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Printer Support - Help with troubleshooting laser and inkjet printers
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Browsing In Home > Support > How To > Hewlett Packard > The printed output contains garbled, jumbled, or illogical text; or the printed output is incomplete, or is missing text or graphics. Glossary of printer troubleshooting terms Glossary Contact Us


The printed output contains garbled, jumbled, or illogical text; or the printed output is incomplete, or is missing text or graphics.

Solution one: Print a test page and check the print cartridge

Step one: Print a test page

To help diagnose the issue, first print a test page. Follow the steps for your product:

HP LaserJet 1022, or P1505 series products

  1. From the product control panel, press and then release the green Go button.

HP LaserJet M1120, or M1319 series products

  1. From the product control panel, press Setup .

  2. Use the arrow buttons to select Reports , and then press OK .

  3. Use the arrow buttons to select Demo page , and then press OK .

HP LaserJet 1018, 1020, P1005, or P1006 series products

  1. Open Printer Properties.

    1. Open the Printer or the Printers and Faxes folder.

      • Windows XP : Click Start , and click Printers and Faxes .

      • Windows Vista : Click the Vista icon, click Control Panel , click Hardware and Sound , and then click Printer .

    2. Right-click the product icon, and click Properties .

  2. On the General tab, click Print Test Page .

The test page prints.

If the test page prints normally , but you are still experiencing print quality issues, skip to Solution four: Disconnect and reconnect the USB cable .

If the test page contains garbled, illogical text, or is missing text or graphics , see the next step.

Step two: Check the print cartridge

Make sure the protective seal is removed from the print cartridge.

  1. Open the print cartridge door.

    NOTE: If you are using an M1120 or M1319 series product , first push the release button, and then open the print cartridge door.
  2. Grasp the handle on the print cartridge and then pull the print cartridge straight out to remove it.

  3. If the print cartridge seal is in place, remove it. To do this, pull the tab on the end of the print cartridge until the entire length of the seal is removed.

    Figure 2: Remove the print cartridge seal

  4. Reinstall the print cartridge, and close the print cartridge door.

  5. Try again to print.

  • If these steps resolved the issue , you do not need to continue troubleshooting.

  • If the issue persists , see the next solution.

Solution two: Connect directly to a wall outlet

Devices, such as power strips or surge protectors, attached between the product and the wall outlet can sometimes interfere with communication to and from the product. To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

  1. Connect the product directly to the wall outlet.

  2. Try again to print a test page using the steps for your operating system in Step one: Print a test page.

  • If these steps resolved the issue , you do not need to continue troubleshooting.

  • If the issue persists , see the next solution.

Solution three: Check the product environment

The product environment can directly affect print quality and is a common cause for print quality or paper feeding issues.

  1. For the best possible print quality, make sure of the following:

    • Move the product away from drafty locations such as open windows or doors, or air conditioning vents.

    • Make sure the product is not exposed to high temperatures or extreme humidity.

      • Very dry (low humidity) conditions can increase the amount of background shading .

      • Very wet (high humidity) conditions can fog up the laser scanner optics, cause drop-outs , cause uneven dark, light or fuzzy print , or leave water droplets on the printed page.

    • Remove the product from confined spaces such as a cabinet.

    • Remove anything blocking the top vents. Make sure that there is good air flow throughout the product, including the top.

    • Protect the product from airborne debris, steam, grease, or other elements that can leave residue inside the product.

  2. Try again to print.

If these steps resolved the issue , you do not need to continue troubleshooting.

If the issue persists , contact HP to obtain additional troubleshooting information.

Solution four: Disconnect and reconnect the USB cable

If the computer and the product are not communicating correctly, the USB cable might be loose or defective.

  1. Turn off the product, and disconnect the power cord from the wall outlet.

  2. Disconnect the USB cable from the product and the computer, and then inspect both ends of the cable for damage.

  3. If the USB cable is in good condition, reconnect it to the product and directly to the computer, making sure that the connections are tight.

    If the USB cable is damaged, replace it.

  4. Reconnect the power cord to the wall outlet, and turn on the product.

  5. Try again to print.

  6. If these steps did not resolve the issue, try to connect an alternate USB cable to the product and your computer.

    • If these steps resolved the issue, there is a problem with the original USB cable. Replace the USB cable.

    • If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

  7. Try to connect the USB cable and printer to another computer (if possible), and then try again to print.

If these steps resolved the issue , there is a problem with your computer. Contact your computer manufacturer.

If the issue persists , continue to the next solution.

Solution five: Reset the product and restart the computer

If the computer and the product are not communicating correctly, restarting the computer, and resetting the product might help.

  1. Press the Power button, or flip the power switch, to turn off the product.

  2. Restart the computer.

  3. Press the Power button, or flip the power switch, to turn on the product, and then wait until the product is idle and silent.

  4. Try again to print.

  • If these steps resolved the issue , you do not need to continue troubleshooting.

  • If the issue persists , continue to the next solution.

Solution six: Check the printer default

Make sure that the correct product driver is selected as the default.

  1. Open the Printer or the Printers and Faxes window.

    • Windows XP : Click Start , and click Printers and Faxes .

    • Windows Vista : Click the Vista icon, click Control Panel , click Hardware and Sound , and then click Printer .

  2. Find your product, and check whether it is selected as the default printer.

    • If the product icon appears with a checkmark, skip to the next step.

    • If the product icon does not appear with a checkmark, right-click the product icon, and select Set as Default Printer .

  • If these steps resolved the issue , you do not need to continue troubleshooting.

  • If the issue persists , continue to the next solution.

Solution seven: Check the file

If a specific file prints garbled or illogical text, or is missing text or graphics, there might be a problem with that specific file.

  1. Make sure that the file is not missing text or graphics, and does not contain blank pages.

    NOTE: You can use the Print Preview option in the software program (if available) to check the file.
  2. Try to print a different file.

    If this file prints normally , there is likely a problem with the original file.

    If this file prints with garbled or illogical text, or is missing text or graphics , continue to the next solution.

Solution eight: Check the software program

If a specific software program prints garbled text, there might be a problem with that software program.

  1. Try to print from a different software program.

    If the file prints with garbled or illogical text, or is missing text or graphics, skip to Solution nine: Service the product .

    If the file prints normally from a different software program, there might be an issue with the original software program. Continue to the next step.

  2. Obtain the latest software updates, and then restart the computer.

  3. Try again to print.

    If these steps resolved the issue , you do not need to continue troubleshooting.

    If the issue persists , contact the software vendor for support.

Solution nine: Service the product

Causes

  • The product is not connected directly to the computer, or directly to the wall outlet.

  • The USB cable is loose or damaged.

  • The computer needs to be restarted.

  • The wrong printer driver was selected when the software was installed.

  • If a specific file prints garbled text, there might be a problem with that specific file.

  • If a specific software program prints garbled text, there might be a problem with that software program.

  • The print cartridge seal is in place, or the print cartridge is damaged.











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Article 637
Created 10-6-2009
Author Ken
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