“My HP printer keeps printing alignment page” is a common complaint from HP users. Therefore, this article will guide you on how to fix this problem.
Table of Contents
My HP Printer Keeps Printing Alignment Page [Reason]
If you are asking “why does my HP printer keep printing alignment page?” the reason is usually that during a cartridge replacement, the printer alignment process wasn’t completed.
My HP Printer Keeps Printing Alignment Page [Solutions]
If your HP printer keeps printing an alignment page, do the solutions below in the given order to fix this problem.
Complete the Printer’s Alignment Process – Solution 1
To complete your printer’s alignment process, do the following steps:
Step 1: Load normal white paper into your printer’s input tray.
Step 2: Move the tray’s paper width guides to be at the sides of the paper stack. Ensure that the guides do not squeeze the paper stack.
Step 3: Print the alignment page.
To print the alignment page, click this link: My HP Printer Won’t Print Alignment Page – Print the Alignment Page Manually, and follow the instructions under the “Print the Alignment Page Manually – Solution 4” section.
Step 4: For printers designed with a scanner, check the alignment page for instructions on how to scan and complete your printer alignment. Ensure that you follow the instructions.
Step 5: Restart the printer. Alternatively, you can print another document.
If the error is not resolved, move to the solution below.
Check the Ink Cartridges – Solution 2
Do the following to check the ink cartridges:
Step 1: Open your printer’s cartridge access door.
If you don’t know how to do this, consult your user manual since the process varies from model.
Step 2: Allow your printer’s carriage to become idle (stop moving).
Important: If you can’t reach the cartridges, don’t move the printer’s carriage. Instead, move on the solution 7.
Step 3: Take out the cartridges.
Warning: Don’t touch the nozzles or copper contacts. Doing so might lead to poor electrical connections, clogs, and ink failure.
Step 4: Inspect for debris in the cartridges.
Step 5: Ensure that the electrical contacts and nozzles aren’t shielded by protective plastic or tape.
Step 6: Insert the cartridges back into their slots.
Step 7: Close the printer’s cartridge access door.
Step 8: Wait for your printer to print an alignment page.
Step 9: Follow the prompts on your computer to scan and then complete the process of aligning your printer.
Step 10: Restart your HP printer. Alternatively, print another document.
If the error is not resolved, move to the solution below.
We recommend that you read this article: HP Printer Alignment [How To/Issues & Solutions] to learn how to solve other HP printer alignment issues.
Examine the Alignment Page – Solution 3
If the solution above doesn’t work, check the alignment page for missing sections or colors.
Depending on the model of your HP printer, the page should have only black or multiple color ink. Most pages have a series of blocks and lines.
If there are defects, move to the solution below.
If there aren’t any defects, move to Solution 5.
Clean your Printer’s Printheads – Solution 4
To clean your printer’s printhead, click this: HP Printer Printing Blank Pages – The Printhead is Dirty, and then follow the instructions under the “The Printhead is Dirty” section.
If your HP printer keeps aligning printheads, the instructions in that link should resolve the issue.
After cleaning the printhead and the error persists, move to the solution below.
Clean your Printer’s Electrical Contacts – Solution 5
Do the following steps to clean your printer’s electrical contacts:
Step 1: Get the following:
i. Distilled water or bottled water.
Caution: Tap water should not be used as it might have contaminants that might destroy the cartridges.
ii. Soft fluff-free fabric or neat cotton swabs.
Step 2: Open your printer’s cartridge access door.
Step 3: Wait until the carriage becomes idle (stop moving).
Important: If you can’t reach the cartridges, don’t try to adjust the carriage position. Instead, jump to solution 7.
Step 4: Take out the cartridges from your printer.
Step 5: Place the cartridges on a sheet of paper that is on an even surface. Ensure that the nozzles face up.
Caution: Don’t touch the nozzles or copper contacts. Doing so might lead to poor electrical connections, clogs, and ink failure.
Step 6: Dampen the cotton swab or fabric with distilled water. Ensure that you squeeze out excess liquid from it.
Step 7: Hold the sides of your cartridge and clean only the copper contacts. Remember not to touch the contacts with your hand.
Step 8: Repeat step 6 with the other cartridges.
Step 9: Remove the power cable from your printer.
Warning: It is important that you remove the power cable before cleaning the contacts in your printer to avoid electric shock and injuries from moving parts.
Step 10: Dampen another cotton swab or fabric and then clean the contacts in your printer.
Step 11: Wait for about 10 minutes to allow the contacts and the cartridges to dry.
Step 12: Insert the cartridges back into your printer. Ensure they are put in the right slots.
Step 13: Close your printer’s cartridge access door.
Step 14: Plug the power cable into your printer.
Your printer will print an alignment page.
Step 15: To scan the printed alignment page, follow the prompts.
Step 16: Restart your HP printer. Alternatively, print another document.
If the error is not resolved, move to the solution below.
Replace your Ink Cartridges – Solution 6
If your HP printer always prints an alignment page, do the steps below to replace your ink cartridges to fix the problem.
Step 1: Open your printer’s cartridge access door.
Step 2: Allow your printer’s carriage to become idle (stop moving).
Step 3: Take out the damaged or faulty cartridge (or cartridges as the case may be) from your printer.
Step 4: Take the new cartridge (or cartridges as the case may be) out of their packaging.
Step 5: Remove the protective plastic or tape on the cartridge.
Warning: Don’t touch the nozzles or copper contacts. Doing so might lead to poor electrical connections, clogs, and ink failure.
Step 6: Install the new cartridge into your printer.
Step 7: Close your printer’s cartridge access door.
Step 8: Wait for your printer to print an alignment page.
Step 9: Follow the prompts on your computer to scan and then complete the process of aligning your printer.
Step 10: Restart your HP printer. Alternatively, print another document.
If the error is not resolved, move to the solution below.
Reset your HP Printer – Solution 7
If your HP printer prints an alignment page every time, resetting it might fix the problem. To reset your HP printer, click this link: My Printer Won’t Print Alignment Page – Reset your HP Printer, and follow the steps we shared under the “Reset your HP Printer – Solution 3” section.
After resetting your printer, restart it or print another document.
If the problem is not fixed, move to the solution below.
Service your HP Printer – Solution 8
To service your HP printer, you need to contact HP Customer Support for further assistance. A date will be fixed when your printer will be repaired for free if it is still under warranty.
If your HP printer keeps asking for alignment, doing the solutions above should help clear this recurring message.
