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HP PSC 1315 All-in-One Printer - Troubleshooting Print-Quality Issues
Issue
The quality of the printout or printed image is not as expected.
Try the following solutions in the order presented to resolve the issue. When one of the solutions resolves the issue, there is no need to continue troubleshooting.
|
NOTE:
|
Many steps in this procedure require that you install the HP full feature software and drivers. We recommend you go to the
Support and Drivers download page
to download the full feature version of the driver before continuing. |
Solution one: Use genuine ink cartridges
|
NOTE:
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The following instructions assume that you are using genuine HP cartridges. |
HP recommends that you use genuine HP cartridges. HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP cartridges, or refilled HP cartridges. If you are not using genuine HP cartridges, the following solutions might not resolve your print quality issue.
Solution two: Check ink levels and replace low or empty ink cartridges
Follow these steps to check the ink levels on your product, and then replace low or empty cartridges according to the results.
|
NOTE:
|
Ink level warnings and indicators provide estimates for planning purposes only. When an indicator shows low-ink levels, consider having a replacement cartridge available to avoid possible printing delays. You do not need to replace cartridges until print quality becomes unacceptable. |
Open the Printers folder:
The Printers
folder opens.
Right-click the icon for your product, and then click Printing Preferences
. The Printing Preferences
window opens.
In the Printing Preferences
window, click the Services
tab, and then click Service this device
. The printer Toolbox
opens.
Click the Estimated Ink Levels
tab. The estimated ink-levels graphic displays.
Figure 1: Estimated ink levels
Solution three: Check the paper
Use the following guidelines to make sure the paper you are using is appropriate for the print job. If it is not, reload the product with an appropriate paper type.
Load the paper print-side down in the input tray. Many papers have printing and nonprinting sides.
Make sure that the paper is not wrinkled or curled. Load only clean, wrinkle-free paper into the product.
Use the correct paper type for your project. For everyday documents, plain paper works well. For documents with dense printing, such as high-contrast graphics or photographs, use HP Premium Plus paper for the best results.
Store photo paper in its original packaging inside a resealable plastic bag. Store the paper on a flat surface in a cool, dry place. Load photo paper only when you are ready to print, and then put the unused paper back in the packaging.
Try using a different paper. Paper that does not accept ink well is also prone to print defects. HP ink and paper are designed to work together.
After trying the preceding guidelines, try printing again.
If these steps resolved the issue
, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
If the issue persists
, continue to the next solution.
Solution four: Check the print settings
Follow these steps to check the print settings to make sure that they are appropriate for your print job.
Step one: Check the print quality settings
In the software application you are trying to print from, click File
and then click Print
. The Print
dialog box opens.
Select your product and then click Preferences
. The printer Properties
dialog box opens.
Click the Features
tab.
Review the following options on the Features
tab, and then make any necessary changes.
Print quality
: If you are not satisfied with the quality of your printouts, increase the print quality. To print more quickly, decrease the print quality.
Paper type
: If one of the options matches your paper type exactly, choose the matching option rather than Automatic
.
Resizing Options
: Make sure the selected option matches your paper size.
If these steps resolved the issue
, there is no need to continue troubleshooting.
If the issue persists
, see the next step.
Step two: Check the Print in Grayscale setting
The product software might be set to print in grayscale. Follow these steps to check this setting.
In the software program from which you want to print, click File
, and then click Print
. The Print
dialog box opens.
Make sure your product is selected, and then click Properties
or Preferences
. The Properties
dialog box opens.
Click the Color
tab.
Make sure Print in Grayscale
is not
selected.
If these steps resolved the issue
, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
If the issue persists
, continue to the next solution.
Solution five: Print and evaluate an extended self-test report and troubleshoot defects
Follow these steps to print, and then evaluate an extended self-test report.
Step one: Print an extended self-test report
If you have not already, load clean, plain white paper in the main tray.
Press and hold the Cancel
button ( 
) on the product control panel. Press the Start Copy Color
button.
Release both buttons. The extended self-test report prints.
Step two: Determine which cartridges printed which areas of the extended self-test report
Different cartridges print different areas of the extended self-test report. Use the following steps to determine which cartridge printed which areas.
The printer uses two cartridges: either a black and tri-color cartridge combination, or a photo and tri-color cartridge combination. The number and arrangement of color bars on the self-test page depends on the cartridges installed.
| Example extended self-test reports by cartridge configuration
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|---|
| Cartridge configuration
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Example
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Which cartridges printed which areas
|
| Tri-color cartridge and black cartridge
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1 - Printed by the black cartridge
2 - Printed by the tri-color cartridge
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| Tri-color cartridge and photo cartridge
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1 - Printed by the tri-color cartridge
2 - Printed by the photo cartridge
|
Step four: Clean the ink cartridges using an automated utility
Follow these steps to run a utility to clean the cartridges if you found defects on the extended self-test report.
Open the Printers folder:
The Printers
folder opens.
Right-click the icon for your product, and then click Printing Preferences
. The Printing Preferences
window opens.
In the Printing Preferences
window, click the Services
tab, and then click Service this device
. The printer Toolbox
opens.
Click the Device Services
tab, and then click Clean the Print Cartridges
.
In the next box, click Clean
. The cleaning utility runs, and the product prints a page with an illustration.
Examine this test page for print-quality issues.
If these steps resolved the issue
, there is no need to continue troubleshooting.
If the issue persists
, see the next step.
Step five: Align the printer
Follow these steps to open the printer toolbox and align the printer, if you found defects on the extended self-test report.
Press and hold the Cancel
button (
) and the On/Resume
button ( 
). The Check Paper
and Check Print Cartridge
lights should blink.
Release both buttons.
|
NOTE:
|
You will have eight seconds to complete the next five steps. |
Press the Cancel
button (
) again. Press the Copies
button.
Press the Paper Type
button.
Press the Start Copy - Color
button.
The alignment sheet will begin printing. If the sheet does not start printing, repeat the button press combinations.
Open the scanner glass lid.
Place the alignment sheet face down on the left-front corner of the glass. See the engraved guides on the sides of the scanner glass for assistance.
Figure 2: Load the alignment sheet on the scanner glass
Close the lid, and then press the Scan
button. Wait while the product finishes the alignment. The On
light ( 
) blinks until the alignment completes. - Try the print job again.
If these steps resolved the issue
, there is no need to continue troubleshooting.
If the issue persists
, see the next step.
Step six: Clean the area around the ink nozzles
Follow these steps to clean the area surrounding the ink nozzles on the cartridges. You need to complete these steps only if you noticed track marks or smears in the text on the extended self-test report as described earlier in this document.
Press the On
button (
) to turn on the product. Open the cartridge access door. The carriage might try to move into the access area. If it does, allow it to move to that position.
Figure 3: Open the cartridge access door
Wait until the carriage is idle and silent, and then unplug the power cord from the back of the product.
Lightly press down on the problem cartridge to release it, and then pull it out of its slot.
| CAUTION:
|
Do not remove both cartridges at the same time. Do not leave a cartridge outside the product
for more than 30 minutes. |
Set the cartridge on a piece of paper with the ink nozzles facing up.
Lightly moisten a clean, foam-rubber swab with distilled water.
Clean the face and edges around
the ink nozzle with the swab.
| CAUTION:
|
Do not clean the ink nozzle plate. |
Figure 4: Clean the area around the ink nozzle
1 - Nozzle plate - DO NOT CLEAN
2 - Area surrounding ink nozzle - Do clean
Either let the cartridge sit for 10 minutes to allow the cleaned area to dry, or use a new swab to dry it.
Slide the cartridge back into the slot. Push the cartridge forward until it clicks
into place.
Repeat these steps for the other cartridge, if necessary.
Gently close the product cover, and then plug the power cord into the back of the
product.
Try printing again.
If these steps resolved the issue
, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
If the issue persists
, continue to the next solution.
Solution six: Replace the problem ink cartridge
With the product on, remove the old cartridge.
Remove the new cartridge from its packaging.
Remove the pink pull-tab from the new cartridge.
| CAUTION:
|
Do not touch the copper-colored electrical contacts or the ink nozzles on the print cartridge. Doing so can cause bad electrical connections, clogged ink nozzles, or poor print quality. |
Insert the new cartridge in the appropriate slot at a slight angle, and then push the cartridge forward until it snaps into place.
Wait while the product automatically prints an alignment sheet, and then follow the instructions on the alignment sheet to finish aligning the new cartridge.
If these steps resolved the issue
, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
If the issue persists
, continue to the next solution.
Solution seven: Review additional information
Additional information
HP offers additional resources for information on your product. HP recommends exploring these resources.
If these steps resolved the issue
, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
If the issue persists
, continue to the next solution.
Solution eight: Service the All-in-One
|
NOTE:
|
Keep a print sample that shows the problem. If the ink cartridges, printhead, or printer is replaced under warranty, the support agent will request the print sample. If the printer is returned to HP, the print sample must be returned with the printer. Place the sample in the output tray when you package your printer for shipping. |
Service the Product - Contextual Wrapper
There might be a problem with the product hardware or a component may not be functioning correctly. The next step is to service the product.
If you have completed all the preceding steps and are still experiencing a problem, service the product.
Determine if your product is in warranty or out of warranty. If you need help determining your product’s warranty status, go to
HP’s Warranty Check Tool
. If your product is in warranty
, contact HP.
If your product is out of warranty
, fees might apply for contacting HP.
If you have completed all the preceding steps and are still experiencing a problem, service the product.
Determine if your product is in warranty or out of warranty. If you need help determining your product’s warranty status, go to
HP’s Warranty Check Tool
. |
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Printable version
