How to Align an HP Printer Cartridge

Perform an alignment when you change your print cartridges.

The print cartridges inside your HP printer play a vital role in the quality of your printouts, and in order to function properly they must be properly aligned. Each time you change or clean the print cartridges in your HP printer, you should perform an alignment to make sure each cartridge is in the proper position. Aligning the print cartridges is not difficult, and it takes only a few steps and a couple minutes of your time.

Instructions

Windows

1. Log on to your computer and click the "Start" button. Choose "Programs" from the list.

2. Highlight the program that corresponds to your printer model, for example, HP Deskjet 9600. Choose the "Toolbox" option from the list.

3. Click the "Printer Services" tab. Make sure there is paper in the tray, then choose "Align Print Cartridges" to start the alignment process. The rest of the process is automated.

Mac

1. Load plain paper in the paper tray. Log on to your computer.

2. Click the "HP Inkjet" utility. Open the "Calibrate" panel.

3. Click "Align" to start the alignment process.

References

• HP Support: Replacing and Aligning Print Cartridges