How to Repair a Deskjet 5940

The Hewlett-Packard Deskjet 5940 Photo Printer can print black and white documents at 30 pages per minute and color documents at 24 pages per minute. Like other printers, you may encounter problems with the device as you use it for everyday printing. If you are having problems with your HP 5940, there are ways to troubleshoot the machine.

Things You'll Need

• HP Deskjet 5940 installation CD

Instructions

1. Use the "HP Print Diagnostic Utility" to solve problems with your printer. The utility is included as part of the initial installation of the printer. If you do not have this utility installed in your computer, use the printer installation CD and access the utility installer from there. If you do not have the installation CD, however, you may download and install the program by following links on HP's website.

2. Troubleshoot hardware issues. If the printer does not power on, unplug the power cord from the power outlet as well as from the power socket in your printer. Wait at least 15 seconds before plugging the power cable back into the printer power socket and into an active power outlet. If the printer turns on but is not detected by the computer, unplug one end of the USB cable from the data port of the printer and the other end from the USB port of the computer and then plug them back in. If after doing this the computer still does not detect the printer, plug the USB cable into a different USB port. If this still does not work, the USB cable may be malfunctioning or there may be a problem with the printer itself.

3. Ensure that the ink cartridges are compatible with the printer you are using. Compatible cartridges include the HP 96 black inkjet print cartridge (C8767WN), HP 98 black cartridge (C9364WN), HP 95 tricolor cartridge (C8766WN) and HP 97 tricolor cartridge (C9363WN). If you are using an incompatible cartridge, you will not be able to use the printer. This may also result in printer damage.

4. Check if the cartridge has enough ink to print documents. If the printer is producing fuzzy or blurry pages, the cartridge may not have enough ink or already be empty. To check, open the program that you use to print documents. Click "File," "Print" and then "Properties." Select the "Services" tab, click "Service This Device" and then "Estimated Ink Levels."

5. Install a new printer cartridge. Turn on the printer, lift the printer cover and wait for the carriage to move to the right side. Press the cartridge installed and pull it from the carriage to remove. Remove any packing tape that covers the new ink cartridge and place it into the printer carriage until it snaps into place. Close the printer cover.

6. Delete pending documents in the printing queue. Click "Start," "Control Panel," "Devices and Printers" and then double-click "HP DeskJet 5940." Delete the pending documents listed.

References

• Hewlett Packard: HP Deskjet 5940 Printer series---Overview and Features
• Hewlett Packard: HP Single-Function Printers---Fix Common Problems Using HP Diagnostic Tools
• Hewlett Packard: HP Single-Function Printers - Slow Printing in Windows: Hardware Issues
• Hewlett Packard: HP SureSupply
• Hewlett Packard: Check Ink Levels
• Hewlett Packard: Install or Replace the Print Cartridges

Resources

• Hewlett Packard: Troubleshoot a problem---HP Deskjet 5940 Printer series
• Hewlett Packard: HP Print Diagnostic Utility