it's printing super slow, like it pauses for several seconds between each line on a document.

Diagnosis

This specific "stuttering" behavior—where the printer pauses for several seconds between lines—is almost never a mechanical failure of the print head or a lack of ink. Instead, it is a classic symptom of a "buffer underrun." The HP Smart Tank 7602 has a limited internal memory buffer; when the data stream from your computer or smartphone is interrupted or arrives slower than the printer can execute the lines, the printer stops mid-page to wait for the next packet of data. This is typically caused by high network latency or packet loss on a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band, which is prone to interference from microwaves, baby monitors, and neighboring routers. If you are printing a high-resolution PDF or a document with complex embedded graphics, the file size exceeds the printer's immediate cache, forcing it to rely on a constant, high-speed stream of data. If that stream is unstable, you get the rhythmic pausing you are experiencing.

How to Fix It

To resolve this, you must stabilize the data pipeline and optimize how the printer handles the incoming job. Follow these steps precisely:

1. Verify Signal Quality: On the printer's control panel, navigate to Setup > Reports > Network Configuration Page. Locate the "Signal Strength" or "RSSI" value. If the value is higher than -70 dBm (e.g., -75 or -80), the connection is too weak. Move the printer closer to the router or relocate the router to eliminate physical barriers like metal filing cabinets or thick concrete walls.
2. Disable "Quiet Mode": Press the Menu button, go to Settings > Printer Settings > Quiet Mode and ensure it is turned OFF. When Quiet Mode is enabled, the printer intentionally slows down the carriage movement to reduce noise, which can exacerbate the perceived pausing between lines.
3. Change the Print Quality Setting: Open the print dialog on your PC. Go to Printer Properties > Paper/Quality. Change the setting from "Best" to "Normal" or "Draft." High-quality settings increase the amount of data sent per line, making the printer more susceptible to buffer underruns.
4. Update the Firmware: Open the HP Smart App on your device, select your 7602 printer, go to Advanced Settings, and check for firmware updates. HP frequently releases patches to improve the network stack and memory management for the Smart Tank series.
5. Assign a Static IP: Access the printer's Embedded Web Server (EWS) by typing the printer's IP address into a web browser. Go to the Network tab, select IPv4 Configuration, and change "Automatic/DHCP" to "Manual/Static." This prevents the printer from momentarily disconnecting during a DHCP lease renewal.

If That Didn't Work

• Switch to a USB Connection: If Wi-Fi remains unstable, connect the printer directly to your computer using a USB 2.0 A-to-B cable. This bypasses the network entirely and eliminates packet loss, which will immediately confirm if the issue is environmental (Wi-Fi) or software-related.
• Clear the Print Spooler: On Windows, open services.msc, find the Print Spooler service, right-click it, and select Restart. A corrupted print queue can send fragmented data packets, causing the printer to hesitate as it tries to reassemble the page.
• Print as Image (PDFs only): If this only happens with PDFs, open the file in Adobe Acrobat, go to Print > Advanced, and check the box for "Print As Image." This converts the complex vector data into a simple bitmap, which is much easier for the printer's memory to process.
• Reset Network Defaults: On the printer control panel, go to Settings > Network Setup > Restore Network Settings. This clears any cached DNS errors or IP conflicts that may be slowing down the handshake between your device and the printer.

Heads Up

• Avoid placing the printer directly next to a wireless router; keeping a distance of 3-5 feet prevents "signal drowning" where the signal is actually too strong and creates noise.
• The Smart Tank 7602 uses a high-capacity ink system, but if you haven't printed in over two weeks, the printer may perform a silent "maintenance cycle" mid-job, which looks like a pause. Print a test page weekly to keep the system primed.
• If you are using a Wi-Fi extender or mesh system, ensure the printer is connected to the 2.4GHz band rather than 5GHz, as the 2.4GHz band has better wall penetration and stability for printers.