my hp deskjet prints super faded or has streaks even with new cartridges, is it clogged?

Diagnosis

The HP DeskJet 4155e utilizes an integrated printhead design, meaning the nozzles are built directly into the bottom of the ink cartridges rather than the printer chassis. When you see faded text or horizontal streaks (banding), it indicates that the microscopic nozzles are partially obstructed. This is typically caused by "ink drying," where air penetrates the cartridge seal or the printer sits idle for more than two weeks, allowing the ink to solidify into a crust that blocks the fluid flow. Because the 4155e uses a thermal inkjet process, any air bubble trapped in the ink delivery system or a partial clog will prevent the ink from firing consistently. If you have already replaced the cartridges and the problem persists, the issue is likely not the ink level, but a failure of the printhead to "prime" correctly or a buildup of dried residue on the electrical contact points between the cartridge and the carriage, preventing the nozzles from heating up and firing the ink droplets.

How to Fix It

To resolve this, you must perform a multi-stage cleaning process to force the ink through the nozzles and clear the obstructions.

1. Open the HP Smart App on your mobile device or PC. Ensure the printer is connected and shows as "Ready."
2. Navigate to the printer settings menu by clicking on the printer icon. Select Print Quality Tools or Printer Maintenance.
3. Select Clean Printheads. The printer will run a short cycle and print a diagnostic page. If the streaks are still present, do not stop here; run the "Level 2" or "Deep Clean" if prompted.
4. If the software clean fails, perform a manual contact clean. Open the ink cartridge access door and remove both the black and tri-color cartridges.
5. Locate the gold-colored electrical contacts on the back of the cartridges and the corresponding pins inside the carriage. Use a lint-free cloth dampened with a tiny amount of distilled water (do not use rubbing alcohol) to gently wipe the gold contacts.
6. Carefully dab the bottom of the cartridge (the nozzle plate) with a damp, lint-free paper towel. Press the nozzle flat against the towel for 2 seconds. If you don't see a solid rectangle of ink (black for the black cartridge, three distinct stripes for the color), the nozzle is still clogged.
7. Reinsert the cartridges, ensuring they click firmly into place, and run one final "Clean Printheads" cycle from the HP Smart App.

If That Didn't Work

• The "Warm Soak" Method: If the nozzles are severely dried, remove the cartridges and place the printhead end (the bottom) into a shallow bowl containing about 1cm of very warm distilled water. Let them soak for 30 minutes. This softens the dried ink plugs. Dry the contacts thoroughly before reinstalling.
• Hard Reset the Carriage: With the printer powered on, unplug the power cord from the back of the machine. Wait 60 seconds. While unplugged, hold the power button for 15 seconds to discharge remaining electricity. Plug it back in and try a test print.
• Verify Ink Venting: Check the top of the new cartridges. Ensure the orange plastic pull-tab was removed completely. If a tiny piece of the adhesive seal remains over the vent hole, a vacuum forms inside the cartridge, preventing ink from flowing to the nozzles regardless of how many cleaning cycles you run.
• Replace Cartridges Again: If you are using "remanufactured" or third-party cartridges, the 4155e often rejects these or they leak air into the chamber. Try a genuine HP 67 ink set to rule out hardware incompatibility.

Heads Up

• Avoid Over-Cleaning: Do not run the "Clean Printheads" utility more than 3 times in a row. This process consumes a significant amount of ink and can actually introduce air bubbles into the printhead, making the streaks worse.
• Print Weekly: To prevent this from recurring, print a "test page" or a small document at least once every 7 to 10 days. This keeps the ink fluid and prevents the nozzles from drying out.
• Use Distilled Water Only: When cleaning contacts or soaking nozzles, never use tap water. The minerals in tap water can leave deposits on the gold contacts, causing "Cartridge Incompatible" errors.
• Storage: Always keep the printer in a climate-controlled environment. Placing the printer near a heater or in a drafty area accelerates the drying process of the ink in the nozzles.