Things You'll Need:
- HP inkjet printer
- Internet connection
- Printer manual
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Step 1
Though it may seem obvious, many people neglect to check that the printer is powered up correctly. Make sure the printer is plugged into a working electrical outlet and that the LED light or LCD screen indicates the printer is on and ready.
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Step 2
Check the status. This is easy for printers with LCD screens. It should read "Ready" or "On-line." LED lights will usually be green. If the light flashes or the screen displays an error message, check your manual to determine the cause.
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Step 3
Paper is finicky and can easily get jammed. Check the paper trays to be sure there is enough and that it is feeding correctly. If paper is stuck in the printer, gently try to remove it.
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Step 4
Check the ink. Print a test page to see if all the cartridges are working correctly. If a certain color is missing or faded, you may need to replace that cartridge.
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Step 5
Clean and align the print heads. The printer can usually do this automatically. Open up the printer's software or access the properties through control panel to run these operations.
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Step 6
Make sure the cables are connected. A plug may have been knocked loose or may not be connected properly. Make sure the USB or parallel cable runs from the printer to the appropriate port on the back of your computer.
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Step 7
Reinstall the drivers. If the hardware is fine, you may have a software problem. Remove your old drivers and then reinstall the drivers using the disc that came with your printer. If those don't work, try downloading patches or updates from the HP website.
