Question 1

printer turns itself on randomly in the middle of the night for no reason.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The printer is receiving a network wake-up command. This is usually from its HP+ firmware or a computer/phone on the network checking for printer status. FIX Disable the automatic power management. On the printer's touchscreen, go to 'Settings' > 'Prgerät-Einstellungen' (or 'Printer Settings') > 'Auto-Off'. Set the timer to 'Off' or to its maximum delay. Also, turn off 'Auto-On' if the setting is present. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK It's likely an HP+ or HP Smart feature. If you enrolled in HP+, the printer periodically phones home. The only way to stop this is to leave the printer in 'Sleep' mode, which is less responsive, or disconnect it from Wi-Fi when not in use. HEADS UP This is normal behavior for connected HP+ printers and is not a defect. It can drain ink slightly faster due to occasional maintenance cycles.

Question 2

the touchscreen on my hp envy is frozen or not responding to taps.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS A software glitch in the printer's firmware. It's essentially a crashed computer that needs a hard reboot. FIX Perform a full power reset. Unplug the power cord from the back of the printer. Also, unplug the power brick from the wall outlet. Wait for 60 seconds. While unplugged, press and hold the power button on the printer for 15 seconds to drain residual power. Plug everything back in and turn the printer on. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The touchscreen digitizer may be faulty. As a last resort, you can try resetting the printer to factory defaults. Press and hold the 'Wireless' and 'Cancel' buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds while the printer is on. This will erase all network settings. HEADS UP A factory reset will delete all saved Wi-Fi passwords and custom settings. You will have to set up the printer again like it's new.

Question 3

prints have streaks or lines of missing color, cleaning cycles don't help.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS Clogged printhead nozzles. This is common if the printer sits unused for weeks. The ink dries in the microscopic nozzles. FIX Do not run more than 2 head cleanings in a row. Instead, run the printer's 'Printhead Deep Cleaning' utility from the control panel. This uses more ink but applies stronger pressure. After, print the 'Print Quality Report' from the same menu to check for improvement. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK You may need to manually clean the printhead contact. Power off, unplug, and remove the cartridges. Locate the printhead under the carriage. Dab a paper towel with distilled water, wring it out, and gently hold it against the nozzle plate for 60 seconds. Do not rub. HEADS UP Excessive automated cleaning wastes ink. If manual cleaning fails, the printhead is likely permanently clogged and requires replacement. HP does not recommend soaking this printhead.

Question 4

printer won't connect to wifi during setup, it just keeps searching forever.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The printer's wireless radio is conflicting with a common router setting. Most often, it's the Wi-Fi channel or band selection. FIX Temporarily change your router's 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi channel to a static channel between 1 and 11. Avoid Auto or channels 12-13. Also, ensure your network is not using a 5 GHz-only mode for setup, as this printer only uses 2.4 GHz. Run the wireless setup on the printer again after making the router change. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Use a USB cable for initial setup and driver installation. The HP Smart app can often push the correct network settings to the printer over USB, bypassing the touchscreen setup. HEADS UP WPS push-button connection is often unreliable with this model. Use the standard method where you select your network name and enter the password on the printer screen.

Question 5

keep getting 'cartridge problem' error on screen even with brand new hp ink.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The electrical contacts are dirty. This happens between the printhead and the cartridges or between the printhead and the printer. FIX Power on the printer and open the front door. When the cartridge carriage moves to the center, unplug the printer. Remove all ink cartridges. Use a clean, lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water to wipe the copper contacts on the cartridges and inside the carriage. Let everything air dry for 5 minutes. Reinstall cartridges firmly until they click, then plug the printer back in. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The printhead itself may be failing. Run the printer's built-in printhead cleaning utility 1-2 times from the control panel under 'Tools' or 'Printer Maintenance'. HEADS UP Do not use alcohol or abrasive wipes on the contacts. If the error persists after cleaning, one of the cartridges or the printhead is likely defective and needs replacement.

Question 6

my 7955e is making a loud grinding noise every time it tries to print or scan.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS A mechanical obstruction in the scanner carriage track. Dust, a paperclip, or hardened grease can cause the noise. FIX Unplug the printer. Open the scanner lid. Manually slide the scanner assembly (the black bar with the glass strip) from one side to the other. Feel for grit or binding. Use a cotton swab lightly dampened with water to clean the metal rail the carriage moves on. Dry it with a clean swab. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The scanning unit's drive belt may be slipping or misaligned. This requires partial disassembly to inspect. For most users, this is a service call. HEADS UP Never spray cleaner directly onto the rails or glass. Liquid can seep inside and damage the CIS scanner strip, which is very expensive to replace.

Question 7

printer says 'out of paper' but the tray is completely full, hp envy inspire 7955e.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The paper length sensor in the paper tray is dirty or the paper stack is misaligned. Dust or a small piece of torn paper can block the sensor. FIX Remove all paper from the tray. Use a can of compressed air to blow into the empty tray, focusing on the small rectangular sensor window at the back. Wipe the metal paper length guide with a dry cloth. Reload paper, making sure the stack is under the fill line and the guides are snug against the paper edges. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The paper pickup roller inside the printer is worn or dusty. Clean it with a lint-free cloth dampened with distilled water. You'll need to open the rear access door to see the rubber roller. HEADS UP Do not use alcohol or glass cleaner on the pickup roller. It will degrade the rubber and make the problem worse.

Question 8

my new hp envy 7955e printer just flashes 'E' on the screen and won't do anything, what's that?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The printer has an initialization error during its first power-up. This is almost always caused by the packing materials not being fully removed. FIX Turn the printer off and unplug it. Open the front door and the rear output tray. Remove the ink cartridge access door. Look for and pull out all blue plastic tabs and orange tape. There are usually tabs inside the cartridge carriage area and tape securing the printhead. Plug the printer back in and power it on. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The printhead carriage might be mechanically stuck from shipping. With the printer off, gently move the cartridge carriage from side to side by hand to ensure it moves freely, then try powering on again. HEADS UP Never force the carriage. If it doesn't move easily, a component inside is likely broken and you need to contact HP support for a replacement.

HP ENVY Inspire 7955e All-in-One Printer

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