“HP printer asking me to scan paper for best quality”. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step to resolve this issue, starting with understanding the prompt itself to successfully calibrating your printer.
Table of Contents
Why Does This Prompt Appear?
Now that you know what the prompt means, you might be asking, “Why did this message show up on my printer?” The most common occasions when this prompt appears include after replacing an ink cartridge, when there has been a firmware update, or if the printer has detected inconsistencies in the print or scan quality.
In essence, the printer is trying to recalibrate itself to ensure that it provides consistent and high-quality output. It’s akin to rebooting your computer to make sure everything runs smoothly.
‘HP Printer Asking Me to Scan Paper for Best Quality’ Solution Steps
Follow the steps below to resolve this problem:
Step 1: Preparing the Printer
Before diving into the actual calibration process, there are some preparatory steps you need to take. Firstly, ensure that your printer is turned on. Look for any indication lights or sounds that confirm it is operational.
Next, make sure it is properly connected to your computer either via a USB cable or a stable Wi-Fi connection. Finally, the paper tray should not be empty; it needs to have paper because you will be printing a test page.
Make sure you use standard-sized, clean, and smooth paper like this HP Printer Paper from Walmart for best results. Any crumpled or stained paper could lead to an unsuccessful calibration.
Step 2: Navigating the Printer Menu
With the printer ready, it’s time to navigate to the appropriate setting on your printer’s control panel. Depending on your model, this could either be a physical button or a touchscreen interface. Locate the ‘Menu’ or ‘Settings’ option and select it.
You will be presented with several menu items. Scroll through these until you find a section that says ‘Maintenance,’ ‘Tools,’ or ‘Printer Settings.’ Within that section, look for an option labeled ‘Alignment’ or ‘Calibration.’ This is what you will need to start the calibration process.
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Step 3: Performing the Calibration
Once you’ve located the ‘Alignment’ or ‘Calibration’ option, select it. Your printer will then proceed to print a calibration or alignment page. This page usually contains various lines, grids, and patterns. Once the page is out, open the scanner lid and place the printed page face-down on the glass.
There are usually markings or icons near the corners of the scanner bed to guide you on where to place the page. Align the page accordingly, close the scanner lid, and then press ‘OK’ or ‘Scan’ to tell the printer to start scanning the calibration page. This is the critical step where the printer scans the test page to adjust its internal settings.
Step 4: Confirm Successful Calibration
After the scanner has completed its job, the printer will take a few moments to process the data. Once it has successfully calibrated itself, a confirmation message will appear on the printer’s display or control panel, typically stating that the calibration was successful. If this doesn’t happen, it’s a good idea to repeat the process to ensure that the printer calibrates correctly.
Once you see the confirmation message, you are good to go. Your printer should now be optimized for the best quality, and you shouldn’t see the “scan paper for best quality” prompt any longer.
