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HP 8500 User Guide - Page 197

General print quality troubleshooting, Meaningless characters print, Check the document file

UPC - 884420397625

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General print quality troubleshooting Check the printheads and ink cartridges Print the print quality diagnostic page on a clean sheet of white paper. Evaluate any problem areas, and perform the recommended actions. For more information, see To print the print quality diagnostic page. Check the paper quality Make sure the media meets HP specifications, and try to print again. For more information, see Select print media. Check the type of media loaded in the device • Make sure the tray supports the type of media you have loaded. For more information, see Understand specifications for supported media. • Make sure you have selected the tray in the print driver that contains the media that you want to use. Check the device location and length of USB cable It is recommended that you use a USB cable that is less than 3 meters (9.8 feet) long to minimize the effects of these electromagnetic fields. You can also try to use a different USB cable to see if the USB cable has failed. Meaningless characters print If an interruption occurs to a job that is printing, the device might not recognize the rest of the job. Cancel the print job and wait for the device to return to the ready state. If the device does not return to the ready state, cancel all jobs in the printer driver, power cycle the device, and then print the document. Check the cable connections If the device and computer are connected with a USB cable, the problem may be due to a poor cable connection. Make sure the cable connections at both ends are secure. If the problem persists, turn off the device, disconnect the cable from the device, turn on the device without connecting the cable, and delete any remaining jobs from the print spooler. When the Power light is on and not flashing, reconnect the cable. Check the document file The document file may be damaged. If you can print other documents from the same application, try printing a backup copy of your document, if available. Poor print quality and unexpected printouts 193

Section	Page
Contents	5
Get started	15
Find other resources for the product	15
Finding the device model number	17
Accessibility	17
Understand the device parts	17
Front view	18
Printing supplies area	19
Back view	19
Control panel	20
Control-panel buttons and lights (Color display)	20
Control-panel buttons and lights (Two-line display)	21
Color display	23
Two-line display	24
Connection information	25
Turn off the device	25
Eco-Tips	25
Install the accessories	27
Install the duplexer	27
Install Tray 2	27
Turn on accessories in the print driver	28
To turn on accessories on Windows computers	28
To turn on accessories on Macintosh computers	28
Use the device	29
Use device control-panel menus	29
Device control-panel message types	30
Status messages	30
Warning messages	30
Error messages	30
Critical error messages	30
Change device settings	30
Text and symbols	31
Type numbers and text on the control-panel keypad	31
To enter text	32
To enter a space, pause, or symbol	32
To erase a letter, number, or symbol	32
Type text using the visual keyboard (some models only)	32
Available symbols for dialing fax numbers (some models only)	33
Use the HP software	33
Use the HP photo and imaging software	33
Use the HP productivity software	34
Load the originals	35
Load an original in the automatic document feeder (ADF)	35
Load an original on the scanner glass	36
Select print media	36
Recommended papers for printing and copying	37
Tips for selecting and using print media	38
Understand specifications for supported media	39
Understand supported sizes	39
Understand supported media types and weights	42
Set minimum margins	43
Load media	44
Configure trays	47
Print on special and custom-sized media	48
Print borderless	49
Print	51
Change print settings	51
Change settings from an application for current jobs (Windows)	51
Change default settings for all future jobs (Windows)	52
Change settings (Mac OS X)	52
Print on both sides (duplexing)	52
Guidelines for printing on both sides of a page	52
Perform duplexing	53
Print a Web page	53
Cancel a print job	54
Scan	55
Scan an original	55
Scan an original to a computer (direct connection)	56
Scan an original to a computer (network connection)	56
Scan an original to a memory device	56
Use Webscan via embedded Web server	57
Scan from a TWAIN-compliant or a WIA-compliant program	57
Scan from a TWAIN-compliant program	57
Scan from a WIA-compliant program	57
Edit a scanned original	58
Edit a scanned photo or graphic	58
Edit a scanned document using optical character recognition (OCR) software	58
Change scan settings	58
Cancel a scan job	59
HP Digital Solutions (some models only)	61
What are HP Digital Solutions?	61
HP Direct Digital Filing	61
HP Digital Fax	61
Requirements	62
Setting up the HP Digital Solutions	63
HP Direct Digital Filing	63
Set Up Scan to Network Folder	64
Use HP Scan to Network Folder	65
Set Up Scan to E-mail	65
Use Scan to E-mail	67
Set Up HP Digital Fax	68
Using HP Digital Fax	69
Work with memory devices	71
Insert a memory card	71
Connect a digital camera	72
Connect a storage device	74
Print DPOF photos	75
View photos	75
View photos (color display models only)	76
View photos using your computer	76
Print photos from the control panel	76
Print selected photos	76
Print an index sheet from the device control panel	77
Print passport photos (color display models only)	77
Save photos to your computer	78
Fax	79
Send a fax	79
Send a basic fax	80
Send a fax manually from a phone	80
Send a fax using monitor dialing	81
Send a fax using the broadcast fax option (color display models only)	82
Send a fax from memory	82
Schedule a fax to send later	83
Send a fax to multiple recipients	83
Send a fax to multiple recipients from the device control panel	84
Send a color original fax	84
Change the fax resolution and Lighter / Darker settings	84
Change the fax resolution	85
Change the Lighter / Darker setting	86
Set new default settings	86
Send a fax in Error Correction Mode	86
Receive a fax	87
Receive a fax manually	87
Set up backup fax reception	88
Reprint received faxes from memory	89
Poll to receive a fax	90
Forward faxes to another number	90
Set the paper size for received faxes	91
Set automatic reduction for incoming faxes	91
Block junk fax numbers	91
Set the junk fax mode	92
Add numbers to the junk fax list	92
Remove numbers from the junk fax list	93
View a list of blocked fax numbers	93
Receive faxes to your computer (Fax to PC and Fax to Mac)	93
Fax to Pc and Fax to Mac requirements	94
Activate Fax to PC and Fax to Mac	94
Modify Fax to PC or Fax to Mac settings	95
Turn off Fax to PC or Fax to Mac	96
Change fax settings	96
Configure the fax header	96
Set the answer mode (Auto answer)	97
Set the number of rings before answering	97
Change the answer ring pattern for distinctive ring	98
Set the fax error correction mode	99
Set the dial type	99
Set the redial options	99
Set the fax speed	100
Set the fax sound volume	101
Set up speed-dial entries	101
Set up fax numbers as speed-dial entries or groups	101
Set up speed-dial entries	101
Set up a speed-dial group	102
Print and view a list of speed-dial entries	103
View a list of speed-dial entries	103
To print a list of speed-dial entries	103
Fax over Internet Protocol (FoIP)	104
Test fax setup	104
Use reports	105
Print fax confirmation reports	106
Print fax error reports	107
Print and view the fax log	107
Clear the fax log	108
Print the details of the last fax transaction	108
Print a Caller ID History Report	108
Cancel a fax	109
Copy	111
Make copies from the device control panel	111
Change the copy settings	112
Set the number of copies	112
Set the copy paper size	112
Set the copy paper type	113
Change copy speed or quality	113
Resize an original to fit onto letter or A4 paper	114
Copy a legal-size document onto letter paper	115
Crop an original (color display models only)	116
Adjust the lightness and darkness of your copy	116
Enhance light areas of your copy	116
Collate a copy job	117
Apply Margin Shift to a Copy Job	117
Two-sided copy jobs	118
Cancel a copy job	118
Configure and manage	119
Manage the device	119
Monitor the device	120
Administer the device	121
Use device management tools	122
Use the Toolbox (Windows)	123
Open the Toolbox	123
Toolbox tabs	123
Network Toolbox	124
Use the HP Solution Center (Windows)	125
Use the Embedded Web server	125
To open the embedded Web server	126
Embedded Web server pages	126
Use the HP Device Manager (Mac OS X)	127
Use the HP Printer Utility (Mac OS X)	127
Open the HP Printer Utility	128
HP Printer Utility panels	128
Understand the self-test report	128
Understand the network configuration page	129
Configure network options	131
Change basic network settings	131
Modify wireless settings	131
View and print network settings	131
Turn the wireless radio on and off	132
Change advanced network settings	132
Set link speed	132
To view IP settings	133
To change IP settings	133
Set up faxing for the device	133
Set up faxing (parallel phone systems)	134
Choose the correct fax setup for your home or office	135
Case A: Separate fax line (no voice calls received)	137
Case B: Set up the device with DSL	138
Case C: Set up the device with a PBX phone system or an ISDN line	139
Case D: Fax with a distinctive ring service on the same line	140
Case E: Shared voice/fax line	141
Case F: Shared voice/fax line with voice mail	142
Case G: Fax line shared with computer modem (no voice calls received)	143
Case H: Shared voice/fax line with computer modem	146
Case I: Shared voice/fax line with answering machine	150
Case J: Shared voice/fax line with computer modem and answering machine	152
Case K: Shared voice/fax line with computer dial-up modem and voice mail	156
Serial-type fax setup	157
Configure the device (Windows)	158
Direct connection	158
Install the software before connecting the device (recommended)	159
Connect the device before installing the software	159
Share the device on a locally shared network	160
Network connection	160
Install the device on a network	162
Install the device software on client computers	162
Install the printer driver using Add Printer	163
Install the device in a pure IPv6 network environment	163
Configure the device (Mac OS X)	164
Install the software for network or direct connection	164
Share the device on a locally shared network	165
Set up the device for wireless communication (some models only)	166
Understand 802.11 wireless network settings	166
To set up wireless communication using the installer (Windows)	167
To set up wireless communication using the installer (Mac OS X)	168
To set up wireless communication using the device control panel with wireless setup wizard	168
Connect the device using an ad hoc wireless network connection	169
To turn off wireless communication	169
Configure your firewall to work with HP devices	169
Change the connection method	170
Guidelines for ensuring wireless network security	171
To add hardware addresses to a WAP	171
Other guidelines	171
Set up the device for Bluetooth communication	172
To set up the device for Bluetooth communication via the embedded Web server	173
Connect the device with Bluetooth	173
Connecting the device with Bluetooth on Windows	173
Connect the device with Bluetooth on Mac OS X	174
Set Bluetooth security for the device	175
Use a passkey to authenticate Bluetooth devices	175
To set the device to be visible or not visible to Bluetooth devices	176
Reset Bluetooth settings via the embedded Web server	176
Uninstall and reinstall the software	176
Maintain and troubleshoot	179
Replace the ink cartridges	179
Maintain the printheads	180
To check printhead health	181
To print the print quality diagnostic page	181
To align the printheads	183
To calibrate the linefeed	183
To clean the printheads	184
To clean the printhead contacts manually	184
To replace the printheads	186
Store printing supplies	188
Store ink cartridges	188
Store printheads	188
Clean the device	188
Clean the scanner glass	189
Clean the exterior	189
Clean the automatic document feeder	190
General troubleshooting tips and resources	192
Solve printing problems	193
The device shuts down unexpectedly	194
Error message appears on control-panel display	194
The device is not responding (nothing prints)	194
Device takes a long time to print	195
Placement of the text or graphics is wrong	195
The device prints half a page, then ejects the paper	196
Poor print quality and unexpected printouts	196
General print quality troubleshooting	197
Meaningless characters print	197
Ink is smearing	198
Ink is not filling the text or graphics completely	198
Output is faded or dull colored	198
Colors are printing as black and white	199
Wrong colors are printing	199
Printout shows bleeding colors	199
The printout has a horizontal band of distortion near the bottom of a borderless print	199
Colors do not line up properly	200
Text or graphics are streaked	200
Something on the page is missing or incorrect	200
Solve paper-feed problems	200
Solve copy problems	202
No copy came out	202
Copies are blank	202
Documents are missing or faded	203
Size is reduced	203
Copy quality is poor	203
Copy defects are apparent	203
The device prints half a page, then ejects the paper	204
Error messages appear	204
Solve scan problems	204
Scanner did nothing	205
Scan takes too long	205
Part of the document did not scan or text is missing	206
Text cannot be edited	206
Error messages appear	207
Scanned image quality is poor	207
Scan defects are apparent	208
Solve fax problems	209
The fax test failed	209
Solve HP Digital Solutions problems	223
Solving HP Direct Digital Filing problems	223
Common problems	223
Unable to scan to network folder	224
Unable to scan to e-mail	224
Solving HP Digital Fax problems	226
Solve network problems	227
Solve wireless problems	228
Basic wireless troubleshooting	228
Advanced wireless troubleshooting	229
Make sure your computer is connected to your network	230
Make sure that the HP device is connected to your network	231
Check to see if the firewall software is blocking communication	232
Make sure the HP device is online and ready	232
Your wireless router is using a hidden SSID	233
Make sure the wireless version of the HP device is set as the default printer driver (Windows only)	233
Make sure the HP Network Devices Support service is running (Windows only)	233
Add hardware addresses to a wireless access point (WAP)	234
Solve photo (memory card) problems	234
The device cannot read the memory card	234
The device cannot read photos on the memory card	235
The device prints half a page, then ejects the paper	235
Solve device management problems	235
Embedded Web server cannot be opened	236
Troubleshoot installation issues	236
Hardware installation suggestions	237
Software installation suggestions	238
Clear jams	238
Clear paper jams	239
Avoid paper jams	241
Errors (Windows)	241
Printhead(s) Missing	242
Incompatible Printhead	242
Printhead problem	242
Fax Memory Full	242
Device Disconnected	242
Replace Cartridge(s) Soon	243
Cartridge Problem	243
Cartridge Problem	243
Paper Mismatch	243
The cartridge cradle cannot move.	243
Paper Jam	244
Paper Jam	244
The printer is out of paper.	244
Incompatible Cartridge(s)	244
Printer Offline	244
Printer Paused	245
Document failed to print	245
General printer error	245
HP supplies and accessories	247
Order printing supplies online	247
Accessories	247
Supplies	248
Ink cartridges and printheads	248
HP media	249
Support and warranty	251
Obtain electronic support	251
Warranty	252
Ink cartridge warranty information	253
Obtain HP telephone support	254
Before you call	254
Support process	254
HP support by phone	255
Phone support period	255
Telephone support numbers	256
Placing a call	257
After the phone support period	257
Additional warranty options	257
HP Quick Exchange Service (Japan)	258
HP Korea customer support	258
Prepare the device for shipment	259
Remove the ink cartridges and printheads before shipment	259
Remove the device control-panel faceplate	261
Remove the duplexer	263
Remove the output tray	263
Pack the device	263
Device specifications	265
Physical specifications	265
Product features and capacities	265
Processor and memory specifications	266
System requirements	266
Network protocol specifications	267
Embedded Web server specifications	268
Print specifications	268
Copy specifications	268
Fax specifications	268
Scan specifications	269
Environmental specifications	269
Electrical specifications	269
Acoustic emission specifications (print in Draft mode, noise levels per ISO 7779)	270
Supported devices	270
Memory card specifications	270
Regulatory information	273
FCC statement	274
VCCI (Class B) compliance statement for users in Japan	274
Notice to users in Japan about the power cord	275
Notice to users in Korea	275
Toxic and hazardous substance table	275
Notice to users of the U.S. telephone network: FCC requirements	276
Notice to users of the Canadian telephone network	277
Notice to users in the European Economic Area	278
Australia wired fax statement	278
Regulatory information for wireless products	278
Exposure to radio frequency radiation	279
Notice to users in Brazil	279
Notice to users in Canada	279
Notice to users in Taiwan	280
European Union regulatory notice	281
Regulatory model number	281
Declaration of conformity	282
Environmental product stewardship program	284
Paper use	284
Plastics	284
Material safety data sheets	284
Recycling program	284
HP inkjet supplies recycling program	284
Disposal of waste equipment by users in private households in the European Union	285
Power consumption	286
Chemical Substances	286
Third-party licenses	287

Match case Limit results 1 per page

General print quality troubleshooting

Check the printheads and ink cartridges

Print the print quality diagnostic page on a clean sheet of white paper. Evaluate any

problem areas, and perform the recommended actions. For more information, see

the

quality

diagnostic

page

Check the paper quality

Make sure the media meets HP specifications, and try to print again. For more

information, see

Select

media

Check the type of media loaded in the device

•

Make sure the tray supports the type of media you have loaded. For more

information, see

Understand

specifications

for

supported

media

•

Make sure you have selected the tray in the print driver that contains the media

that you want to use.

Check the device location and length of USB cable

It is recommended that you use a USB cable that is less than 3 meters (9.8 feet) long

to minimize the effects of these electromagnetic fields. You can also try to use a

different USB cable to see if the USB cable has failed.

Meaningless characters print

If an interruption occurs to a job that is printing, the device might not recognize the rest

of the job.

Cancel the print job and wait for the device to return to the ready state. If the device

does not return to the ready state, cancel all jobs in the printer driver, power cycle the

device, and then print the document.

Check the cable connections

If the device and computer are connected with a USB cable, the problem may be due

to a poor cable connection.

Make sure the cable connections at both ends are secure. If the problem persists, turn

off the device, disconnect the cable from the device, turn on the device without

connecting the cable, and delete any remaining jobs from the print spooler. When the

Power light is on and not flashing, reconnect the cable.

Check the document file

The document file may be damaged. If you can print other documents from the same

application, try printing a backup copy of your document, if available.

Poor print quality and unexpected printouts

193