Poor color printing quality

Regarding your question about the HP 920 (or 920XL) refilled cartridge usage/problem...we are guessing you are observing poor print quality or a missing color(s)? Please note this type of problem occurs now and then and is completely recoverable. The most common cause of poor print quality is trapped air between the ink cartridge and PRINTHEAD*, so we suggest you perform the "Clean PrintHead" procedure from your printer control panel (i.e. select 'Tools' - 'Clean Printhead', or similar), you may need to perform it twice (2X) to recover the ink system. If this doesn't work you may wish to jump straight to procedure E.

Please read thru all the checks below prior to beginning:
NOTE: If one or more the colors were previously dry fired during printing (i.e. if you continued printing using only a few colors to one, air may have been accidently ingested into the ink lines between the cartridge(s) and PRINTHEAD*. To recover from this problem, you may have to run the "Clean Printhead" procedure 2-3 times: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1589

A. Watch the video on the HP 920 support page which describes some of the common issues you may encounter with refilled ink cartridges: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1983
- Please note that poor print problems are somewhat common and is completely recoverable in most cases.

B. Then to verify the lines are clear and working correctly, print the "INK RECOVERY TEST PRINT" from our Test Prints page: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=146

C. Then we suggest you run the self-test print (under maintenance/tools menu), this will verify nozzle performance and that each color is firing a solid band of color (i.e. you should not see any bands or missing lines in the pattern). This is also a good test to help isolate which color (or portion of the electronic PRINTHEAD*) may be causing the issue.

D. If a problem persists (poor print quality/missing colors, etc.), then we suggest that you thoroughly review the steps outlined on our HP 920 support pages, including PRINTHEAD* removal/printer cleaning and service station cleaning. It is suggested you refer to printer manufacturer instructions first as the Inkjet411 procedures are provided for general guidance purposes only. Please note that a dirty service station can also cause poor image quality and/or ink cross-contamination or bleed between different colors: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1495

E. If the poor/degraded print quality problem still cannot be corrected, then the PRINTHEAD may be dry and may need to be flushed. Refer to PRINTHEAD flushing video procedure at the following link or refer to steps below: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=2412

1. Remove all ink cartridges from the printer.
2. Remove the printhead - in most cases you will need to pull up on the lever at right side of carriage assembly to unlock the printhead. Lift printhead straight up to remove.
3. Over a sink, run warm tap water directly into the 4 ink ports for approximately 2 minutes - this will effectively saturate the foam ports and blow ink out/thru the nozzle plate bottom.
4. Using a lint-free towel, remove water from rear/bottom electrical contacts. Ensure printhead electrical contacts and exposed surfaces are fully dry.
5. Install the printhead into the printer. You may observe a "Replace Printhead message" so you will need to cycle printer power by turning printer off and then on to clear the error.
6. Install ink cartridges and retest printer. You should observe a New PRINTHEAD alert message followed by an approx. 4-minute preparation countdown prompt.
7. If permissible, activate the 'Clean Printhead'. This can be done from the printer's control panel or software printer driver (for example, by selecting 'Tools' - 'Clean Printhead', or similar).
F. To perform advanced PRINTHEAD diagnosis please visit our 'HP Printer Diagnostic Test' page: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1813

*The HP 920 printer models have an electronic PRINTHEAD (customer replaceable) within the base of the carriage assembly (responsible for pulling ink from the 4 ink cartridges and then firing the ink droplets onto the paper) - the PRINTHEAD will eventually fail over time depending on printed content, frequency of printing and printer duty cycle.

Video of how the PRINTHEAD functions: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=2054

NOTE: "Empty" and "Low Ink" alerts are COMPLETELY NORMAL for HP 920 ink cartridges which have been refilled! While at first this may be an unusual workflow, it does allow print operations to proceed. Only brand new ink cartridges support ink level monitoring. For "Low Ink", "Unauthorized ink", "Non-HP ink", "Fraud", "Counterfeit ink" or similar messages, you may ignore/dismiss this message by pressing 'OK' once for each cartridge, so that the printer resumes its normal operation. We suggest you do this at the printer's control panel immediately following ink cartridge(s) installation.

For information on HP 920 refilling tips please watch the video here: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1983

For poor printing problems I suggest you run the Tap 10 diagnostic print test (see link to video below).
If the new (or refilled/reman/compatible) HP 56, 57 or 58 ink cartridge refuses to print black/color and/or function at all (i.e. blinking ink light on Deskjet 5000 series printer) or fails to complete the printer alignment following cartridge installation, then the ink cartridge either has a connectivity issue with the flexible printed circuit cable (inside unit where cartridge mates with cable), the rear cartridge contacts or cable contacts are dirty with ink residue, or the cartridge is suffering from marginal internal electrical performance. It is suggested you perform the TAP 43 (and TAP 10) DIAGNOSTIC PRINTER TEST to evaluate the ink cartridges electrical performance. Visit Inkjet411 support site to see instructional video: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=2358
NOTE: For the HP Deskjet 5000 series printer models, when you get an HP 56, 57 or 58 integrated ink cartridge refilled (i.e. currently offered at Costco or Frys today) or if you buy a remanufactured/compatible HP ink cartridge, the ink levels are not initially reset. However, continuing to use an ink cartridge which displays LOW INK alerts is permitted by the printer, simply select OK, CONTINUE or DISMISS when these alerts are observed. Now, it is possible to reset the ink levels by performing the procedure outlined on Inkjet411's site: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1915
To clean the HP 56, 57 or 58 ink cartridges please visit the Inkjet411 site which provides recommendations on how to clean the electrical contacts, flex driver cables and how to perform a hot water flush of the nozzle plate (refer to video): http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1519

ADJUST THE COLOR AND PRINT SPEED You may need to adjust the color and print speed. CHECK THE LEVEL OF INK IN THE PRINT CARTRIDGES 1 From the Finder desktop, double-click the Lexmark X5400 Series folder. 2 Double-click the Lexmark X5400 Series Utility icon. 3 From the Maintenance tab, check the ink levels of the cartridges. If an exclamation point (!) appears on a cartridge, the ink level is low. Install a new cartridge. Improving print quality These are possible solutions. Try one or more of the following: CHECK PAPER • Use the appropriate paper for the document. If you are printing photos or other high-quality images, for best results use Lexmark Photo Paper or Lexmark PerfectFinish Photo Paper. Do not use Lexmark Premium Photo Paper. Your print cartridges are not compatible with this type of paper. • Use a paper that is a heavier weight or bright white. CHECK PRINT CARTRIDGES If the document still does not have the print quality you want, follow these steps: 1 Align the print cartridges. For more information, see "Aligning print cartridges" on page. If print quality has not improved, continue to step 2. 2 Clean the print cartridge nozzles. For more information, see "Cleaning the print cartridge nozzles" . If print quality has not improved, continue to step 3. 3 Remove and reinsert the print cartridges. For more information, see "Removing a used print cartridge" on and "Installing print cartridges" . If print quality has not improved, continue to step 4. 4 Wipe the print nozzles and contacts. For more information, see "Wiping the print cartridge nozzles and contacts". If print quality is still not satisfactory, replace the print cartridges. For more information, see "Ordering print cartridges". CHECK PRINT CARTRIDGES If the document still does not have the print quality you want, follow these steps: 1 Align the print cartridges. For more information, see "Aligning print cartridges" on page 124. If print quality has not improved, continue to step 2. 2 Clean the print cartridge nozzles. For more information, see "Cleaning the print cartridge nozzles" . If print quality has not improved, continue to step 3. 3 Remove and reinsert the print cartridges. For more information, see "Removing a used print cartridge" and "Installing print cartridges" If print quality has not improved, continue to step 4. 4 Wipe the print nozzles and contacts. For more information, see "Wiping the print cartridge nozzles and contacts"
If print quality is still not satisfactory, replace the print cartridges. For more information, see "Ordering print

You can look in thr user guide or printer help for Troubleshooting and Routine Manteinance.Make sure that the Printer Driver or Paper Type setting in the menu matches the
type of paper you are using. (See Printing in the Software User's Guide on the CDROM.Make sure that your ink cartridges are fresh. The following may cause ink to clog The expiration date written on the cartridge package has passed. (Cartridges
stay usable for up to two years if kept in their original packaging.) The ink cartridge was in your machine over six months.The ink cartridge may not have been stored properly before use.
Try using the recommended types of paper.
CLEANING:
Press Ink.
Press a or b to choose Cleaning.
Press OK.
Press a or b to choose Black, Color
or All.
Press OK.
The machine cleans the print head.
When cleaning is finished, the machine
will go back to standby mode
automatically.

Checking the print quality
If faded or streaked colors and text appear on
your output, some of the nozzles may be
clogged. You can check this by printing the
Print Quality Check Sheet and looking at the
nozzle check pattern.
Press Ink.
Press a or b to choose Test Print.
Press OK.
Press a or b to choose
Print Quality.
Press OK.
Press Color Start.
The machine begins printing the Print
Quality Check Sheet.
Check the quality of the four color blocks
on the sheet.
Is Quality OK?
1.Yes 2.No
Do one of the following:
If all lines are clear and visible, press
1 to choose Yes, and go to step j.
If you can see missing short lines as
shown below, press 2 to choose No.
The LCD asks you if the print quality is
OK for black and three colors.
Black OK?
1.Yes 2.No
Press 1 (Yes) or 2 (No).
The LCD asks you if you want to start
cleaning.
Start Cleaning?
1.Yes 2.No
Press 1 (Yes).
The machine starts cleaning the print
head.
After cleaning is finished, press Color
Start.
The machine starts printing the Print
Quality Check Sheet again and then
return to step e.
Press Stop/Exit.
If you repeat this procedure at least five
times and the print quality is still poor,
replace the ink cartridge for the clogged
color.
After replacing the ink cartridge, check
the print quality. If the problem still
exists, repeat the cleaning and test print
procedures at least five times for the
new ink cartridge. If ink is still missing,
call Brother Customer Service

the messages you get for cartridges other than the original are not trustful. You will get the right reading for original(from Brother) cartridges. Some ink is poor for printing photo quality.

not any refillable ink is right for printing photos, sometimes too dark, sometimes you don't get the right mix of colors.

hi!



Horizontal white lines usually indicate the ink cartridge is running out of ink or has some clogged ink nozzles. Try the following steps:

1. Some of the ink cartridge ink nozzles may be clogged with dry ink. Use the ink cartridge cleaning service to try to clear them. Follow the steps below:
   
   1. check if there is plain white paper in the Input tray.
      
   2. Press Setup .
      
   3. Press < or >to select Tools and then press OK .
      
   4. Press < or > to select Clean Print Cartridge and then press OK . The unit prints a test page.
      
   5. Examine the test page. If the print quality of the page is good, stop here. If the print quality appears to be getting better, run the Clean Print Cartridge utility again
      
2. If the self test appears better, Increase the copy quality setting (Normal or Best) and try copying again. If the quality is still poor, continue to the next step.
   
3. If the quality is still poor, one or more of the cartridges may be low on ink or empty. Follow the steps below to check the ink levels.
   
   1. Open HP Solution Center .
      
   2. Click Settings .
      
   3. Click Print Settings .
      
   4. Click Printer Toolbox .
      
   5. Click the Estimated Ink Levels tab.
      
   6. Replace any ink cartridge that is low on ink.
      
4. If the ink levels are not low, clean the cartridge face and electrical contacts at the back of the print carriage.
   
   1. Open the front of the unit to access the ink cartridges.
      
   2. After the ink cartridges are at the center, unplug the power cord from the back of the unit, and remove the ink cartridges. The power cord must be removed to ensure that the unit is not damaged during the cleaning process.
      
   3. Clean the cross-hatched area of the ink cartridge with a soft clean cloth that is slightly dampened with clean water to remove any build up. Avoid cleaning the ink cartridge nozzle plate. Cleaning this area can force foreign matter into the ink nozzles and plug them
      
   4. With a soft lint free cloth slightly dampened with clean water, clean the copper-colored contacts on the back of the ink cartridges.
      
   5. Allow the cartridges to dry before reinserting them.
      
   6. Close the unit, and plug the power cord back in.
      
   7. Print a self-test page to check the results. Follow the steps below to print a self-test page.
      
      1. Press Setup .
         
      2. Press <or > until Print Report displays and then press OK .
         
      3. Press < or > until Self-Test Report displays and then press OK . The self-test report prints.
         
   8. If the problem is not corrected by cleaning the ink cartridges, replace the ink cartridge(s).
      

- hope it will help to resolve you problem...

See the link below to troubleshoot quality issues.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00711945&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=1146331&rule=46653&lang=en

Try to print a self test page from the printer itself, do these:

1. Press and hold the Cancel and the Color buttons at the same time.
2. Release both buttons.
3. The Self Test Report will be printed.

and check if it is the same output, if yes then follow the steps below:

1. Some of the ink cartridge ink nozzles may be clogged with dry ink. Use the ink cartridge cleaning service to try to clear them. Follow the steps below:
2. Verify that there is plain white paper in the Input tray.
3. Press Setup .
4. Press or to select Tools and then press OK .
5. Press or to select Clean Print Cartridge and then press OK . The unit prints a test page.
6. Examine the test page. If the print quality of the page is good, stop here. If the print quality appears to be getting better, run the Clean Print Cartridge utility again

1. If the self test appears better, Increase the copy quality setting (Normal or Best) and try copying again. If the quality is still poor, continue to the next step.
2. If the quality is still poor, one or more of the cartridges may be low on ink or empty. Follow the steps below to check the ink levels.
3. Open HP Solution Center .
4. Click Settings .
5. Click Print Settings .
6. Click Printer Toolbox .
7. Click the Estimated Ink Levels tab

Replace any ink cartridge that is low on ink.

If the ink levels are not low, clean the cartridge face and electrical contacts at the back of the print carriage.

1. Open the front of the unit to access the ink cartridges.
2. After the ink cartridges are at the center, unplug the power cord from the back of the unit, and remove the ink cartridges. The power cord must be removed to ensure that the unit is not damaged during the cleaning process.
3. Clean the cross-hatched area of the ink cartridge with a soft clean cloth that is slightly dampened with clean water to remove any build up. Avoid cleaning the ink cartridge nozzle plate. Cleaning this area can force foreign matter into the ink nozzles and plug them.

With a soft lint free cloth slightly dampened with clean water, clean the copper-colored contacts on the back of the ink cartridges.

Allow the cartridges to dry before reinserting them.

Close the unit, and plug the power cord back in.

Print a self-test page to check the results. Follow the steps below to print a self-test page.

1. Press Setup .
2. Press or until Print Report displays and then press OK .
3. Press or until Self-Test Report displays and then press OK . The self-test report prints.

If the problem is not corrected by cleaning the ink cartridges, replace the ink cartridge(s).
IF THE SELF TEST REPORT IS CLEAN, THEN TRY TO PRINT FROM ANOTHER SOFTWARE LIKE PAINT, NOTEPAD AND IF THE OUTPUT IS OK THEN THE PROBLEM IS ON THE SOFTWARE THAT YOU ARE USING

White lines through copies White lines can appear on a copy in either a horizontal or vertical direction. How the white line appears on the copy will determine the cause and solution. Horizontal lines Horizontal white lines usually indicate the ink cartridge is running out of ink or has some clogged ink nozzles. Try the following steps: 1. Some of the ink cartridge ink nozzles may be clogged with dry ink. Use the ink cartridge cleaning service to try to clear them. Follow the steps below: 1. Verify that there is plain white paper in the Input tray. 2. Press Setup. 3. Press or to select Tools and then press OK. 4. Press or to select Clean Print Cartridge and then press OK. The unit prints a test page. 5. Examine the test page. If the print quality of the page is good, stop here. If the print quality appears to be getting better, run the Clean Print Cartridge utility again 2. If the self test appears better, Increase the copy quality setting (Normal or Best) and try copying again. If the quality is still poor, continue to the next step. 3. If the quality is still poor, one or more of the cartridges may be low on ink or empty. Follow the steps below to check the ink levels. 1. Open HP Solution Center. 2. Click Settings. 3. Click Print Settings. 4. Click Printer Toolbox. 5. Click the Estimated Ink Levels tab. Figure 1: Estimated ink levels - both cartridges low NOTE: You can also open the Printer Toolbox from the Print Properties dialog box. In the Print Properties dialog box, click the Features tab and then click Printer Services button then click the Estimated Ink Levels tab. 6. Replace any ink cartridge that is low on ink. 4. If the ink levels are not low, clean the cartridge face and electrical contacts at the back of the print carriage. 1. Open the front of the unit to access the ink cartridges. 2. After the ink cartridges are at the center, unplug the power cord from the back of the unit, and remove the ink cartridges. The power cord must be removed to ensure that the unit is not damaged during the cleaning process. 3. Clean the cross-hatched area of the ink cartridge with a soft clean cloth that is slightly dampened with clean water to remove any build up. Avoid cleaning the ink cartridge nozzle plate. Cleaning this area can force foreign matter into the ink nozzles and plug them. Figure 2: Cleaning the ink cartridge 1 - Clean in the cross-hatched area only 2 - Do not touch the nozzle plate 3 - Clean the copper-colored contacts 4. With a soft lint free cloth slightly dampened with clean water, clean the copper-colored contacts on the back of the ink cartridges. 5. Allow the cartridges to dry before reinserting them. 6. Close the unit, and plug the power cord back in. 7. Print a self-test page to check the results. Follow the steps below to print a self-test page. 1. Press Setup. 2. Press or until Print Report displays and then press OK. 3. Press or until Self-Test Report displays and then press OK. The self-test report prints. 5. If the problem is not corrected by cleaning the ink cartridges, replace the ink cartridge(s). Vertical lines Vertical white lines usually indicate the scanner did not calibrate correctly. This can be caused by debris on the scanner glass or white reference pad. Try the following steps: 1. Turn off the HP all-in-one product and unplug the power cord. 2. Open the document cover to access the scanner glass. 3. Using a non abrasive glass cleaner, thoroughly clean the scanner/copier glass, and white lid backing on the inside of the top cover. CAUTION: Spray the cleaner onto the cloth. Never spray fluids directly onto the HP all-in-one product. 4. Plug in the power cord and turn on the HP all-in-one. Let me know what happens, Good Luck, Tim