I have a HP 4100 printer. Installed new ink.Purple streaks

Hi Mandy,
Is this is new cartridge that you are using ? Sometimes due to the ink level variations this can happen. Or the printer color / print quality settings need to be checked.

Thanks
Seb

Try cleaning nozzle with dry paper towel, cartridge should leave 3 streaks: Yellow, Cyan, Magenta.
If colours on paper seams to be tinted or mixed the cartridge needs to be reclamated, there is no other solution.
If there is an lack of one or more colours try to wipe nozzle with wetted paper towel in window cleaner. After few wipes, 3 colours sholud apper

Please use the Print Quality Troubleshooting Tool for your printer's model at the following link:
http://h10039.www1.hp.com/cpso-support-new/pq/4650/home.html

This will take you through a step-by-step process to diagnose the cause of the problems you have & correct them.
Feel free to let me know if you need any further assistance.

The product software print setting is probably designated as grayscale. Follow these steps to check this setting:

1. In the software application you are trying to print from, click File , and then click Print . The Print dialog box opens.
2. Make sure your printer is selected, then click Preferences . The printer Preferences dialog box opens.
3. Select the Color tab, then make sure that the Print in grayscale option is not selected.

Step 2: Check ink levels
NOTE: If you have installed a refilled or remanufactured print cartridge, or a cartridge that has been used in another printer, the ink level indicator will be inaccurate or unavailable.

Open the Printer Toolbox . There are two ways to open it:

• Open HP Solution Center , select the Settings menu, then the Print Settings submenu, and finally the Printer Toolbox .
• If the HP Solution Center method does not work, open Printers and Faxes in the Windows Control Panel , then right-click your printer icon and click Properties . Click Printing Preferences . Click the Services tab, then the Service This Device icon.

The Printer Toolbox opens. Click the Estimated Ink Level tab. A cartridge might be running out of ink even if the graphic shows ink remaining (see the note at the start of this section). Lines or streaks always appear in printouts when the cartridges begin to run out of ink. Replace print cartridges that are out of ink or low on ink.

Remove your printer from the PC and uninstall the printer software. Now reinstall the printer software and connect the Printer to be detected and installed. Check printer properties to see the ink levels.
Use head cleaning before a test is taken . It is possible that the head is not reacting to the need of the command , can be an issue with ink drying , can also be poor ink cartridge contacts or possible fault of the printing head.

As you have replaced the both cartridges and still the issue persists, then this is a hardware issue with the unit. Please repair your printer.

:) Dr Tony

If the clean test page shows streaked or broken colors, the printer or cartridges are not functioning properly. Note that HP cannot guarantee the quality of refilled or remanufactured cartridges. Follow the steps below to solve the problem:

1. Remove and reseat the cartridges. Try printing again.
2. Check ink levels, and if a cartridge is low on ink or out of ink, replace it and try printing again.
3. Clean the cartridges. Depending on what printer you have, you can either print another clean test page or run a cleaning utility. Check your User's Guide for instructions. Try printing again.
4. Clean the contacts, then try printing again. Click here to see how .
5. Align or calibrate your cartridges (depending on what printer you have). Check your User's Guide for instructions.
6. If none of the steps above have helped, clean the nozzle plate manually. Click here to see how .
7. If the problem still has not been solved, replace the cartridges or service the printer. Click here to see how to decide which to do .

Try the "better" or "best" print options - They give more ink - might do the trick - (beware it also prints a lot more slowly....)

I have not had that type of problem as such as both my ink slots work, but I did have purple/bluish print instead of black once - It worked for me -
Hope that helps -

I have also found that despite cartridges being new somethimes they are not as full as they should....

Clearly bad toner cartridge. After long periods of time, the cleaning blade dries out. This cleaning blade works just as the wiper blades of your car. When they wear or dry out, you get streaking water lines in the windshield. Most manufacturers print an expiration date on the consumables wichi you can check before purchasing. Also try not to stock more consumables than those you plan to use within 6 months.

Try this to unclog printhead.
take out cartridge, locate the hole where ink goes trough, put a can of compressed air and blow it.
put some paper under the printhead to catch ink.