In this article, we will provide solutions to a common problem HP printer users complain about: “My HP printer won’t print alignment page”
Table of Contents
My HP Printer Won’t Print Alignment Page [Solutions]
If your HP printer won’t print an alignment page, try the solutions in the given order to fix the problem.
Ensure that your Printer is in a Ready State to Print – Solution 1
To ensure that your HP printer is in a ready state to print, do the following steps:
Step 1: Turn your HP printer on.
Step 2: Ensure that you load normal white paper into the printer’s input tray. Therefore, if you are using special or photo paper, we advise that you remove it and use normal white paper.
Step 3: Ensure that the tray’s paper guides next to the loaded paper stack. Ensure that the guides are not squeezing the paper.
Step 4: Open your printer’s cartridge access door.
Step 5: Allow your printer’s carriage to become idle (not moving) before continuing.
Step 6: Check for obstructions (tape, packing material, etc.) in the printer. If you find any, remove them.
Step 7: Close your printer’s cartridge access door.
Wait for your printer to print an alignment page.
If your printer prints an alignment page, continue and complete your printer’s alignment process.
If your printer fails to print an alignment page, move to the solution below.
In this article: HP Printer Alignment [How To/Issues & Solutions], we discuss other HP printer alignment issues that this article doesn’t cover.
Remove, Examine, and Reinsert Cartridges – Solution 2
If the cartridge is not installed properly, your HP printer will not print an alignment page. Therefore, do the following steps to remove, examine, and then reinsert your ink cartridges.
Step 1: Open your printer’s cartridge access door.
Step 2: Allow your printer’s carriage to become idle (not moving) before continuing.
Important: If you can’t reach the cartridges, don’t try to adjust the carriage position. Instead, move to solution 3.
Step 3: Take out a cartridge and confirm that the protective plastic and tape are removed. If they are not, remove them.
Step 4: Place the cartridge on a sheet of paper that is on an even surface.
Caution: The cartridge should be held at its sides. Ensure that you don’t touch the ink nozzles or the copper contacts. Touching those areas might lead to poor electrical connections, clogs, and ink failure.
Step 5: Take out the other cartridges and check for protective plastic and tape as you did in step 3.
Step 6: Look for obstructions around and under the carriage. If you find any, remove them.
Step 7: Insert the cartridges into their appropriate slots in your printer. Ensure that they click in place.
Step 8: Close your printer’s cartridge access door.
Wait for your printer to print an alignment page.
If your printer prints an alignment page, continue and complete your printer’s alignment process.
If your printer fails to print an alignment page, move to the solution below.
If your HP printer won’t align cartridges, the steps above should resolve the issue.
Reset your HP Printer – Solution 3
If your HP printer alignment page is not printing, follow the steps below to reset your HP printer to fix the problem:
Step 1: Unplug the power cable from your printer while it is on.
Step 2: Disconnect the power cable from the wall outlet or power source.
Step 3: Wait for about 60 seconds.
Step 4: Connect the power cable to an electric wall outlet.
Important: HP recommends that you plug the printer into an electric wall outlet directly instead of power strips and surge protectors.
Step 5: Plug the power cable into your printer.
Step 6: Turn on your HP printer.
Step 7: Wait for your printer to print an alignment page.
If your printer prints an alignment page, continue and complete your printer’s alignment process.
If your printer fails to print an alignment page, move to the solution below.
We recommend that you read this article: How to Reset HP Printer [Detailed Guide] to learn about other kinds of resets that can be done on your HP printer,
Print the Alignment Page Manually – Solution 4
Do the following to print the alignment page manually if your HP printer is not printing alignment page:
Step 1: Download your HP printer software and install it on your device if you haven’t installed it.
Step 2: Print the alignment page via any of the HP printer alignment tools below.
Via Printer’s Control Panel (For Printers with a Control Panel Menu)
i. Open the menu for “Printer Maintenance” or “Tools”.
ii. Select the “Print an Alignment Page”, “Align Cartridge” or “Align Cartridges” option.
Via HP Smart App (For iOS, macOS, Windows 10)
i. Open the HP Smart App on your device.
ii. Choose your HP printer.
iii. Click on “Print Quality Tools”.
iv. Choose the option that aligns the cartridges or printheads.
Via HP Printer Assistant (For Windows)
i. Click on “Maintain Your Printer”.
ii. Choose the option that aligns the cartridges or printheads.
Via HP Utility (For Mac)
i. Choose the option that aligns the cartridges or printheads.
Via HP Solution Center (Windows Vista, XP)
i. Click on “Settings”.
ii. Click on “Printer Toolbox”.
iii. Click on the tab for “Device Services”.
iv. Click on “Align the Print Cartridges”. This action will print the alignment page.
In case you get a prompt on the alignment page, software, or control panel of your printer, complete the printer alignment by scanning the alignment page.
Step 3: In case your HP printer is designed with a scanner, check the alignment page for instructions on how to scan and also complete your printer’s alignment.
If you’ve been asking “how do I get my HP printer to print an alignment page?” we believe the steps we just shared have answered your question.
If the above solution fails to resolve the error, do the solution below.
Service your HP Printer – Solution 5
If none of the solutions above resolves the issue, visit http://www.hp.com/go/contacthp to arrange for a repair of your HP printer. If your HP printer is still under warranty, the repair fee will be free. However, if your printer is no longer under warranty, you will pay a fee for the repair. In case the product is beyond repair, a replacement will be made for printers under warranty.
If your HP printer alignment page is not printing correctly or your HP printer will not align printheads, the solutions above can fix this problem.
The printhead below is compatible with HP Officejet Pro 8100, 8600, 8620, 251DW, and 276DW.
