my prints are coming out with streaks and faded colors, i just put in new hp 67 ink, is the printer broken?

Diagnosis

The issue you are experiencing with your HP DeskJet 4155e is not a hardware failure or a "broken" printer, but rather a classic case of printhead nozzle obstruction. Because this model uses integrated ink cartridges (where the printhead is built directly into the HP 67 cartridge), the ink can dry and solidify within the microscopic nozzles if the printer sits idle for even a few days. This creates a physical barrier that prevents ink from flowing evenly onto the paper, resulting in horizontal white streaks or "washed out" colors despite the cartridges being brand new.

This often happens even with new cartridges if the protective plastic tape wasn't fully removed or if the printer's internal priming sequence failed to fully saturate the nozzles during installation. To confirm this is the issue, print a "Printer Status Report." If you see missing segments of color in the solid blocks of ink, the nozzles are partially clogged. If the colors are completely absent, you may have an air lock in the cartridge or a faulty chip on the HP 67 cartridge itself.

How to Fix It

Since the printhead is part of the cartridge, the goal is to force the ink through the nozzles using the internal pump system or manual agitation. Follow these exact steps:

1. On the printer's control panel, press the Information (i) button to print a status page. This confirms which specific color (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, or Black) is streaking.
2. Open the HP Smart App on your connected PC or mobile device.
3. Navigate to Printer Settings > Tools > Print Quality Tools.
4. Select Clean Printheads. The printer will feed a page and perform a series of nozzle firings.
5. If the streaks persist, repeat the "Clean Printheads" process a second time. The second cycle uses a higher pressure burst to clear more stubborn debris.
6. If the issue is only with one cartridge, remove that specific HP 67 cartridge. Take a lint-free, damp paper towel (distilled water is best) and gently blot the gold-colored printhead nozzles on the bottom of the cartridge. Do not rub; simply press the nozzle against the damp cloth until you see a solid "stamp" of ink appearing on the towel.
7. Reinsert the cartridge and run one final alignment page to synchronize the nozzles.

If That Didn't Work

• The Damp-Tissue Soak: If the blotting method failed, place the problematic HP 67 cartridge nozzles-down into a shallow bowl containing 2mm of warm distilled water for exactly 10 minutes. This softens the dried ink "plugs" from the inside out. Dry the electrical contacts thoroughly with a microfiber cloth before reinstalling.
• Hard Reset the Electronics: While the printer is powered on, pull the power cord directly from the back of the unit. Unplug it from the wall outlet. Wait 60 seconds. Plug it back into a wall outlet (avoid surge protectors for this test) and restart. This forces the printer to re-initialize the ink delivery system.
• Verify Cartridge Authenticity: Ensure you are using genuine HP 67 or 67XL cartridges. Third-party "remanufactured" cartridges often have inconsistent ink viscosity or air bubbles trapped in the sponge, which causes permanent streaking that cannot be cleaned.
• Check Paper Settings: If you are using photo paper or heavy cardstock, go to the HP Smart App and change the Media Type from "Plain Paper" to the correct setting. Using the wrong setting can cause the printer to fire ink at the wrong rate, mimicking a clog.

Heads Up

• Avoid Idle Time: To prevent this from recurring, print at least one color page every two weeks. This keeps the ink from drying in the nozzles.
• Use Wall Outlets: Always plug the DeskJet 4155e directly into a wall socket. Power strips or old surge protectors can sometimes cause voltage drops that affect the printhead's firing consistency.
• Handle with Care: Never touch the gold copper contacts on the back of the HP 67 cartridges with your fingers; skin oils can cause connection errors and "Ink Cartridge Problem" messages.
• Storage: Keep the printer in a climate-controlled area. Extremely dry environments (like near a heater) accelerate the evaporation of ink in the nozzles.