experience.
- Check for Updates: Go to HP’s official website and type your printer model to download the latest firmware and drivers.
- Update System: Look for the link on your computer to install the updates or locate it on the printer itself.
- Restart the Printer: Once you have updated, restart your printer and computer to save the changes.
Try printing to test whether you fixed the ink issue.
Step 4: Reset the Printer
A factory reset may clear all internal errors that may be causing HP Envy printer ink problems.
- Access the Settings: Click on the wrench to the right of the printer in the window.
- Tap on Reset: Select “Restore Factory Settings” or “Reset All Settings.”
- Reconfigure printer: After resetting go ahead and plug the printer into your network and insert the ink cartridges.
Note: All settings will be restored to factory defaults, so you’ll need to reconfigure your Wi-Fi and other settings after the reset.
Step 5: Address Poor Print Quality
If you experience faded or streaky prints, clogged nozzles and low HP Envy ink might be the problem. Try these fixes:
- Run Cleaning Cycles: Utilize the printer’s control panel or HP Smart app to run 1 – 3 cleaning cycles. Print a test page after every cycle.
- Use Original HP Cartridges: This is not an HP C2P05AN OEM or remanufactured toner cartridge. Ensure that your printing is right the first time and every time!
- Align Printer: Pass an alignment cycle using the printer settings to guarantee the ink is distributed in the right way through the printer to the page.
Step 6: Contact HP Support
If the above are all a failure, then it is time to contact the HP official website because your HP Envy printer ink problem might be the result of a hardware failure, while others could be caused by a minor software glitch that can be easily resolved.
- Visit HP Support: Head to the official HP support site, and type in your printer model.
- Chat or Call: HP live chat and phone support options help you contact them directly.
- Warranty Check: If your printer is under warranty, you could be eligible for free repairs or replacement ink.
Tips to Prevent Future HP Envy Printer Ink Issues
To ensure your HP Envy printer operates efficiently, do the following preventive measures:
- Use Genuine Cartridges: HP Envy Original ink is the only ink precisely developed and tested with your HP Envy printer to provide the best quality and consistency.
- Print Often: Keep ink from drying out by printing once a week or more.
- Store Cartridges Properly: Store replacement cartridges in a cool place, free from heat and direct light.
- Keep Up to Date: Check for firmware and driver updates often.
Conclusion
HP Envy printer ink problems, like all other issues are easy to troubleshoot. You can troubleshoot most printer issues without an expensive HP service company by checking ink levels, cleaning cartridges, updating software and using genuine HP products. And if problems do emerge, HP’s support team is only a click away. Keep your printer up and running with minimal maintenance thanks to lifetime replacement and tool-free installation.
